Some 80% of shelter animals evacuated last month- BVI Humane Society
Many animals died, including horses, donkeys and cattle. Some left the VI with their owners and others were left at the Territory’s only privately run facility for abandoned pets, stray and wild animals, the BVI Humane Society.
Following Hurricane Irma, the animal shelter located in Johnson’s Ghut on the main island of Tortola was left crushed and roofless and many of the animals died or disappeared. The shelter management was lucky that because of strong networking with international animal rescue organisations many of the animals left at the shelter before and immediately after the Hurricanes last year were sent overseas.
Shelter struggled to stay open last month; Most animals evacuated
Today, the roof of the animal shelter has been restored, thanks to volunteers and private donations; however, because of lack of financial support to feed the animals and pay full-time caretakers, it has been a struggle.
Therefore, because of the ongoing challenges, some 80 percent of all animals at the shelter were evacuated on March 23, 2018, and sent to Florida, USA.
With the growing cost of food, water and electricity, the animal shelter was no longer in a position to take care of the remaining animals. In addition, it was having difficulty finding homes locally for the abandoned animals and residents who could no longer afford or had the space to take care of their pets brought them to the shelter, according to Vijay Bissoondutt, the animal shelter manager.
However, there are a small number of dogs and cats left, along with a rare non-native chinchilla brought to the animal shelter by someone who had it as a pet. Recently, one of the cats gave birth to some kittens.
No Government support
Mr Bissoondutt mentioned raising funds from services offered at the shelter where animal owners can have their pets spayed, along with some other limited veterinary services. In addition, he was pleased that many of the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) students came to the animal shelter as volunteers.
Governments over the years (both NDP and VIP) have not supported the BVI Humane Society and all monies have come from private contributions.
It remains unclear with the lack of funding, how much longer the only place on the island for stray and abandoned animals will remain open.
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