Before I even arrived in Cayman I knew I wanted to get involved in the Humane Society here. I enjoyed my time working with the animals in Koh Tao so much I decided to carry on the tradition. I assumed I would go in to walk the dogs or something similar but I lucked out and Iβm getting to combine my two loves- cameras and dogs!
Heather and I have been volunteering our time to go in and take photos of all the new dogs and cats for the adoption board and hopefully eventually an update of the website. Its tiring and difficult but feels so good to give something back. Its hard enough taking photos of trained and domesticated dogs, but these ones donβt know commands, donβt know what treats are, and barely know their own names! But they are so happy to have extra time out of the overcrowded pens that you canβt help but laugh.
Adopt me?
When weβre driving away is when the sadness starts to set in. The shelter had over 90 surrenders in April, and last year had to put down over seven hundred animals. On an island you could drive from one end to the other in an hour! I donβt know what the solution is, but while they work at figuring it out, click over to their website to offer your support, or visit your local shelter and see how you can lend a hand.
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.
-Ghandi
As the official volunteer photographers for the Cayman Islands Humane Society, Heather and I were kind of obligated to attend Petapalooza. But lets be serious, I totally would have been there anyway.
Petapalooza is the annual fundraiser for the Humane Society featuring live music all day and night from an impressive lineup of Cayman bands, lots of puppies walking around and a great atmosphere. The event was held at Grand Harbor, where thereβs outdoor restaurants a surf and skate park, which made for some great photos!
See the surfer in the back?
The shelter had volunteers walking around with dogs up for adoption and money was raised from drink tents, a 50/50 raffle and a prize raffle. I went for the 25 tickets for 25CI (31.25US), thinking I was making a nice charity donation and it would be a nice bonus if I won something.Β Well luck was in the air because I won not one but TWO prizes! A beach horseback riding voucher and a gift certificate for six dog training sessions. Luckily for my pup back home Tucker they are only valid here in the Caymans so I traded Heather, who just adopted a puppy from the Humane Society, for a 50CI gift certificate for The Attic, one of our favorite bars! Kids, It DOES pay to give back.
In the end the Humane Society surpassed their goal of $25,000USD! Incredibly impressive, and my can they use it. Of course I couldnβt help but think back to my dinky little fundraiser in Ko Tao, Thailand where we were over the moon to have raised 27,000β¦ baht (less than one grand US!) Different islands, different lifestyles. Hereβs wishing happy lives to pups the world over.
Thank-you for volunteering at the Humane Society :). We adopted our dog Yogurt from there back in December.
Um, best dog name ever! That’s adorable! I love it π