Big-hearted animal lovers are being urged to donate to a major fundraising drive to buy PAAWS (Protect Antiguan Animals with a Smile) dog and cat shelter an “animal ambulance”.
The long-running Parham-based charity hopes to raise EC$50,000 for a truck to help its four-legged residents access emergency vet care and general medical treatment.
“The shelter has no transport of its own to ferry our dogs and cats to and from vet services, leaving them reliant on the kindness of our hard-working staff and volunteers,” said PAAWS’ public relations officer Gemma Handy.
“We badly need a truck large enough to transport animal crates. This will mean we can help more sick, abandoned and abused dogs and cats in need – and access spay and neuter procedures to reduce the roaming population too.”
PAAWS is a friendly society – in operation since 1996 – and runs entirely on donations.
“Without the support of the community, PAAWS simply would not exist,” Handy said, adding: “We are hugely grateful to all of our donors and encourage everybody who wants to help make a difference to Antigua’s dogs and cats to dig deep for this cause.”
PAAWS recently underwent a management change and has a new board at the helm. Long-term Antiguan resident Lillian Baank, a dog groomer and kennel owner, has taken on the role of president. “I love working with dogs and wanted to better the lives of dogs living here,” she said.
New vice-president is Antiguan property manager Gareth Williams. Fellow board members include resort director Tim Juul, co-founder of the Antigua Spay and Neuter Clinic Hayley Baxter, businesswoman Claire Smith, Barbara Davidson, who works in the yachting industry, and journalist Gemma Handy.
“I wanted to help rebuild PAAWS as it’s been struggling for many years,” Baxter said.
“I hate to see lonely dogs on the street. We need to be their voice.”
Smith agreed, adding: “I want to help spread the word on how important it is for Antigua to show compassion for all animals and the positive impact that this would have on our country’s tourism.”
Heading the team of staff is PAAWS’ new shelter manager Rachel Wood.
To donate to the ‘animal ambulance’, visit www.paaws-antigua.com and follow the link to the ‘Just Giving’ page.
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