Royal Potcake Rescue USA, Inc.

Help Build a Safe & Permanent Shelter for Abaco’s Dogs

On Abaco Island in the Bahamas, stray and abandoned dogs are an overwhelming problem. For years, The Abaco Shelter has worked tirelessly to rescue, spay and neuter, provide assistance to local dog owners, and to educate the community about humane animal care.

But now, we need your help.

Our current facility sits on an old, abandoned dump site in Marsh Harbour, tucked in the middle of the bush. The area is unsecured, and fires break out there regularly, creating constant risk for the animals and volunteers. While we were generously given permission to use this land years ago through the efforts of the shelter’s original founder, “Pops” Weatherford, the property has never been owned by the shelter. This means we’ve always been limited in what improvements or expansions we could make.

The shelter grounds were badly damaged during Hurricane Dorian, but volunteers quickly pulled together and built a 140’ x 100’ fenced area to keep operations going. Since then, we’ve added a few more pens and reconfigured the space to take in as many dogs as possible. Even so, our growth is limited. Today, we’re caring for 59 dogs in just 26 pens—but the need on Abaco is far greater. With the additional land and a proper shelter, we have the capability of expanding, giving us the capacity to rescue, house, and care for many more dogs in need.

“Take a video tour below of where we are now: just two quarantine rooms for recovering or sick dogs, a makeshift kitchen, and limited space. Imagine what we can do for the dogs of Abaco once we build our permanent home.”

Some of the pens after a storm this year.

Why a New Shelter is Critical

Space & Safety: With only 26 pens, we’re at our limit. Growing to 50 pens initially will almost double the number of dogs we can save, and our ultimate goal of 100 pens will transform rescue on Abaco.

Exercise & Socialization: Currently, dogs only get out of their pens for short walks. With more runs and open space, they can exercise, play, and socialize—making them more adoptable.

Water & Electricity: We’ve only just gotten running water to the kitchen and quarantine rooms, but water must still be carried by buckets to each pen. A modern system would reduce daily labor and improve sanitation.

Secure Storage: Right now, food is stored in an old reefer to keep rats and bugs out. We urgently need proper storage for food, supplies, and medical equipment.

“Our only "somewhat" secure storage: an old reefer where we keep dog food safe from rats and bugs.”

Clinic Space: When vet teams travel from outside the Bahamas to run spay/neuter clinics, they do so in very limited conditions. An updated facility would give us the ability to host them more safely and effectively, allowing their skills and efforts to go even further.

❤️ “Visiting vets work miracles here, even with only folding tables and the supplies they carry in. With your help, we can give them the tools and space they need.”

“Prepping dogs for our free community clinic — 42 spay/neuters completed here, plus 51 more in partnership with Dr. Bailey. In 2025, our total so far: 93 animals altered and counting!”

Permanent Home: After years of petitioning the Bahamian government, the shelter was granted the chance to purchase 5 acres of land in a safe, non-flood zone. We are proud to share that this land is now fully ours — a permanent home where we can finally build the shelter that Abaco’s dogs deserve.

Our Vision: A Safe, Sustainable Shelter for Abaco

We’ve broken this project into three phases to make it achievable:

Phase 1: Infrastructure Groundwork – Perimeter Fence Installation

Goal: $50,000

Why it matters:

Phase 2: Shelter Construction (TBA)

Building permanent kennel blocks, medical and quarantine facilities, volunteer housing, and storage.

Phase 3: Sustainability & Outreach (TBA)

Programs to increase spay/neuter services, education, and island-wide community support.

Total Project Goal: $350,000

With your help, we can begin by securing the land with a storm-resistant perimeter fence and build from there.

Every dollar brings us closer to creating a safe haven for the stray and abandoned dogs of Abaco. Together, we can give them a chance—not just at survival, but at a future filled with love, health, and family.

Please donate today to help us build a permanent shelter.

If you can’t give, please share our story. The dogs of Abaco are counting on us—and we’re counting on you.

There are hundreds, if not thousands of success stories for the Royal Bahamian Potcakes, a mixed-breed street dog that inhabits the Bahamas. Once thought to be doomed to a life on the street, fighting for every morsel of food they could get, and searching for shelter during the threat of a hurricane, many of these loyal and loving pups now instead find themselves enjoying all the comforts of a loving home. This is made possible by the unwavering effort of a handful of volunteers at Abaco Shelter in Marsh Harbor, who work tirelessly to make it happen.

On average, the Abaco Shelter, operating under the 501 (c) 3, Royal Potcake Rescue USA, Inc. has been able to adopt 80-100 dogs/puppies and provide 98-115 spay and neuters, annually. They currently house, on average, 40 adult dogs who need daily care. The shelter also helps the local community by assisting with vet care for those who cannot afford the treatment.

Monetary donations are desperately needed to be able to continue operations. The money will be used for food, spay and neuter clinics, vaccines/medications, vet visits, transport for dogs, repair to dog shelters due to wear and tear or storm damage, and any of the other basic necessities needed to operate the shelter.

If we are able to raise $5,000 through this campaign, Craig Roberts, Bahama Beach Club, has generously offered to match the donations. Please won't you consider making a donation to this worthy cause and help the shelter get to its goal of $10,000? Your gift can make all the difference for these precious souls.