Dogs and Cats of Antigua - US Inc

Each year, 15-20 hurricanes or tropical storms form and make landfall in the Caribbean. Since breaking ground on our Sanctuary in 2020, we have luckily avoided a significant storm, experiencing only minor damage and flooding from Fiona and other storms. However, it is only a matter of time before Antigua & Barbuda is faced with a catastrophic storm, and we want to make sure that our animals are safe and protected when that happens.

Our Hurricane and Isolation Unit is a critical next step to completing the Sanctuary. This facility will provide safe haven for our entire animal population should a hurricane or tropical storm hit the island. Additionally, the building will be used year-round as an isolation unit for incoming animals, as well as young puppies or animals that may be sick, injured, or otherwise need to be quarantined.

Building a structure like this comes with a significant expense, but we owe it to our animals to construct a safe and sturdy building. Our hope is to raise the funds in the first half of 2023, and break ground on the structure as soon as we have raised $10,000 USD. From there, we will continue fundraising in order to complete the hurricane and isolation unit, ideally before the start of the 2024 hurricane season.

Your support will allow us to not only safeguard the lives of our animals in the instance of a hurricane, but take in more animals year-round, as well as provide safe haven for ill or injured animals.

It has been a difficult time at The Dogs and Cats of Antigua Rescue and Wellness Sanctuary recently, as we have been battling an outbreak of canine parvovirus. Unfortunately, we have lost several puppies to the disease and all rescue admissions have been suspended until this can be resolved.

 

Parvovirus resides in the soil and is not easily eradicated, potentially returning at any time. The only feasible solution is to resurface the puppy enclosure with reinforced concrete, which prevents the virus from taking hold. The enclosure surface can then be easily washed down and sanitised on a regular basis. This will facilitate a safe and clean environment for the puppies to play and learn social skills.

In addition, our staff and volunteers have undergone training from a leading animal rescue organization to reinforce sanitation and disease prevention/control protocols, in addition to intake quarantine procedures. While this is a tragic situation, we are determined to learn and ensure that future residents of our puppy area are safe and healthy. 

 

Costs for these essential works are estimated to be $6,000 USD. In addition to the surfacing work, these funds will allow us to finish concrete and fencing around our sink; work to complete our soakaway; and adding adequate drainage and sun shades for the puppies. Most importantly, this will enable The Sanctuary to reopen its doors to new rescue admissions.

This project cannot proceed without your support, and your generous donation will enable The Sanctuary to continue the good work it has begun.

 

 

Dogs and Cats of Antigua is a 501(c)3 animal rescue and wellness organization operating out of St. John’s Antigua. Our mission is to create a network of likeminded individuals across the island to assist animals in distress and increase the welfare and protection of dogs and cats on the island, through feeding, veterinarian assistance, spay and neutering, fostering and rehoming. We are also dedicated to educating proper animal care, stopping animal abuse, and promoting healthy and positive human and animal relationships to people of all ages and backgrounds. To learn more, visit www.dogsandcatsofantigua.com

Bryden's Puppy Park Today:

Help us airlift 25 abandoned puppies from Antigua to the US to give them a second chance at life.

My name is Giorgia and I learned about the wide-spread problem of dog abuse while sailing in the Caribbean with my family. We adopted a rescued pup named Tiga, who turned out to be an amazing, affectionate, smart, and athletic dog. After working with the non-profit, Dogs & Cats of Antigua, I was inspired to do more, so I'm raising enough funds to airlift 25 pups. Their 'Freedom Flight' leaves mid-November - it costs $350 per pup to secure a spot on Amerijet, plus $250 for the broker. Once the 25 pups land in the US they will be transported to their 'fur-ever homes' through volunteers and other non-profits.

Interested in adopting a puppy from Antigua? Want to learn more about the organizations I'm working with?

Check out my website:  Antigua Puppy Project

Your donation means so much to me -- I have a huge passion for dogs and it's my dream to rescue these animals so they'll have a better life. Once the funds are raised I'll be assisting Dogs & Cats of Antigua with additional rescue efforts. Thank you so much!