Volume 1, Issue 4 October 2001
The goal of this newsletter is to keep members and friends up to date on events and plans of the organization. If there is any particular topic you would like to see addressed in the newsletter, please send email to news@aarf.ai
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Volunteers manned a booth for the August Monday and August Thursday Boat Races. A number of individuals from Anguilla as well as visitors stopped by to learn more about the activities of AARF. We sold 23 t-shirts and 3 bags during the event. Although our sales were not large, the fact that the organization is being seen out in the community will increase awareness.
Thanks to all the volunteers who helped with set up including Oliver Owen and Rafael Cestero, and our volunteers Wini Scarbrough, Barbara Owen, Amy Williams, Claire Devener and Jackie Cestero. AARF would also like to thank Joan Richardson and the Anguilla Tourism Board for only charging us for 1 of the 2 days we were at the race. Photos below are courtesy of Wini Scarbrough.
Just couldn't resist sharing the photo of the dog on the raft.
Donation of 40 Brochure Holders
On August 24th a shipment of 40 plastic brochure holders was received from Mr. Douglas Brown of Flower Mound, Texas. These will be used to place our brochures in businesses around the Island. We will be looking for volunteers to drop these off early in November. If you are interested in assisting with this project or would like to place a holder at your business, please contact Jackie Cestero at cestero@anguillanet.com .
The Executive Committee of AARF would like to thank Doug Brown for his donation and support of the organization!
Myron Goldfinger Donates $1000 US to AARF
On August 15th Mr. Myron Goldfinger presented a check in the amount of $1000 to Dr. Patrick Vanterpool to help support AARF. As owner of the luxury resort Cove Castles, Mr. Goldfinger has a long history of work within the Anguillian Community.
All members of his family including his 2 daughters Thira and Djerba, and wife June are avid supporters of rescue animals. Their first adoption of a shelter animal was a collie named Fiona when his daughters were quite young. As adults both daughters have rescue animals and Djerba volunteers part time in a shelter. More recently Myron and June were responsible for aiding an ill goat on the Altamer complex.
Because the education program is so vital to the plans of AARF, Mr. Goldfinger's donation will be used to begin purchasing books and supplies for the program that will begin in the fall.
The Executive Committee would like to express their profound appreciation for this very generous donation.
Dr. Vanterpool receiving check from Mr. Goldfinger
Abused Dog is Rescued by Visitors to Anguilla
In the first week of August AARF received a phone call from an couple visiting Anguilla, stating that there was an injured dog stranded on the rocks in front of their villa in Little Harbour. Amy Williams went to the site to assess the situation and bring the animal back. He was found bruised, swollen and unable to walk apparently from some sort of beating. On initial impression it seemed that he had a possible broken leg. Amy brought him back to Morlen's Animal Hospital where he was taken care of and allowed to heal. Slowly his condition improved.
Despite this terrible treatment, Buddy had a wonderful disposition and was a loving and sweet dog. It was decided that he was a candidate for adoption especially in light of his improved health and great disposition.
On August 29th, Buddy found a new home with a great family in Island Harbour. In this environment he will have another playmate named Spike and the love and attention of responsible pet owners.
The Webster's report that Buddy has been named Scar by their son who is fan of The Lion King. Scar loves to swim and is very happy in his new home.
Steve and Amy Popper of Nevada who rescued Scar expressed their concern over the treatment of animals in Anguilla. An extremely generous contribution in the amount of $500 was given to AARF to continue our efforts.
The Executive Committee would first like to thank Steve and Amy for their very generous donation and second for taking time away from their vacation to help an animal in need here in Anguilla.
Scar
Carnival is a difficult time for dogs and cats in Anguilla. Thus it was not surprising to receive an increased number of phone calls reporting injured animals during this period. However, AARF had a number of calls regarding a specific dog that people had seen dragging itself by the side of the road in the vicinity of the Curiosity Shop. Both Dr. Vanterpool and Amy Williams went to the scene following up on each sighting of the animal with no luck.
In mid-September Dr. Vanterpool finally found the elusive animal and brought him to the clinic. It would seem that this injury had occurred long before carnival and his condition was not repairable. He finally is free from the pain of his injuries.
Thank you to all who called to bring this to our attention. If you see an injured animal on the road, do not hesitate to call 497-4600.
Upcoming Schedule of Events - Volunteers Needed
Merchandise Sales and Membership Drives
Soroptimist
Craft Fair – December 1, 2001
Craft
Group Show - February 16, 2002
Agriculture Show - February 2002
ABC Flower Show – March 2 and 3, 2002
Please mark your calendars with these events and volunteer to assist in the booth. Even an hour of your time can help our cause. If you are interested in volunteering please email cestero@anguillanet.com
AARF would like to thank Michel Faligant of Shoal Bay Scuba and Water sports and Wini Scarbrough for the use of their digital cameras to help keep up with animal photos and events. They say a picture is worth a thousand words and photos are crucial to helping place our pets available for adoption. Thank you both for your support!
