About Us

Background

The Ark Animal Welfare Society was formed in October 1998 after a newspaper article highlighted the inhumane methods of destroying stray dogs at the Animal Control Centre. It was calculated that some 5,000 dogs were destroyed annually by gassing. The animals are now euthanized by injection instead of gas chamber.

We are a volunteer, multi-national group dedicated to animal rights. As a volunteer group we are interested in the welfare of all animals living in Barbados, we are a Registered Charity and have Associate Status with the RSPCA INTERNATIONAL.

The Ark also offers educational programs to promote awareness of animal needs and rights.
We offer a low-cost spay/neuter program to reduce the unwanted litters of domestic animals on our Island, with volunteers transporting dogs and cats to veterinarians. We also have an adoption/foster home project to re-home unwanted pets.

Barbados is a small island (21 by 14 miles) and the animal population is a low priority in this culture.

Government has up-dated THE ANIMAL CRUELTY ACT. We have yet to see it implemented in the Courts, but it is in place to be used against cruelty in any form. THE ARK strongly opposes dog and cock-fighting and although illegal, these underground events still have a following. Unfortunately any animal mauled to near death is never seen by a Veterinarian and suffers death by hanging or being brutally beaten to death. The carcasses are then dumped in Gullies.

Goals

Our airm is to make the public, especially children, aware of the responsibilities of owning any animal. Through education, knowledge can be instilled to promote the rights if animals. The conditions suffered by many dogs who are either chained for life or live in cramped kennels, never touched by human hand or a kind voice - the sad plight of livestock staked without adequate food, water or shelter - the race horses given away by thoughtless owners when they are no longer profitable, to people who have not the means to support a thoroughbred and who stake them out in inadequate pastures - ALL are forms of cruelty that need to be addressed.

Realistically every animal cannot be saved. Barbados unfortunately has limited private and corporate funds to spare for animal welfare and we reasie our funds by special events. As a Tourist destination, our members feel strongly that the sight of mutilated carcasses on our roads, living skeletons in our fields, are memories that tarnish our image of a fun-loving and friendly island.

The Ark now has 2.4 acres of fenced land situated in Woodbourne, St. Philip. We have four temporary wooden kennels housing five adult dogs.

Committee Members

Our Committee Members are as follows: -

President: Mr. Cameron Leamy - 435-8347

Vice President: Mrs. Elizabeth Cole - 438-6898, 232-9706

Hon. Treasurer: Mrs. Maureen Hron - 429-4791

Hon. Secretary: Mrs. Jo Gamblin - 428-1803

Committee Members

Mr. Stuart Martin: 428-4266
Mr. Bob Parravicino: 429-0347
Mr. Mitch Moore: 437-9299
Mrs. Anne Moore: 437-9299
Mrs. Fiona Parker: 269-9952
Sandy Martin (Books) - 428-4266

Trustees

C. Brian Barnes

Stephen Walcott, Attorney-at-Law