Want to step up your exercise while helping a good cause? The Cayman Islands Humane Society is always looking for volunteers to help walk the shelter dogs.
“Dog walking gives the dogs a much-needed break from their kennels,” says Saskia Salden, volunteer and board member.
“They are cooped up in there day after day and they look forward to getting out and about and sniffing around.”
The not-for-profit organisation has about 20 core volunteer dog walkers, who mainly come out at the weekend.
“We would love to see more people volunteer and walk dogs during the week,” she says. “The dogs love going for walks and interacting with volunteers, who give them much-needed attention and affection.”
People can walk the dogs or let them run off-leash in a gated play area near the shelter. They can also take them out to romp on the beach or explore other areas of the island, which helps expose the shelter dogs to different environments and situations. Volunteers can sign up online or fill out a form at the shelter.
“We always need dog walkers as the shelter is always full and a handful of volunteers cannot walk the 70-plus dogs we have on average,” says Saskia.
Feedback and photos from volunteers help shelter staff promote the dogs on social media, as well as help find a match for adoptions or foster homes.
“The more we know about the dogs, the more chances they have to get adopted,” she says.
BEACH TRAINING
Another option is to take a dog to the beach for training. A volunteer group takes shelter animals to Public Beach in West Bay every Sunday starting at 10 a.m. for an hour of training and playing on the beach.
The programme, led by a professional dog trainer, helps the pooches learn basic commands and socialise with other dogs, which boosts their chance of adoption. Dog walking and beach training is not only for residents but visitors as well.
“Sometimes we have cruise ship tourists visit the shelter or visitors to the island come and walk dogs because they miss their own dogs at home,” says Saskia.
“We love this and welcome them all.”
OVERSEAS ADOPTIONS
California residents Gary and Sharon Kerr and their two children, Preston and Gianna, are regular visitors to the island, and take time out to give shelter dogs a break.
“It is a fantastic, rewarding feeling being able to give them a little freedom for a few hours,” says Gary. “But very sad taking them back again.”
One lucky pup never made it back. On a 2019 visit to Cayman, the family took out shelter puppy Princess – and she stole their hearts.
The puppy, now named Latte, was scheduled to fly out to a rescue partner in Tampa. Gary arranged to fly the pup to California, and after they returned home, he flew out to Tampa to bring the pup back.
“The actual adoption process for us was a breeze,” he says. “When I showed up, I was made to feel so welcome. Everyone could not have been nicer.”
Saskia says the Humane Society is always happy to help overseas residents fly a furry friend home – as well as play matchmaker for those on-island.
To volunteer and for further information, visit caymanhumane.org.
This article originally appeared in What’s Hot winter issue 2023/2024.
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