INTRODUCTION

The Anguilla Animal Rescue Foundation was registered as a “Friendly Society” under Anguillian Law in March of 2001 and has been active in the community since that time. AARF is an all-volunteer organization with no paid positions. The following is a report of AARF•s• activities during 2003.

HISTORY

A number of residents concerned about the welfare of animals in Anguilla, met in the fall of 2000 to form what is today the Anguilla Animal Rescue Foundation (AARF).

During the first two years, the organization focused on beginning an education program and fund raising activities to help support animal care and spay/neuter activities in Anguilla.

AARF also was responsible for caring for and finding suitable adoptable homes for Anguilla 's homeless animals. Where suitable housing could not be found, humane euthanasia was performed.

EDUCATION INITIATIVE

The AARF Education Committee made presentations at all the pre-schools during 2002 as well as local NGO•s• such as the Rotary Club. It was also responsible for presentations at Camp Be Aware, a summer program for school-age children. In May of 2003 the committee made presentations to the primary schools island-wide.

Presentations were age appropriate and included information on proper care and treatment of pets, vaccinations and preventative care such as heartworm and tick prevention, as well as how to avoid a dog bite. The program was assisted by an AARF rescue dog named Sarah.

Sarah showing her obedience skills for Valley Primary School Children

FUND RAISING

Volunteers have worked steadily to raise funds to support The Anguilla Animal Rescue Foundation•s• programs. AARF volunteers manned booths at local events including the Soroptimist Christmas Fair, The Agriculture Show, the ABC Flower Show, and on numerous occasions at the Post Office. The primary source of revenue was sales of merchandise showcasing the very popular AARF logo along with donated items such as raffle baskets for both dogs and cats, pet beds and various craft and “white elephant” items. During these drives volunteers promoted AARF and its programs, and encouraged membership in the organization.

Donation boxes were placed at various locations island-wide where persons wishing to contribute placed cash and coins.

AARF merchandise was also sold throughout the year at Bartletts Collection, a local gift shop popular with visitors to the island. AARF raised US$8,458.16 through these efforts.

Ann Brown, Chris Carty and Jacquie Connor at Post Office Sale March 2003

COMMUNICATIONS

The Anguilla Animal Rescue Foundation has maintained its own web site (www.aarf.ai) since the inception of the organization. The site contains information about the history of the organization, education about pet health issues and vaccinations, pet adoption, organizational events and a lost and found area.

An electronic newsletter is produced 6 or more times a year to keep readers up to date on the activities of AARF as well as issues related to pet health care. There are currently over 131 subscribers to the newsletter and the web site has received over 5800 hits.

AARF has been represented in a number of publications island-wide including The Anguillian, The Herald, The Light and many of the local web sites such as iloveanguilla.com and news.ai.

For the past eight issues AARF has been given the opportunity to tell its story in Anguilla Life Magazine which is distributed across the island and is a favorite of tourists.

Most recently The Anguilla Animal Rescue Foundation has been included in Anguilla Tranquility Wrapped in Blue. This high profile publication sponsored by the Tourism Board is sold in a number of locations across the island and is found in many hotel guest rooms.

MEMBERSHIPS

Significant effort was placed on increasing memberships over the last year. During 2003 AARF noted an increase in our corporate memberships and an overall growth of 11%.

The membership distribution for 2003 as of the Annual General Meeting is shown below:

Corporate	5
Lifetime	9
Regular	24
Family	23
Senior	4
Student	2
Total	67

Membership income was $2,539.97.

ADOPTION STATISTICS

As of December 31, 2003, The Anguilla Animal Rescue Foundation•s• adoption statistics are as follows:

Admissions	197
Adoptions	154
Euthanized	42
Waiting Adoption	1

These numbers reflect a 77.5% increase in the number of admissions and a 250% increase in the number of adoptions over the 2002 figures. The increased adoption rate can be attributed to a number of adoptions in the US as well as an increase in feline adoptions locally.

Since December 2000 when record keeping was begun, AARF has cared for 420 of Anguilla•s• homeless animals.

All animals are housed and cared for at Morlen•s• Veterinary Hospital. They are reimbursed at cost for all care and medications provided. Animal care costs both here and abroad for 2003 were US$4,817.00.

Patson adopts a 3 year old spayed cat who was surrendered due to allergies in the home.

FOSTER PARENTING

AARF has developed relationships with a number of residents of Anguilla to provide foster homes for AARF•s• animals. Foster homes provide animals with a second chance at adoption. In some cases the animals are too small to be sent to a permanent home, they may require health care or may be simply complying with vaccination requirements while awaiting transport to adoptive agencies in the United States. During 2003 over 30 animals were placed in foster care for periods between one day and several months.

David Johnson and Frank Costin fostered Lucy and Linus 2 sisters waiting to fly to New Hampshire. Family pets Luther and Lola provide direction.

ANIMAL TRANSPORT TO USA

2003 marked an unprecedented number of adoptions for The Anguilla Animal Rescue Foundation. A major reason for this increase was AARF•s• affiliation with Puppy Angels of New Hampshire. Sherry and John Morrall who formed their organization in 2001 to support Anguilla•s• homeless animals, were responsible for providing new homes in the United States for 84 dogs and puppies. This number accounts for 55% of AARF•s• adoptions in 2003.

A number of visitors to the island volunteered over the year to fly with puppies to the New England area where they were met by Puppy Angels representatives.

The program was further assisted by strategic alliances with Save a Sato and Second Chance Rescue in Puerto Rico as well as a cargo company that provides transport to Puppy Angels for free. Local pilot Roy Bossons provided transport to Puerto Rico via his plane for the expenses of the flight.

Spay/Neuter Pilot Program

For the first time The Anguilla Animal Rescue Foundation provided a free spay/neuter clinic to Anguilla•s• residents. The program funded by AARF, Puppy Angels and the Pegasus Foundation provided surgeries for 96 animals including both cats and dogs during July 2003.

The goals of the program were to:

• Spay/neuter approximately 100 animals
• Raise public awareness of the advantages of spay/neuter
• Increase public awareness of pet health issues and disease prevention such as heartworm, ehrlichia and annual vaccinations
• Support Government initiatives such as the Dog Act 2001

Dr. Patrick Vanterpool provided his clinic and services at significantly reduced rates to support the initiative.

Break down of funding for the program is as follows:

Pegasus Foundation US$1000.00

Puppy Angels US$1000.00

AARF US$2030.00

A Kick Off celebration was held on the evening of July 4^th, 2003, that included representatives from the Government of Anguilla, Puppy Angels, The Pegasus Foundation and AARF.

Mrs. Lanna Hoyoung, Sherry Morrall, Suzan Donahue, Anne Ostberg and Joseph Payne

Educational materials were distributed to all caretakers as well as flea/tick prevention provided by Hartz. Surgeries performed are shown in the table below:

Female Dog	42
Female Cat	17
Male Dog	26
Male Cat	11
Total	96

The program was supported community wide and involved a number of volunteers and local businesses.

On December 17, 2003 another fourteen surgeries were completed thanks to further support from Puppy Angels and International Veterinary Assistance, Inc. They each contributed US$500.00 toward the completion of animals who registered for the original program but were not able to be done due to budgetary constraints. Surgeries performed are shown below:

Female Dog	6
Male Dog	3
Female Cat	2
Male Cat	3
Total	14

Total cost of the program was US$4600.00.