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From thebahamasweekly.com - Service Organizations
The Humane Society of Grand Bahama (HSGB) wishes to advise that they is in dire straits. The following is a message by Ivy Eldon of the Humane Society: We are currently housing approximately 350 dogs and puppies...all in good health (or being nursed back to health) and with wonderful dispositions...just awaiting a "forever home". Even with this many animals (I have not even listed the cats and kittens), we are still at a very high rate of euthanasia. Part of this problem can be directly attributed to the economy, as we are seeing more and more animals released to us because their owners can no longer care for them. But it is also partly due to the fact that there are still so many people who will not have their animals spayed or neutered (a free service through us)and allow them to breed indiscriminately. Through no fault of their own, these animals wind up at our shelter (if they are lucky) where they are vaccinated, medicated, spayed or neutered, fed and housed, while they await possible adoption. Some people say "just put them down", but then we would be simply an "animal control" organization, with no concern for these innocent animals, who ask so little of us and offer such loyalty and companionship in return. We are deeply grateful to the GBPA who are our only corporate supporters; they reimburse our salaries, National Insurance, utilities and maintenance. However, those items account for only 50% of our costs and I list below the average non-reimbursed expenses we face every month (I serve as Treasurer, so I know first hand!). Animal Food 10,500.00 Cleaning Supplies 2,600.00 Veterinary Services 1,500.00 Medicine, Medical Supplies 3,760.00 & Flea/Tick Prevention Kennel Supplies 1,650.00 Office & General Supplies 930.00 Vehicle Fuel & Maintenance 1,350.00 Telephone 1,200.00 The income we generate through fundraising, adoptions, donations and store sales (yes, we have a little retail store!) comes nowhere near covering these costs, and every month, we sink deeper and deeper into debt. Our appeal to private corporations for assistance has had little effect, and of course the government offers no assistance of any kind. I appeal to you, as individuals who believe (I hope!) in the work we do, to consider pledging a monthly sum to the HSGB...no matter how small. For instance, $10.00 can feed 8 -10 animals for one day. It doesn't have to be a large sum, but it does need to be consistent, so that we can count on receiving that sum every month. You may not be in a position to afford even $10.00 on a monthly basis; if not, please feel free to forward this to your friends or relatives who can afford it...and thereby help us to continue our work with Grand Bahama's unwanted, neglected and abused animals. And the next time you consider adding a dog to your family....please...avoid the breeders! You would amazed by how many of their "progeny" wind up on our doorstep! Visit us instead, and adopt one of our beautiful animals. Thank you so much for your consideration...I may be reached at 242-727-0811, 688-3160 or 350-7604 if you want further information. I would be happy to talk with you. Gratefully yours, Ivy Eldon
THE HUMANE SOCIETY
OF GRAND BAHAMA NEEDS YOUR HELP!
Since moving into our new shelter one year ago, we have seen an alarming increase in the number of animals we are asked to take in. In 2008, we took in 1290 pets.
We are on pace to
receive close to 2000 pets for 2009.
18 months - 2196 pets received. 732 saved – 328 adopted locally, 290 abroad, 114 reclaimed by owners. 400 currently housed in our shelter and in need of forever homes.
1064 lives lost
through no fault of their own.
Did you know? The Humane Society of Grand Bahama: …was established in 1968. … is not a government agency. … is a registered, non-profit, charitable organization. …. does not receive government funding of any kind. … is the only group working to solve Grand Bahama’s animal problems. …our intake is comprised of 87% dogs and 13% cats.
…at least 15% of
our dogs are pure-bred.
The HSGB contracts with the Grand Bahama Port Authority to provide “Animal Control” within the bonded area.
Unfortunately our
animals know no boundaries.
Despite our beautiful
new building, made possible entirely through the generosity of a very
few kind individuals, the HSGB is in dire straits.
We face a shortfall every month of approximately $12-15,000;
this represents our
costs for pet food; medicines and medical supplies; cleaning supplies;
and gas, maintenance and repairs for our old vehicles.
What can you do to help?
DONATE – money,
food, services, or volunteer your time!
BECOME A MEMBER (see attached form) BE RESPONSIBLE – spay and neuter your pets - it’s free!
Take care of your
pets and treat all animals with kindness.
STOP BREEDING!
It might be months or years before one of your pups ends up in our shelter,
but trust us, more than a few are ending up here.
REPORT ANIMAL CRUELTY!
You can remain anonymous while helping to save a life. We need
the eyes of the public!
ADOPT! Our fees are reasonable; and we guarantee the health of our pets. All we require is you treat them like a member of
your family and give
them loving care for the rest of their lives.
Every puppy sold or bought means one less home
for a deserving shelter
dog...one more life lost.
Most people are horrified at extreme animal cruelty and neglect.
We thank those of
you who care enough to report it, and thank those of you who take care
of your own pets and care about all of God’s creatures.
Many people avoid
these sights. We don’t have that luxury. We do our best
to give the most hopeless sad animals a second chance.
We try to show them
that not all humans are evil, and give them love and comfort. The sickest,
most abused and neglected animals still have amazingly trusting, hopeful
hearts and spirits. The weak thumping of a dog’s tail or attempt
at purring by a cat shows us they have not lost faith in humans despite
what humans have done to them. If we can’t save them, they will know
tenderness from humans even if only at the end of their life.
They only want to
love us; all they ask is to be loved in return and cared for, as they
depend on us. The magnitude of their trust is humbling.
Please help us help
them.
Our ability to
continue our work is in serious jeopardy.
Please call 352-2477 or email info@hs-gb.org , or visit us on Coral Road. Even the smallest donations would be gratefully received.
“We must fight
against the spirit of unconscious cruelty with which we treat the animals.
Animals suffer as much as we do. True humanity does not allow
us to impose such sufferings on them. It is our duty to make the
whole world recognize it. Until we
extend our circle of compassion to all living things, humanity will
not find peace.” – Albert Schweitzer
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