Video: Yello visits the Ark Animal Welfare Society
by Karen Rollins Sep 8, 2019
Anyone who loves dogs knows how warm, loving and loyal they are. Our canine companions are not called ‘man’s best friend’ for nothing!
So, visiting the Ark Animal Welfare Society in the parish of St George, is a bittersweet experience.
On one hand it’s great seeing all the dogs with their wagging tails, bright eyes and welcoming barks, but on the other, it’s sad to think about how and why they ended up at the shelter in the first place.
The Ark has been looking after unwanted dogs since 1998 and is staffed entirely by volunteers.
It currently has about 50 dogs waiting for new homes and some of the occupants have been at the shelter for 10 years.
Dominique Maraj, who has been volunteering since December 2009 and now runs most of the Ark’s activities, knows all the dogs’ stories and has a personal connection to each of them.
You can tell instantly by chatting to Dominique that she is 100% committed to making the shelter dogs happy, and ensuring that when they find a new home, it will be for life.
Dominique told Yello a bit about the dog adoption process.
“Our peak times for adoption are around September to November. We’re very careful about adoption in December because we firmly believe that a puppy should not be given as a gift.
She adds: “We suggest the interested individual comes in to meet the dogs in person because sometimes they’ve only seen them on our social media pages. Then we ask questions about the home, the arrangements that’ll be in place for the dog, and we’ll do a home check.”
The Ark houses dogs of all types and ages and currently has puppies who are just nine weeks old, as well as mature dogs, who have been at the facility for a quite a while.
Dominique says: “We have some dogs which we call “lifers”. Tommy who’s 11 and is a sweet, loving boy but he’s been with us for about 10 years, and Mona who’s been here for three years.
“We know some of them are going to be difficult to re-home unless a very special person comes along, but we are a no-kill shelter, so they are safe with us. We are the home that they know, they are happy and much loved.”
The Ark relies solely on fundraising and donations to keep running. Its main sources of income are a monthly book sale held the first Tuesday of every month at Massy Supermarket in Worthing and a bi-annual yard sale.
The shelter depends on the public to donate financially, as well as in giving much needed items, such as dog food and puppy chow. It also sells t-shirts, calendars and tote bags to raise essential funds. Individuals can sponsor dogs, and there is a yearly membership which costs $30 (BBD).
On Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays a group of young people, mainly aged 12-16, volunteer for a variety of chores.
A lot of them begin helping as part of the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence, which was implemented by schools to reward students for community service. Some end up staying after the project because they fall in love with the dogs.
Volunteers walk, feed and socialise the dogs, clean the kennels, and assist with updating the Ark’s social media pages.
Roxanne Smith has been helping on Saturdays for the past few weeks, along with her children Naja, 13, and Kezia, 10.
Roxanne says Naja wants to be a vet and loves playing with the dogs.
“It makes you feel good to help out,” Roxanne adds.
“The dogs need attention and it’s good for the kids to give back. It softens your heart when you see the dogs and it’s nice for the children to interact with them.
“I would encourage people to come and help. Walking the dogs is good exercise and it’s worthwhile because you’ll be making a difference”.
It’s worrying to think where these animals might end up without non-profit organisations such as the Ark.
But while there are volunteers and people like Dominique, the dogs at the Ark will certainly be well cared for and loved, until they find their ‘forever homes’.
Visit the Ark’s website or Facebook page for more details on how you can help, or call 435 4108.