202 ‘lucky dogs’ depart Barbados for new homes in Canada

A total of 202 abandoned dogs being cared for by Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary departed Barbados on Sunday on their way to new homes in Canada.

Founder of Ocean Acres, Karen Whittaker said “a lot of dogs’ lives” and the lives of a lot of people will change because of today’s flight, sponsored by MJet.

“It’s quite an emotional day for everybody, we’ve done so much work building up to this,” Whittaker told reporters at the Grantley Adams International Airport.

“We have a lot of opposition and a lot of hurdles to overcome. It’s not an easy environment here for animal welfare. The dogs have a hard time but these are lucky dogs that will go on to have a great life with great families.”

According to Whittaker, Sunday’s flight to Canada “is necessary, not just because there is nowhere else for these dogs to go,” but because her sanctuary can’t continue to house 200 animals and find $60 000 monthly to cover associated costs.

Founder of Ocean Acres Karen Whittaker.

She said Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary has no benefactor or guaranteed funding and is therefore forced to “beg every single month” in order to pay its bills.

“As much as the need is there, the desire is there, we just can’t do that. So, this flight has been born out of a need to have a new plan,” Whittaker said.

Focus on education

Going forward, Whittaker said Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary will try to help as many dogs as possible but will be focusing more on education, spay and neuter and working with Government to improve some of the ways things are done.

“When I say education I don’t just mean kids in schools, I mean a nationwide education campaign to try and change people’s attitudes a little bit,” she said.

“People often are not necessarily bad-intentioned; they’re just in a certain way of doing things. In many countries … habits have to be changed … but we need a Government-led education campaign.” 

So far this year Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary has sent 195 dogs overseas, Whittaker said.

She said there is no home in Barbados for the dogs, hence the decision to send them to Canada.

(DLB)