ANIMALS 360 FOUNDATION SUMMARY UPDATE

Transcription

1 ANIMALS 360 FOUNDATION SUMMARY UPDATE Volume 1 June 2017 ANIMALS 360 FOUNDATION INCORPORATED TRINIDAD AND TOBGO

2 The Animals 360 Foundation was incorporated in October 2014 with the primary purpose of promoting animal welfare best practices and supporting humane animal care and responsible animal ownership. We believe that animals have a right to the protection of man and to a life of dignity, free from unnecessary suffering. In this short period since incorporation the Foundation has embarked on many initiatives encompassing community outreach, field hospitals, rescue and adoption, spay and neuter and education while networking with the other animal welfare NGOs. During this time many supporters, sponsors and volunteers have contributed to our efforts. This summary update is dedicated to those sponsors, donors, volunteers and supporters to enlighten them on our activities and plans for the future. Our efforts could not be successful without their help and for this we are eternally thankful. We are proud of the relationships that we have developed with the other animal welfare groups including Animals Alive, Animal Welfare Network and TTSPCA and of any contribution that we have been able to make to their activities and appreciative of their contribution to our activities. The Dog Fair (for adoptions 2015) Two dog fairs were hosted in 2015 to provide a forum for all animal rescuers and animal welfare activist to show their animals for adoption. The Dog Fairs culminated in all best practices being followed including mandatory spay and neuter and home checks. The events were successful resulting in 42 adoptions over two days. Our activities and networking throughout 2015 were a learning experience for our young Foundation which brought a renewed focus as we witnessed the extent of homelessness and

3 suffering of our animals throughout the communities. Often saddened by the inhumane treatment of our animals but at other times grateful for the compassion of so many of our citizens who care for and protect our homeless animals. It was quickly apparent that we had to do more. We had to do more for the animals as well as the less fortunate who took it upon themselves to protect and care for our stray and homeless animals. The cost to spay and neuter these stray and homeless animals is often beyond what these compassionate citizens can afford and it was clear that this is where we needed to do more. Spay and neuter, after all, is the only solution to this stray and homeless animal population explosion. In conjunction with spay and neuter there was a need to develop an awareness in our people and pride in how we care for animals which would include dissemination of animal welfare best practices throughout the rural communities. In response to this need, in January 2016 Animals 360 Foundation launched its Animal Pride programme to focus on promoting animal wellness and pride in how we care for our animals. The programme was developed encompassing a team of Animal Ambassadors to visit communities nationwide assessing cases for animal welfare assistance, an education arm and a medical outreach capability to facilitate spay and neuter activities in the communities. The focus of the programme is to reach the citizenry, caretakers and protectors of homed and homeless

4 animals (dogs and cats) nationwide to promote animal welfare best practices and spay and neuter practices. From Diego Martin to Mayaro, Sangre Grande to La Brea and all points in between Animals 360

5 Animal Ambassadors have traversed the land to promote animal welfare and care for our nations animals. In the seventeen months since starting the Animal Pride programme 353 rescued, stray or homeless animals have been spayed / neutered. This will equate to a potential 5,000 plus, less stray and homeless animals roaming our communities in the next year. The programme is a daunting one which could not be achieved without the dedicated volunteers, contributors and sponsors to whom we are forever grateful. We acknowledge and thank all our contributors, volunteers and Corporate Sponsors Kaizan Sushi ; Zanzibar ; The National Gas Company ; Royal Bank ; Philippa Boutique Around and about our communities with the Animal Pride Programme

6 Maracas / Las Cuevas Field Hospital and Education Outreach: In May 2017, the Animals 360 Foundation was designated by the Tourism Development Company as the organisation to implement the Animal Health and Beach Stray Population Reduction

7 Project for the Maracas / Las Cuevas communities in collaboration with the Blue Flag National Coordinator. This followed the NGO s involvement in the project in June This comprised a two day field hospital and school outreach education programme. This year, the target of treating 50 animals was well exceeded. 54 dogs and cats were spayed / neutered and a further 32 animals treated (de-worming, treatment against ticks and fleas, vaccinated and treated for injury - open wounds etc.) during the two day field hospital (20 th and 21 st May). The project was preceded by a School outreach programme on May 19 th. engaging over 50 students from Standards 2-5 from the Las Cuevas Primary School. Students were taught the principles of animal welfare, responsible pet ownership and the importance of spaying and neutering their pets through interactive activities and activity books, materials courtesy of the Animal Welfare Network. (Photos this page). This community outreach programme could not have been successful without the generous support from VEMCO Limited, APR Associates, Pepsi-Cola Trinidad & Tobago, Alfred Bibby Company Ltd., A.B. Scientific and Medical Supplies Ltd., Bakery Treatz, APR Associates Ltd. and Ultra Graphics. In addition, volunteer support was crucial with 21 volunteers on Clinic day 1 including 7 vet students and 15 volunteers on Clinic day 2. Students of the Las Cuevas Primary School learning the principles of animal welfare

8 Images of the 2017 Maracas Las Cuevas Field Hospital -

9 Animals 360 Foundation is self-funded and the community outreach animal health, spay and neuter activities of the Animal Pride programme would not be sustainable without sponsors and donors. To encourage the participation of the wider citizenry, Animals 360 launched in 2016 programmes through which both individuals and corporations could participate and contribute in a meaningful way toward helping protect our stray and homeless animals INDIVIDUALS: CORPORATIONS: Spay-A-Stray This Year and Every Year Contribute $500 each year to spay one animal each year and contribute to reducing 512 stray and homeless animals in 3 years. Spay-A-Stray This Month and Every Month Contribute $5,000 each year to spay one animal each month and contribute to reducing 6,144 stray and homeless animals in 3 years. HELP STOP THE SUFFERING BEFORE IT BEGINS To support our field activities through either one of the above programmes call or animals360tt@gmail.com The Founder in the field with the Animal Pride Programme -

10 Dr. Gajadhar (L) and Dr. Deonanan (R) in the field for our Animal Pride Programme - Conclusion - Animal cruelty is a serious problem in Trinidad and Tobago and the solution to the problem is the responsibility of all the people. We believe that it is also the responsibility of the legislators to provide legislation that will be more effective in protecting against animal cruelty. To this end Animals 360 Foundation lobbies the Government to implement improved legislation that will be more effective in protecting against animal cruelty. This must include both prevention of cruelty and standards for care. In future summary updates we will delve more into the requirements of effective legislation. In the interim, Animals 360 Foundation remains committed to the betterment of animal welfare and we invite all to join our effort in protecting our animals and ensuring a life of dignity free from unneccessary suffering. Our Animal Pride programme will continue to work throughout our communities nationwide focussed on assisting the less privileged in the spaying and neutering of our rescued, stray and homeless animals. Spay and neuter after all is the only solution. Animals 360 Foundation Incorporated June Animals360tt@gmail.com