The Tribune

THE Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights and Kindness (Baark!)) is looking to build on its 2016 achievement of providing a record number of spay/neuters with a series of initiatives in the coming weeks.

Since forming in 2009, Baark! has worked to reduce the number of homeless animals on the streets of The Bahamas through sterilisation programmes such as TNR (Trap-Neuter- Return) and providing subsidies for low-income families with owned pets.

With a record 1,803 spay/neuters last year, Baark! - which actively promotes spay/neuter and education projects to create cleaner, safer and more responsible communities in The Bahamas - has completed more than 6,000 in total.

“Our recipe for success is kind supporters, successful fundraising events, dedicated volunteers and our strong relationship with local veterinarians across the island,” Baark! chairman Laura Kimble said. “We cannot believe we were able to almost double our annual goal of 1,000 surgeries.”

Baark! will continue to host monthly Sunday spay/neuter clinics at the Bahamas Humane Society (BHS). “A good portion of our numbers in 2016 were a result of impromptu Sunday clinics that the hardworking vets at the BHS would put together after the ambulance drivers would identify areas on the island where a lot of animals needed spaying or neutering,” Ms Kimble said. “So for 2017 we have decided to pre-plan the dates and target specific areas and promote ahead of time.”

Dr Solomon Kwakye, Head Veterinarian of the BHS, said: “The only way to get a handle on the large number of unwanted dogs and cats in The Bahamas is through spay and neuter clinics. We are loving working together with Baark! to help prevent suffering.”

To mark World Spay Day, Baark! and the BHS will host a clinic on Sunday, February 26, and on the first weekend in March the Baark! truck, volunteers and vets Dr Dorsett and Dr Solomon will travel to Grey’s, Long Island. Local co-ordinator Sandra Cooke said it was important for Baark! to come to Long Island and help with the feral cat population and assist people who cannot afford to spay or neuter their pet. The clinic will be sterilising dogs and cats.

“We hope people who really need help will come forward with their pets and take advantage of these offers,” Lissa McCombe, Baark! vice-chairman, said.

Baark! does not receive government funding and relies solely on donations from supporters and their own fundraising efforts. The organisation will be hosting a country and western themed ‘Valentine’s Hoedown’ on Saturday at Philosophy Smokehouse Bar & Grill.

“We absolutely rely on the generous donations of our supporters. The more money we can raise, the more surgeries we can provide and the more lives we can save,” Ms Kimble added.

To make an appointment or for more information call Baark! on 427- SPAY (7729), visit www.baarkbahamas.com or on Facebook or contact Laura Kimble 457-4411, laura@baarkbahamas.org.