Operation Puppylift - Help us save 50 lives
Tax deductible
OPERATION PUPPYLIFT IS IN JEOPARDY…HELP US SAVE 50 LIVES!
Many of our supporters know that over the last 16 or so years, we have sent several thousand deserving potcakes and “notcakes”, both adults and puppies, and even some potcats, to reputable compassionate rescue partners in the U.S. and Canada. We have never looked at this as a long term solution to our island’s pet overpopulation problem but rather a way to save a few more lives while we also work hard on spay/neuter and humane education.
We have an urgent need to get as many dogs and puppies out this month as possible. (Read further for more details.) We are aiming to save 50 lives (Please see update as of July 15th, below) and the cost would be approximately $100 each. Will you help us raise $5000?
The Humane Society of Grand Bahama has been working hard on Grand Bahama for over 50 years. We have never received a penny from the Bahamas Government, despite finally having a subvention allocated to HSGB in the government budget three years ago. We have been and still are the only animal welfare agency/shelter on this island. The government opened a “canine control unit” here two years ago, but they have nowhere to house animals and are doing nothing to assist with spay/neuter and education. The relatively few animals they pick up are euthanized immediately. This is not going to solve any problems. It is an antiquated approach to “animal control”. Meanwhile, we are still taking in over 1200 animals per year.
Our successful field spay/neuter clinics, whereby we had visiting volunteer vets come in for a week at a time, at their own expense, to sterilize 250-400 animals in a weeks’ timeframe, in the “out” areas with the most need, were shut down some years ago by the Department of Agriculture. Thanks to the objections of some Bahamian vets who evidently thought money was being taken out of their pockets and said they could do all the spay/neuter needed. We are still waiting for those vets to put on even one week long clinic in West End, or Eight Mile Rock, or Pinders Point, or East End.
Our Operation Puppylift has also been subject to more and more restrictions by the Department of Agriculture over the last five years.
One more disheartening blow. Our long time air cargo carrier, GB Express, has announced they must shut down their entire 22 year old business due largely to ever increasing costs. Restrictive, economy-strangling policies that have been put in place over the last few years via Bahamas Customs and Ministry of Finance is causing our ally to close its doors as of July 31st.
GBX is the only local air freight company we are aware of that 1) had an export license and therefore could fly our precious animals, 2) had spacious enough, properly configured aircraft that could safely carry animals, 3) were WILLING to carry animals, 4) would bring our used crates back at no cost to us, 5) were able to refrigerate and get our perishable medical supplies to us in a timely manner, and 6) have just been a fantastic company to work with for both our import and export needs.
Not having had a minute yet to explore whether any other companies can provide these same services for us, we are naturally hoping and trying to get as many dogs and puppies out as we can before the GBX planes stop flying for good.
Our rescue partners in NY and FL are stepping up and we are so grateful. Here’s where we need your help. Normally we fly dogs via Delta Cargo if they need to go further than Florida. This time of year, heat embargoes make it unsafe, and impossible. Our New York rescue partner has been so awesome to offer to take 20 of our potcakes. We have found a reputable ground transport company to drive them to NY from FL but even with a rescue discount the cost is going to be $2700. There will also be a cost to transport all these dogs to Florida, plus the vetting needed. We would be so incredibly grateful for help with this literally lifesaving effort.
Donations can be made directly at the shelter at www.hs-gb.org or via our U.S. foundation partner, The Kohn Foundation at www.thekohnfoundation.org. Please designate that your donation is for this urgent puppy lift. Thanks for your support.
Many of our supporters know that over the last 16 or so years, we have sent several thousand deserving potcakes and “notcakes”, both adults and puppies, and even some potcats, to reputable compassionate rescue partners in the U.S. and Canada. We have never looked at this as a long term solution to our island’s pet overpopulation problem but rather a way to save a few more lives while we also work hard on spay/neuter and humane education.
We have an urgent need to get as many dogs and puppies out this month as possible. (Read further for more details.) We are aiming to save 50 lives (Please see update as of July 15th, below) and the cost would be approximately $100 each. Will you help us raise $5000?
The Humane Society of Grand Bahama has been working hard on Grand Bahama for over 50 years. We have never received a penny from the Bahamas Government, despite finally having a subvention allocated to HSGB in the government budget three years ago. We have been and still are the only animal welfare agency/shelter on this island. The government opened a “canine control unit” here two years ago, but they have nowhere to house animals and are doing nothing to assist with spay/neuter and education. The relatively few animals they pick up are euthanized immediately. This is not going to solve any problems. It is an antiquated approach to “animal control”. Meanwhile, we are still taking in over 1200 animals per year.
Our successful field spay/neuter clinics, whereby we had visiting volunteer vets come in for a week at a time, at their own expense, to sterilize 250-400 animals in a weeks’ timeframe, in the “out” areas with the most need, were shut down some years ago by the Department of Agriculture. Thanks to the objections of some Bahamian vets who evidently thought money was being taken out of their pockets and said they could do all the spay/neuter needed. We are still waiting for those vets to put on even one week long clinic in West End, or Eight Mile Rock, or Pinders Point, or East End.
Our Operation Puppylift has also been subject to more and more restrictions by the Department of Agriculture over the last five years.
One more disheartening blow. Our long time air cargo carrier, GB Express, has announced they must shut down their entire 22 year old business due largely to ever increasing costs. Restrictive, economy-strangling policies that have been put in place over the last few years via Bahamas Customs and Ministry of Finance is causing our ally to close its doors as of July 31st.
GBX is the only local air freight company we are aware of that 1) had an export license and therefore could fly our precious animals, 2) had spacious enough, properly configured aircraft that could safely carry animals, 3) were WILLING to carry animals, 4) would bring our used crates back at no cost to us, 5) were able to refrigerate and get our perishable medical supplies to us in a timely manner, and 6) have just been a fantastic company to work with for both our import and export needs.
Not having had a minute yet to explore whether any other companies can provide these same services for us, we are naturally hoping and trying to get as many dogs and puppies out as we can before the GBX planes stop flying for good.
Our rescue partners in NY and FL are stepping up and we are so grateful. Here’s where we need your help. Normally we fly dogs via Delta Cargo if they need to go further than Florida. This time of year, heat embargoes make it unsafe, and impossible. Our New York rescue partner has been so awesome to offer to take 20 of our potcakes. We have found a reputable ground transport company to drive them to NY from FL but even with a rescue discount the cost is going to be $2700. There will also be a cost to transport all these dogs to Florida, plus the vetting needed. We would be so incredibly grateful for help with this literally lifesaving effort.
Donations can be made directly at the shelter at www.hs-gb.org or via our U.S. foundation partner, The Kohn Foundation at www.thekohnfoundation.org. Please designate that your donation is for this urgent puppy lift. Thanks for your support.
Fundraising team: Tip Burrows, Corenthea Johnson (2)
Ellen Kohn
Organizer
Santa Fe, NM
The Kohn Foundation
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
Tip Burrows
Team member
