As a charity, the Cayman Islands Humane Society relies wholly on the local community – for donations, volunteers and support.
We felt this reliance more so than ever last week with Hurricane Dean threatening our shores and we are proud to state the community did not let us down.
We wish to thank everyone who helped us and our homeless charges throughout this tense and testing time.
Local radio stations and television announced our pleas for temporary foster homes for our many animals and residents responded in droves to collect an unwanted animal to keep it safe for the storm.
Volunteers gathered at the shelter and helped staff prepare equipment, food and buildings for the oncoming weather and there were even volunteers washing dogs in readiness for their temporary homes.
These volunteers also had their own homes and families to prepare but devoted much of their time to help those who cannot help themselves.
Our animal shelter is prone to serious flooding; it was therefore imperative that no animal be left on the ground floor level for the hurricane.
Although there are many rumours surrounding the CIHS Hurricane Policy, it is not our policy to euthanize any animal when a major storm approaches; indeed we do everything within our powers to keep all our animals as safe as we possibly can, and to this extent preparations were made to the upper floors of the complex to house any animals not fostered out for the storm. Our shelter manager resides there alongside those animals.
However, law firm Appleby Spurling Hunter generously allowed the remaining dogs to occupy one of their lovely conference rooms in their hurricane-proof building, along with two shelter staff, making sure they were as safe as they could possibly be. We could not have asked for anything better.
All these acts of kindness are comforting to us at the Humane Society. They let us know the community supports us and our work, and it reassuringly proves that the Cayman Islands do care about their animals.
Board of Directors
Cayman Islands Humane Society
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