WARNING: The following images are graphic in nature and might be disturbing to some viewers. Unfortunately this is the sad reality.
The Community Outreach Program
The reason for the problems and abuse that dogs and cats too often endure is because individuals either can’t or aren’t looking after their animals properly. There are many reasons for this: financial constraints to the point of poverty, domestic situations (abusive home environments), substance abuse and dependencies, lack of knowledge or understanding, lack of transport, no adequate housing or fencing and sometimes just plain cruelty. Going into the community we try to find ways to help people live with and understand their animals better by providing food, medication, vet care, training, support and advice.
Enforcing The Animal Cruelty Act
Barbados is a beautiful island in the Caribbean and a renowned tourist destination. However, there’s another side to Barbados which is not so attractive, and that is in relation to animal welfare. We have reached a crisis situation in Barbados. The animal shelters are at breaking point, stretched beyond capacity. This is exacerbated by Covid-19 and the financial hardship it has brought; countless dogs continue to be dumped and abandoned. In large pockets of Barbados dogs are not seen as sentient beings, there’s an underlying lack of empathy and compassion. Dogs are not treated as companion animals. They are tied up or kept in small boxes or cages, denied food and water and live their whole lives alone without a single kind word or touch. Females are repeatedly forced to become pregnant either by lack of care or in an effort to sell the puppies (which go on to experience the same sad fate). Although there is legislation, it is not enforced, there are no repercussions for animal cruelty. Organisations like Ocean Acres are their only hope. Partnering with animal organisations and working directly with The Government, it is our ultimate goal to change this.
Support Us
Please donate to the Ocean Acres Community Outreach Program, by helping us to provide for Barbados dogs and cats in need.
If you need support or advice, have any questions, would like to report an animal in distress, please contact us. We are here to help. Any information you provide is private and confidential.
