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| HSI 2007 |
| Bahamas youth eager to learn about animals. |
By Jessica Higgins
Imagine the Bahamas and a few tranquil images spring to mind: azure seas, white sands, swaying palm trees. Mangy street dogs or organized animal fighting are probably not part of the picture. But while tourists flock to The Bahamas, an estimated 20,000 dogs struggle to survive on the streets of Nassau alone, and the brutal "sport" of animal fighting becomes increasingly popular every year.
The Bahamas Humane Society has been combating these and other problems since 1924, most recently under the guidance of Kevin Degenhard, originally a Superintendent with the RSPCA. The BHS operates an animal shelter and clinic, but their reach goes well beyond the individual animals that they serve.
The only long-term solution to animal suffering is education: early education for children and ongoing education of the community at large. Recognizing this, The BHS has launched a campaign to introduce humane education into every public school in the country by the end of the year. It's a lofty goal, but one that is supported by many international animal protection organizations.
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| Jessica Higgins/HSI 2007 |
| A girl's best friend is her dog. |
Last month, representatives from Humane Society International, the Pegasus Foundation, and the World Society for the Protection of Animals convened in Nassau to support BHS efforts. These international groups joined The BHS and the Department of Education at a meeting where government officials perused humane education materials and heard more about the importance of animal welfare, including information on the established link between violence against animals and violence against humans.
The meeting drew 11 education officials, including two from neighboring islands—an impressive turnout for a country with a population of just over 300,000. By the end of the meeting, the Department of Education approved the project and offered to assist in training and implementation.
But the focus wasn't only on meetings. The BHS held the first ever Animal Fun Day on May 26 in the Nassau Botanic Gardens, where families brought their pets and enjoyed music, Bahamian crafts, police dog demonstrations and fun "dog shows," including "Waggiest Tail" and "Best Costume." The Fun Day brought attention to The BHS and also created an environment where families were encouraged to value their animals as members of the family.
HSI provided information on a broad range of animal welfare topics for both adults and children, and we also had the tough job of judging many of the dog shows. Maybe we're biased, but the potcakes (mixed-breed Bahamian dogs) stole the show!
The event also included raffles and dog-training demonstrations. By the end of the day, The BHS, HSI, The Pegasus Foundation, and WSPA had reached hundreds of Bahamians with the message of compassion for our animal friends. The BHS program is well on its way to creating an animal-friendly culture in The Bahamas, and HSI will support them every step of the way.
Jessica Higgins is HSI's Program Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean.
