Elena's Post: Pets Bring Joy

I’ve seen a lot of animals in miserable conditions while travelling and volunteering for animal welfare projects but nowhere else have they touched my heart as much as in the Caribbean. Seeing an overpopulation of stray dogs and cats and not being able to find owners for them is one thing but seeing dogs and cats that have owners being neglected and abused by them is a whole other thing. It’s so sad and it makes me very angry. Why would people do something like that? There’s still a lot of education on animal rights and ethical treatment of animals to do on these islands. It’s not an easy thing to establish an animal welfare organization on an island like Saint Vincent but Kiersten Anderson and a group of volunteers did what no one else had dared to do before. I’m so grateful for the VSPCA and Kiersten’s incredible commitment to the project. She has achieved so much in only a few months and if we now spread the word about this wonderful project I’m sure with the help of new volunteers and donors she will be able to achieve even more! 

I’m from Germany but lived on Saint Vincent for about a year and was lucky to stay with a local family who has a great passion for animals. They have rescued dozens of stray dogs already and it’s very touching to see with how much love they care for their animals. It was great to be surrounded by so many happy dogs and cats. I wish there were more people like them in Saint Vincent. I’m sure there are but the sad reality is that there are just not enough! At least not yet! Hopefully the VSPCA and other initiatives will help to change the thinking of those who still believe that a pet is just an object that can be (ab)used and thrown away if not needed anymore. Hopefully one day they will be able to look into an animal’s eyes and find some love in their frozen hearts and realize that these are living beings which need our love and affection just as much as we need there’s. If you have pets and treat them right they will be loyal and devoted to you forever and bring immense joy and happiness to your life.

Elena-VSPCA Volunteer