fp Turks and Caicos

Seventeen dogs in the Middle Caicos village of Conch Bar received vaccinations and new collars and leashes recently as the community tries to get a handle on its puppy population.

The wild dogs in Conch Bar gave birth to 20 puppies in January, and everyone knew it was beyond time to sort things out. Children and adults came together March 11 and brought their dogs for vaccinations, medicine and pet education, thanks to support from Doris Robinson Primary School Prinicipal Ms. Mills, good dog neighbours Howard and Cheryl Gibbs, Daniel’s Café and the Turks and Caicos Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The TCSPCA showed up with posters, brochures, medicine and vaccinations. Dr. Richard Sefcik, TCSPCA volunteer veterinarian, calmed all sizes of dogs, Val Rissi filled in the necessary forms, Bruce Rissi served the cake, and TCSPCA Executive Director Susan Blehr made sure all the kids listened about dog care, regular food and water, with lots love and affection.

The effort stressed the message that pets must be properly cared for and that something must be done to both prevent more puppies and to reduce the wild dogs. The TCSPCA hopes the government will soon approve and enact the new proposal for TCSPCA to begin regular programs to spay/neuter pets or adoptable animals and to kindly euthanize the rest.

The Environmental Health Department responsible for feral dogs has no animal control officers for North or Middle Caicos, so the TCSPCA proposal offers tremendous potential help in this frustrating and sad situation.

But Middle Caicos is moving forward with its new dog registry and promises of more dogs to come for registration and vaccination. Next is a plan for a spay/neuter clinic on Middle Caicos in late May, along with a check up for all the dogs registered on March 11.

Anyone wishing information or wanting to help should contact the TCSPCA at 231-3052 or 941-8846.

Vaccinations and registration

Owner -- Dog
Shanique Been -- Lily
Antoine Arthur -- Shoe Shy
Ashantye Arthur -- Angel
Damekio Been -- Lashes
Aneil Lightbourne -- Shandy
Richea Robinson -- Chico
Demetria Harvey -- Tico
Sara Kaufman -- Poopsie
Devon Forbes -- Beavis
Dolphus Arthur -- Mitch
Dolphus Arthur -- Misty
Lasean Neat -- Snoop
Zeno Forbes -- Taz
Kim Taylor -- Cassidy
Kyano Robinson -- Nemo
Kyano Robinson -- Rova
Dolle Castillo -- Benjie