West Bay’s dogs benefitted from a bit of tender loving care recently thanks to the volunteers of Cayman Animal Rescue Enthusiasts.
The local animal welfare volunteer group hosted a very well attended community dog wash event at the Hell Esso gas station on Sunday 29 January.
Over 40 dogs were scrubbed, brushed, clipped and snipped in the space of four hours. The dogs were also given a health check by veterinary technicians from Island Veterinary Services. The dogs were given de-wormers, flea and tick preventative, brand new collars and treats.
The organisation also launched its dog tag project at the event, ensuring that dogs that arrived at the wash without identification did not leave without.
Armed with a box of blank dog tags and a hand held engraver, donated by Cayman Engineering and Partners, the volunteers painstakingly created new tags for the dogs.
“We are hoping that if more dogs that have an ID tag with their owners’ number attached to their collar it will hopefully reduce the number of lost and found dogs and encourage pet ownership and responsibility,” said Lesley Agostinelli, a CARE volunteer.
One of the aims of the community dog wash events is to promote responsible pet ownership, a part of which is having pets spayed or neutered.
After listening to the advantages of spaying and neutering, 12 owners made use of the opportunity to book their animals for free surgery being offered by CARE through Island Veterinary Services.
“If we are going to be successful in reducing the pet over-population problem we have on this island, we need the public to understand the benefits of spaying and neutering, not just for the animals, but for the community as a whole,” said Ms Agostinelli.
She also thanked the volunteers who helped make the day a success.
“Many thanks to Island Veterinary Services, all CARE volunteers and to Pecky and the staff at Hell Esso for the water,” said Ms Agostinelli.
For information on spaying and neutering or to make an appointment call 938-2273 or e-mail info@caymancare.ky