The Humane Society of Grand Bahama

As one of thousands of people who have adopted a "Potcake" - a Bahamanian rescue dog - I am sharing the plight of an organization of which you've probably never heard.  Sadly, they do the lion's share of the work with homeless pets and pet overpopulation in and around Freeport.  They also have worked tirelessly over the past few years to help dogs escape the island and make a long, arduous flight (with the help of countless volunteers) to the US, where animal rescue groups from around the country help find them homes.  Today, they find themselves needing our help.  All of us.  Every one of us who cares about the world's pets.  Even a few dollars will help.  More money will help even more.  Recurring contributions help the most.  Here is the news I read today that led me to create this GoFundMe request and ask you (yes, you) to help them.

"The Humane Society of Grand Bahama (HSGB) is one of the oldest non profit organizations on this island, founded in 1968.  As the human population of Grand Bahama has grown, we have also grown, from a small charity that helped a few animals in need, to the largest animal shelter in the Bahamas.  Last year we took in almost 1,500 unwanted, abandoned, abused or neglected animals from the Grand Bahama community.  

We have done our best to alleviate animal suffering, nuisance animals, stray and roaming animals on this island and we are proud of what we have accomplished.  At just the time we should be working even harder to achieve a lasting difference, we find ourselves in the untenable situation of being unable to continue operating. 

The Grand Bahama Port Authority funds us to a certain extent in exchange for us providing animal control services within the bonded area of Freeport.  Over the last several years they have reduced their contributions for our services to the point where we can no longer provide the same level of service.  The Bahamas Government has never provided one penny towards the work we do and they provide no animal services on Grand Bahama.  In most developed nations, animal control is considered a responsibility of government.

We have reached out on numerous occasions over the last fifteen years to the Bahamas Government, including a number of meetings and correspondences just in the last year with the Ministry for Grand Bahama; all to no avail.  We are able, qualified, and committed to do the work needed in a compassionate, humane manner; we just need funding whether from within the community, or from the Government, or both.   

Pet over population is a community problem – we need the community to help us solve it.

How can you help? Please write or call your elected officials and urge them to support Government financial assistance for the HSGB, and to enact the Animal Protection and Control Act of 2010, so long overdue, and consider import restrictions for breeding dogs.  We also need more of the community to support us – donate, volunteer, adopt, and attend our fundraisers.  Be responsible pet owners, spay and neuter your pets, and commit to them for life."