fp Turks and Caicos

Starting Monday, Jan. 24, the Potcake Place now has an actual place to call home.

Founded in 2005, the non-profit organization that places Potcake puppies in loving homes will open its first shop as part of a joint effort with veterinarian Dr. Mark Woodring.

The full-time local resident, Woodring has been caring for animals in the Turks and Caicos Islands for the past 27 years. This week he is moving his practice, Animal House, to the Saltmills Plaza in Grace Bay, generously sharing the location with the Potcake Place foundation.

“This is so wonderful for the Potcake Place,” an overjoyed founding Director Jane Parker-Rauw told the fp.

The completely volunteer organization works tirelessly to find homes for stray or unwanted Potcake puppies. Each year Parker-Rauw says thanks to generous kindhearted Potcake lovers, they are able to place between 400 and 500 puppies with a home, primarily in North America.

The new shared location will give the Potcake Place a place for those interested in learning more about adopting or transporting a pup to get more information. “We will also have a few pups in the store so people can actually see how amazing they are and interact with them to help decide if they want to give them a home,” Parker-Rauw explains.

The shop will also serve as a pet store, offering pet supplies such as food, collars, leashes and toys. Also for sale will be Potcake Place merchandise and foundation items with all proceeds going toward the Potcake Place.

“Feeding these pups is expensive for us, so this will go a long way to helping cover those costs until a home can be found,” she said. The money will also be used to pay for transportation of the pups when they make the journey to their new homes.
“We do not sell the puppies, but the airlines do charge us for putting them on the planes,” she said.

Through their Facebook page and working with other animal organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada, puppies are regularly adopted from the TCI. Most are carried by tourists, who act as couriers, taking the pups along on a flight back to their hometown where they are met by the new owners at the airport.

All potential adoptive parents are checked by the Potcake Place, which only gives Potcake Place pups to those who have previously had pets. “We verify references with their home veterinarian to make sure the puppies are going to a safe and happy home,” Parker-Rauw said.

The new Potcake Place shop will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Individuals can also make donations, both monetary or physical — such as towels to help clean and dry the found puppies — at the shop during its opening hours.

“We appreciate any and all donations made, which help us to save these wonderful pups lives,” Parker-Rauw said.

To find out how to help carry a puppy to a new home, donate or volunteer, visit www.potcakeplace.com.