~ Adoptions low, while strays decrease ~

It was a mixed bag of results for 2011 for the St. Maarten Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF). Adoptions of dogs and cats in the past year have declined compared with 2010 – a worrying trend for the foundation and animal care activists.

The pets awaiting adoption are housed at the vet clinics. Adoptions cost a minimum amount. All adopted animals are neutered or spayed before they are taken home by their "pet parents" as a means of reducing the number of unwanted animals in the community.

A total of 103 pet adoptions were recorded for last year. Adoption figures continue to be low since Animal Hospital of the Netherlands Antilles now runs AWF's former adoption centre independently at its own cost. Other adoptions are handled separately by the Animal Care Center and other animal activist groups on the Dutch side.

Thanks to a strict policy of sterilizing adopted animals, AWF's 2011 annual report cites a 24 per cent decrease in unwanted and stray animals. A total of 523 free or low cost sterilizations were carried out by the foundation with a concentration on female pets.

Despite the drop in the unwanted animals, the foundation still collected 569 unwanted, stray or injured animals. That number includes goats, piglets and birds.

AWF President Su Wathey reminded the community of the continued importance of pet sterilization as a means to reduce pet overpopulation. "There are only so many homes available to pets and, because domestic dogs and cats tend to live for many years, our community cannot absorb them all."

Dogs treated for active cases of mange and follow ups for reoccurrence numbered 89. "We are gratified particularly this year that the number of mange cases we were called to treat dropped by half from 2010," Wathey said.

The foundation carried out 1,624 home visits that included emergencies, taxi rides to the vet, aid, consultations and mange treatments.

In 2011, AWF continued to provide copies of KIND News – an educational humane newspaper – free of charge for every Dutch side school child, according to reading level. The copies are delivered monthly, although the publisher has switched to a bi-monthly format.

The foundation's volunteers also head to the classrooms to talk to children about caring for animals. Public awareness events have also been organised. These are designed to promote responsible pet ownership such as a dog walk and a dog show. Community service opportunities are also provided for school children.

For more information about the foundation, adopting a pet or getting involved, call 520-8887.