Dear Editor, exposing hypocrisy at animal welfare groups

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Dear Editor,

I write with a pained heart to expose the hypocrisy of some of the so-called humanitarian organizations which claim they love animals and look out for their well-being. I write against the backdrop of the vitriolic, caustic and downright hateful remarks made by some in that community against a certain artiste who posted a Facebook post in which he was seen burning an already dead dog. The comments against his life were atrocious and hateful to say the least. But on to my own story.

A few days ago, I discovered that a stray cat had delivered a kindle of kittens in my yard. There were three kittens in the kindle, and the mother had disappeared abandoning her kittens. Two of the kindle were healthy kittens and one was lame with some kind of injury to both of its hind legs. Due to the fact that I am a cancer survivor, who is allergic to pet dander, I immediately called the Humane Society to have them keep the kittens until some cat lover could adopt them. I did not realize that I would be met with so much stone-walling and excuses from ALL the organizations that claim to love animals, some seemingly loving animals more than people based on their hateful comments on that Facebook post.

The Humane Society initially indicated that they were full and could not keep the kittens, so I would have to keep them until they had space. The Dogs and Cats of Antigua also had an excuse: they had had a ring worm outbreak at their facility and could not keep them. The PAAWS stated that they were full and did not do that sort of thing but I could put up a picture on their Facebook page to see if someone would adopt them.

Of course, not one of these organizations took into consideration: a) these were stray kittens, not mine; b) I am allergic to pet dander and therefore could not keep the kindle; and c) their organizations touted their love and care for animals.

Eventually the two healthy kittens disappeared. During the interim, my daughter decided to feed and take care of the sick kitten. Every couple of seconds, we could hear that kitten cry out in pain and anguish. It was in desperate need of some attention. I again tried the Humane Society and was, at this point, assured that the kitten would be taken in once we got someone to treat its legs.

I called the Ark Veterinary Clinic for assistance and explained my situation. I was told that I would have to pay for the care of the kitten and that they did not have space to keep it after treatment. Treatment they said could cost upward of $500. I then called Pioneer Kennels seeking some assistance in that regard. They were happy to help and asked me to bring the kitten. When we got to Pioneer Kennels, a very kind young lady, I believe she was the receptionist, sought to call the Humane Society just to ensure that some space would be provided once they had treated the injuries. However, the HS representative, once again stated quite coldly that they had no room in the Inn and that what they had originally told me was that they would “put down” all the kittens. I was appalled as I would never have agreed to that since the other two kittens had been healthy. What was more is that they said that this would require a donation. Ridiculous!

Eventually, seeing that no resolution would be reached on the future of this kitten, the young lady at Pioneer Kennels told me that based on the state of the animal they would have to “put it down” humanely.

I am simply writing to recount my very unpleasant, unhelpful, heartless and very cold contact with these organizations that publicly claim to “love” animals over people. The fact of the matter is that they feign public outrage over the burning of a dead dog but, off the social media platform, have no place in their hearts for kittens that were alive. Had Pioneer Kennels not offered their assistance and had my daughter and I not been so taken up with the well-being of this kitten, it would have died a very painful inhumane death.

My sincere appreciation to Dr. Radcliffe Robbins and his staff at Pioneer Kennels for their kind assistance. Kudos to you!

Jacqui

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7 COMMENTS

  1. Interesting that you say Dogs and Cats had an outbreak at their facility D&C of Antigua do not have a facility, instead they rely on foster homes provided by volunteers on island, of which they are incredibly short, especially at the moment.
    I don’t think your experience highlights hypocrisy but rather it highlights over stretched resources and a desperate need for fully a organised animal welfare system.

  2. You express outrage over so-called death threats toward the man who burned the dead dog, and whilst I am not supporting this, please note that you are taking what angry people said out of context and in anger; they were merely the result of very frustrated individuals venting on what they believed was a safe forum. Furthermore, you neglected to add that the man who posted this unpleasant video, did so on The Dogs and Cats Facebook page! What could possibly be gained by posting a negative and violently suggestive film on an animal welfare organisation’s social media?
    That the Dogs and Cats volunteers had no room, no fosters to take the kitten is testament to the sad state of animal welfare on island – not their shortcomings.
    Finally, you say that the group is hypocritical in being unkind to humans, how kind are you being by sending this letter which openly attacks the group and is not even accurate in its facts: Why didn’t you find out first more details before you jumped to conclusions? Why not seek answers rather condemn? The animals welfare groups work tirelessly and contribute their own resources, of time and resources, providing a home, either short or long term, for the myriad of stray dogs and cats which appears endless. Why not direct your condemnation at the situation and do something to rally government support, and both public and private resources to help end this crisis situation in Antigua.

  3. Mel, what are you talking about? Did David Edwards post to the page or did Joy share the video in order to condemn it. And why even after you state you don’t support the ‘so-called death threats’ (as you put it), you still ended up giving an excuse for them?

  4. I had the same experience with these so-called organization. I was walking in my village so i heard a bunch of puppies crying when i looked in between a fence i see 10 puppies. I mentioned them to my neibour, he told me that the mother of the puppies got knocked down by a car 2 days ago. I called all these so-called organization, each one told me that they do not have any space for them and that i should try feeding them with a recipe that they tried giving me. I just told my neibour what they said. Everything is about money making now a these days…. Just saying.

    • People don’t realize how huge the problem is .
      The organizations get calls every single day. No matter how hard we struggle, yes Struggle, to get enough people to Care and Volunteer, Struggle to pay people to help the almost ’80 in our (PAAWS)care, Struggle to stay awake after feeding yet another litter of kittens or puppies every two hours through the night, lovingly wrapped in the bath towel in the shower room next to my bedroom at home, because the shelter at PAAWS was full again.On top of all that Worrying where the money is going to come from to pay the next vet’s bill. This was my experience as a VOLUNTEER for PAAWS for 12 years. People need to start taking responsibility for their pets. Spay neuter is now also available through the Spay Neuter clinic, even for free to deserving cases. Don’t blame those who are over worked already Every one hates to say “sorry we’re full. But can’t do the impossible. I know, I’ve tried.

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