The Cayman Islands Humane Society has broken ground at the site of its new, modern animal shelter.
The cluster of buildings will replace cramped and ageing premises near the roundabout by AL Thompson’s in George Town, home to the society since 1997.
Barbara Padega, president of the Humane Society, said the new headquarters, on Captain Reginald Parsons Drive in West Bay, would make a huge difference to the charity.
She added, “This building will be more than just walls and roofs. This building will provide spacious, well-ventilated, clean, modern, state-of-the-art accommodation for dogs and cats.”
The building, set in about 17 acres of land willed to the society by long-time supporter Ardyth Smith, who died in 2016, will feature the first separate accommodation for dogs and cats, an administration and educational building and plenty of space for animals to exercise.
Padega said, “We will have on site a veterinary clinic with everything we need to provide the best possible care for our animals.”
The new shelter will also feature a rehabilitation centre for animals recovering from injury, a quarantine section for dogs and cats that are ill, and an area for animals that have been traumatised and need specialist handling.
Padega said the new site would ensure that dogs and cats in the society’s care could “not just survive, but thrive”.
She was speaking on Saturday, 15 Nov., as Gary Rutty, the deputy premier, and Jay Ebanks, the minister responsible for agriculture, helped celebrate the construction.
Padega said, “We know that giving our animals a better facility will make a world of difference to their outcomes, we know this.
“But this project is not just about what it means for the animals. It’s about what it means for our people, our community, for our families and for the next generation growing up on these islands.”
She said the charity was “privileged” to receive support from the young people and school groups who donated cash or equipment or worked as weekend volunteers to help care for animals.
Padega added, “When you talk to these young people who come to our organisation, you realise something really important – they’re not just helping the animals. They are, but what they’re doing is developing empathy, they are expressing their responsibility and their willingness to do something for someone other than themselves.
“These are incredibly powerful life skills these young people have and exhibit when they come to the society.”
She said that youngsters also learned that their own actions could make a difference.
Padega added, “It’s a physical reminder that Cayman is at its best when we look after the most vulnerable among us.”
Rutty, an animal lover, said the society had moved from “the little spot they had” to “the Ritz-Carlton of animal care”.
He added the National Coalition for Caymanians was keen on animal welfare and that further legislation to protect animals was in the pipeline.
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17 acres of land, in any economy, is quite valuable and a most generous donation. Thanks to Miss Ardyth Smith, a born and bred Caymanian of blessed memory. I remember her big pink Oldsmobile and her always-impeccable attire well.
Yet there are haters who falsely claim Caymanians don’t support charities.
This is amazing! Hopefully they will incorporate a dog park for owners of Cayman dogs that can come and mingle with the dogs at the humane society and maybe even adopt one.
OMG. A wonderful new home for our dearest 4 legged friends, and those dedicated to their well being. As a previous home owner on Cayman, I always became distressed at the conditions of the old building. It’s way past time that recognition of the needs of the Humane Society finally are met. I often donated to the Society, but it really didn’t amount to anything , and that was my personal frustration. Perhaps now, employees/vets of the shelter can now have time to also focus on neutering, spaying, and recognizing the problems of backyard breeders, and over breeding. These are living beings, and it’s time that fundamental philosophy is recognized. Good luck to all those volunteers, workers, directors, philanthropists who are making the new facility a reality. I am so overjoyed.