Caribbean Animal Welfare Conference well represented by Grenada
Over 50 Animal Welfare Organizations from the Caribbean region were represented at the Caribbean Animal Welfare Conference held May 14 - 17 at the Jolly Beach Resort in Antigua.
The first day and a half of the Conference was devoted to Disaster Management, presented by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA). A potential realistic scenario was created in which we all participated including a volcanic eruption and a hurricane threat within a short time of each other. We all greatly enjoyed this exercise and found it beneficial.
Other topics included: Humane Education; Cruelty Investigation Training; Responsible Animal Welfare; Impact of Stray Dogs on Environment and a Workshop on Caribbean Marine Mammals. These workshops were attended by; Peggy Cattan, President of the Grenada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA), Ms. Dorothy Gittens, Education Officer GSPCA, Mrs. MaryAnn Mulvey, Vice President GSPCA, Joe Mulvey, Treasurer GSPCA, Dr. Bowen Louison, Chief Veterinary Officer and Dr. Saul Mofya, Shelter Medicine Program, St. George's University School of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr Bowen Louison
Dr. Bowen Louison, Chief Veterinary Officer of Grenada and Peggy Cattan, President, Grenada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) were both invited to give presentations. Dr. Louison covered animal welfare legislation concerning both farm animals and domestic including our Dog (Registration and Control) Act of 2002.
Peggy Cattan discussed working and collaborating with government to create an environment for Animal Friendly Travel destinations for our tourism industry.
Peggy Cattan
It was noted that Grenada was a leading figure in the field of Animal Welfare in the Caribbean with legislation adopted to protect both farm animals and domestic animals. It was agreed that the time has come for all Animal Welfare Groups and Governments to assist each other and work together to adopt and enforce legislation. Only by working together will we decrease the numbers of stray and roving animals, thus decreasing the suffering of unwanted animals and creating a healthier living environment for everyone.
Grenada was invited to host the next bi-annual Caribbean Animal Welfare Conference in 2008.
Sponsors of the Conference were the World Society for the Protection of Animals, The Pegasus Foundation, Humane Society International, and The Humane Society of the United States. The Antigua and Barbuda Humane Society hosted the Conference.
