Get ready Grand Bahama - the 28th annual Dog Show is next Saturday, March 2nd!  Are your dogs ready?  

We've changed things up a little this year to keep it fresh and fun.  This year's show will feature some fun carnival games for the kids, as well as a fun new category for dogs.  Does your dog do any cool tricks?  The Best Dog Trick group will give you and your pooch a chance to show off your smarts and skills!

Don't have a dog?  No problem!  The shelter is full of great dogs who would love a chance to compete.  

Come on down to the shelter and choose your dog for the day!  Or just call us and we'll pick one out for you.  We'll make sure he or she is cleaned up and fitted with a collar and leash and ready to make you proud on the day.  It's also a great way to help them get more exposure and possibly even some adoption interest.

The popular flea market tent is back again - don't miss out on some great bargains!  Great food and drink, a bake sale, a great raffle featuring a grand prize of two American Airlines tickets (good anywhere in the U.S. and Canada), face painting, and more will ensure something for everyone, and a great time.

Remember that shaded areas are a bit scarce on the grounds so if it's a hot sunny day, don't forget your sunscreen, hats, umbrellas, etc.  We will provide water stations for the dogs.  

Written by Tip Burrows/HSGB

Sometimes no matter how hard you work, circumstances beyond your control come to a head, and conspire to derail all your efforts.  This is what is happening right now at the HSGB.   

Two years ago, our field spay/neuter programme was stopped. 

Those who stopped it never provided an alternative solution or offered their help; they just killed it with no apparent thought to the plight of innocent animals on Grand Bahama.  Our letters, emails and public pleas for answers were ignored.

Still, we soldiered on; thanks to HSGB Medical Director Dr. Dawn Gibbs, and local private veterinarian Dr. Chante Wildgoose, we have been able to do hundreds of sterilizations within Freeport, thanks to the budget for same provided by the Grand Bahama Port Authority, which pays for spay/neuter for low income pet owners. 

There is a limit to this budget and it does not include sterilizations for animals outside the Port area.  Therefore, the problem in those areas has continued to grow out of control.

The Humane Society of Grand Bahama is actively recruiting volunteers to assist with our humane education programme. Requirements: love of kids and animals and belief in the power of education to make a difference.  See below for more information

(From Wikipedia)

Humane education is defined as the teaching of compassion and respect related to animal welfare, environmental, and social justice issues. It works to makes the acquisition of relevant knowledge, skills, and commitment to live ethically, sustainably, and peaceably the very purpose of education. It does this by infusing the curricula at all levels of education with meaningful information, inspiration, and tools for creating a safe and humane world for all.(Selby) [1]

Humane education examines the challenges facing our planet, from human oppression and animal exploitation to materialism and ecological degradation. It explores how we might live with compassion and respect for everyone: not just our friends and neighbors, but all people; not just our own dogs and cats, but all animals; not just our own homes, but also the earth itself, our ultimate home.

The focus on citizenship makes humane education exceedingly compatible with other educational theories and models of reform, including service-learning and character and democratic education which all promote personal and global responsibility.(Itle-Clark)[2]

The Humane Society of Grand Bahama (HSGB) is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1968 to “protect God’s creatures in times of trouble on Grand Bahama.”  We are one of the oldest charities on this island, and the second oldest animal welfare organization in the entire Bahamas.  We are not a government agency and we are not funded by government.  

Our work has made the entire island safer, healthier, and more pleasant for its human inhabitants and we are pleased to contribute to the well being of our fellow Grand Bahamians.  However, our very reason for being involves the protection and well being of animals, and this mission will always take precedence for us.

Animal lover or not, surely every compassionate person would agree that “the righteous care for the needs of their animals” – Proverbs 12:10.  

We believe that those who are sworn to protect and defend life and property - our police officers -should also have a care and concern for defenseless innocent animals.  In fact, the Bahamas Penal Code sets out clear guidelines for this.  

The Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) has often called upon us to assist in responding to nuisance or “dangerous dogs” calls.  We always respond promptly when asked.  Although sometimes the asking is more of a challenge than a request; for example we have heard a number of times: “If you don’t come right now, we will shoot the dog.”

By Cindy Albury

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- On Saturday, January 19th, the Humane Society of Grand Bahama held our Annual Ladies Luncheon, aboard the Alexander von Humboldt, also known as the "Green Lady" or simply "the Alex." 

This 106 year old tall ship docked at the Freeport Harbour provided a unique setting for a fun afternoon.  It was a huge success!

Following is a very long list of people we wish to thank who helped make this fundraiser such a success:

Our Sponsors - Erika Gates who donated the fabulous venue and Captain Sterling, Dave and crew of the “Green Lady”, Bahama Islands Info, Del Foxton, Freeport Advertising & Printing, and Lucayan Nursery & Landscaping.

Donations of Chinese Raffle, Auction Items and Door Prizes -- Agave Latin Fusion Restaurant, Catherine Pyfrom, Chris Paine of Paradise Jewels, Dive-In Marina Bar and Restaurant at Unexso, Furniture Plus, Ivy Elden, Jane Stollery, Karen Strauss, Lou Lihou, Mary Ann Albury of Joe's Studio in Man-O-War Cay, Prudence’s Boutique at Bandolera and Tara Pyfrom.

Donations of Food, Wine and Ice -- Bahamas Wholesale Agencies Ltd., Bristol Wines and Spirits, Crown Ice, Sands Bahamian Brewery, Solomon's, Sweet Affairs and The Italian Specialty Store

Take Away Gifts -- Clarins for the lovely perfumes, Daphne Ormerod Cates for the gourmet chocolates and Take The Cake Bakery for the custom cookies. 

The Fabulous Food -- Barb Stollery, Beth Hatfield, Claire Blain, Judy Rose, Karen Matlack and Penny Ettinger.

While many dogs and cats we take in are fairly healthy, we do take in a number of animals with various injuries.  While we can't always help them, sometimes we can and we think that animals with disabilities can live just as fulfilling a life as a human with similar problems.

Cassie was brought in by her owners with a severe head injury right before Christmas.

There was a lot of swelling and she was bleeding from both eyes. Dr. Gibbs saved her life, but her eyes were permanently affected and she is now completely blind.

Imagine the bewilderment of a formerly sighted animal, who can't understand (as a person could) why her world has gone dark. Her family did not want a blind cat so we are looking for an extra special home for Cassie.

She is an extremely sweet cat who loves to be petted.  She is in one of the quieter, less populated rooms of the shelter cattery, and has learned to navigate pretty well in there.  We try not to move furniture around in there so that she doesn't encounter any surprises.  

Obviously she needs to be strictly an indoor cat, and a calm household would probably suit her best.