If you are willing to place one of these AARF collection boxes in your place of business, please contact us at info@aarf.ai
Education Committee Chair Michelle Owen-Vasilis reports that she met with Rhona Richardson in July to discuss AARF's education initiatives. Ms. Richardson works directly with the Minister of Education Eric Reid and others within the Education Administration. Ms. Richardson felt that our program was an excellent one and would work as a liaison between the Committee and the Education Department to help get the program into the schools. It was felt that the committee should begin its work in the pre-schools as it is less disruptive to that segment. Michelle is working on that now. She hopes to begin making presentations at the end of September.
This is a job which will need the help of volunteers. If you are interested in helping the committee move the educational program forward, please contact Michelle at owenvas@anguillanet.com or edu@aarf.ai
The organization received word in September that we have been turned down by the Parks Foundation for the $3000 in funds requested to begin our Education program. Unfortunately no information was given regarding why the application was denied. There will be further follow up with the foundation to see how we can improve our application next year.
ASPCA Pet Rescue Continues In New York City
Following is an excerpt from the ASPCA Newsletter with regard to their assistance during the terrible disaster in New York City on September 11, 2001. It should be noted also that dogs have provided a great deal of support in the search and rescue mission in both the World Trade Center and Pentagon disasters.
In response to the World Trade Center disaster last Tuesday, the ASPCA set up a command center with a fully equipped mobile veterinary unit in lower Manhattan, and has been working with authorities to remove pets from homes in the buffer zone south of Canal Street. We are relieved to report that more than 150 animals rescued from homes that had been evacuated--including cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets and reptiles--received medical care from staff at the ASPCA mobile veterinary unit. "The ASPCA has received assistance to support our rescue efforts from local veterinarians, rescue groups and pet food and supply companies," says Dr. Larry M. Hawk, ASPCA President and CEO. "From donations of pet carriers to offers to adopt orphaned pets, we are simply overwhelmed at the outpouring of love and support." That includes a staggering 30 thousand tons of pet food and supplies transferred from the Jacob Javits Relief Center, and a donation of 300 microchips from Schering-Plough, which are being planted into pets from evacuated homes whose owners may be out of town, in the hospital or otherwise unavailable to reach their animals.
As of late Monday afternoon, the ASPCA's command center moved from the disaster area to the society's headquarters at 92nd street in Manhattan. ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement agents are still available to assist in the rescue of stranded animals, and any animals in need of care will be treated at the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital.
For more information on what the ASPCA is doing to help the animals impacted by the disaster--and to see photos of these rescue efforts--visit http://www.aspca.org. Readers interested in contributing to the ASPCA Disaster Relief Fund may do so online at our site; donations can also be sent to the ASPCA Disaster Relief Fund, 424 East 92nd St., New York, NY 10128, and will be gladly accepted at (212) 876-7700 x4516 or 4515. And tri-state area residents, take note--please inform us of any pets whose owners are missing by calling our emergency hotline at (212) 876-7700 x4PET.
In response to our newsletter request for old newspapers in June, we have had a number of donations from both businesses and individuals. Some sites have actually set up newspaper recycling bins for people to place their papers instead of throwing them in the garbage. We thank everyone who has supported this cause. Remember we can never have too many newspapers. Please keep them coming.
If you are interested in seeing other items that would help AARF please check out our Wish List .
The Friday September 28, 2001 Anguillian provides details of the Bill for the Dogs Act of 2001. This act constructed by Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Patrick Vanterpool provides "for the licensing, keeping and controlling of dogs; to prohibit persons importing a dog of the type known as the pit bull terrier or other ferocious dogs; to impose restrictions in respect of such dogs and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto."
There have been a number of public discussions of this new act via radio that have elicited negative feedback in particular from pit bull owners.
Disturbingly there was an attempt to set fire to Morlen's Veterinary Clinic last week. Thankfully it was unsuccessful. This clinic houses and provides care for all the homeless animals of AARF. It is our hope that the Police Department will find the perpetrators of this act quickly as many innocent animals and people living close by could have been injured or killed.
AARF received 2 very lively and happy female puppies age approximately 6 weeks. They will probably be small dogs and would make great family pets. If you are interested in these great little puppies call Amy at 497-4600 Monday - Friday 9:00am - 1:00pm. Other times by appointment.
Nessy Gretchen
Bonnie Richardson-Lake has lost her long haired calico cat in the area of Rock Farm/Sashasses. She is a female indoor cat and has been declawed. If you have seen this cat or know anything that might help Bonnie find her call 497-5162 at home or 497-3763, 497-3845 at work.