If any of you are like me with your pets, you treat them as a member of your family and they receive the same amount of love and attention any family member would. This post is one of the closest to my heart that I’ve ever written and visiting the The Animal House Jamaica in Golden Grove, St Ann really tugged at my heart strings. It was a short visit but I didn’t want to leave and I’ll surely return.
I discovered the Animal House on Facebook a few months ago and immediately knew I wanted to go check it out so I emailed the lady who runs it to ask if I can visit and write this article to help raise awareness for what she’s doing. We exchanged a few emails and I came to find out Maureen is a Canadian from Toronto and she ended up starting this animal shelter quite by accident. She’s a writer/producer in the music industry and was in Jamaica doing her thing but the serious animal problem on the island soon beckoned her as well. From what I remember her telling me it all started small and she took in a few unwell animals on her own, and then it began to mushroom into a mission!
When I drove up to the property in Golden Grove (about 25 minutes drive from Ocho Rios) immediately I knew I had the right place because of the bark-festival that started! It made me laugh to myself because all I could think about was when my doorbell at home rings and my ONE dog goes mental when a guest arrives. No one could ever sneak up on this shelter that’s for sure! The place looks like a normal little house set in the countryside all by itself and it has a chain link fence surrounding a greater area around the yard. There were probably twenty dogs that ran up to the gate when I approached and I have to admit I was a little intimidated. I’m used to the shady street dogs in Jamaica and you never know if they’re going to be friendly or not. I felt the same way about walking through this gate.
One of the Jamaican workers met me at the gate to see me through and assured me the dogs are alright so I walked through. Immediately I was surrounded with about fifteen dogs all sniffing and licking my legs and checking me out and it made me giggle. I waded through them towards the house and they all followed, curious to know why I was there. Once I reached the house I met the lady I’d been emailing with and talking to on the phone. It was great to finally meet Maureen and get this chance to tour the place and find out more about what they do.
Maureen has now been in Jamaica for 30 years and houses approximately 184 dogs, cats and a horse. She runs a full scale dog shelter in Golden Grove and has a cat house in a different location on the north coast. The part that amazed me the most is that the entire operation runs solely on her own income and donations from outside.
Inside the main room of the house there was a large wire kennel area that housed a few bigger dogs – one of them was a jumper! He was that dog who bounds up and down in the air constantly, trying to clear the fence! In the corner there was another small dog who I found out later has been adopted and will be on her way to Germany! That’s when I found out about the adoption program at Animal House – not only can locals adopt these dogs but Maureen facilitates foreign adoption as well. Awesome! I asked what exactly is involved in that process and I’m surprised at how simple and inexpensive it is. The Animal House does all the paperwork for you free of charge and the only things you have to pay for are vet certificate, export permit, a kennel to transport the dog, and the actual transport cost. Maureen told me that Air Canada is great to work with, and the whole process is only about $350 Cdn from start to finish! I suspect the cost may vary depending on where the adoptive family lives.
I continued my tour into the back of the property where they have several kennels, each containing a few dogs who were all equally as excited to see a visitor. While in the back I met one of the volunteers who comes in a couple days a week to help feed the animals, socialize them and just give them some attention. The volunteer was another white lady who lives in Jamaica, originally from England. I also met a couple full-time employees who work there. They are Jamaican men who stay at the shelter at all times to make sure everything runs smoothly. This interested me because many Jamaicans I know aren’t fond of dogs. The man named Patrick told me stories of a couple of the rescues they’ve done – dogs tied to trees and left for dead, etc. Sad.
Maureen told me that all the dogs who come into Animal House get full vet checks, treated for worms and ticks, and are all spayed and neutered. She pays for all this out of her own pocket or with donations. It appeared to me that each dog was in excellent health and were all clean and full of life! What broke my heart the most is that I KNOW dogs are inherently loyal to humans and look to us for affection but the ones in the street never get it. Every dog in the the shelter is your typical mongrel type mixed breed that you see in the streets of Jamaica but they’re all so loving, friendly and healthy! Any time I sat down I had at least three of them jumping up on me looking for a scratch behind the ears or a pat on the head. They all look SO happy!
My visit to the shelter created a lot of mixed emotions for me. It touched me that Maureen has sacrificed a lot in her life for these animals and I can imagine it’s a rewarding experience for her. But at the same time I could see while talking to her that it’s overwhelming and there really is no end in sight because she cares too much to leave it all behind. Every dog here has a name and this is a personal mission for her but I can just tell it’s a lot for one person to manage. I was so happy even for the short visit I made and guaranteed I’m going back next time I’m in Jamaica.
I asked her how people can help if they feel inclined after reading this and she told me several ways. Donations are ALWAYS welcome and can be made through her website (The Animal House Jamaica is a registered charity). Also, volunteer time is greatly appreciated if you’re in Jamaica and the St Ann area. She also doesn’t mind if you bring a whole heap of treats for the dogs! I totally encourage you to send her an email if you’re interested in helping in any way. She needs it and the animals need it! And if you get a chance to go visit you won’t be disappointed. These dogs can brighten ANYONE’S day!
The Ten Commandments of Dog Ownership
1. My life is likely to least ten to fifteen years. Any separation from you will be painful for me. Remember that before you get alone with me.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me – it’s crucial to my well-being.
4. Don’t be angry at me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your entertainment and your friends. I only have you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I understand your voice when it’s speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I’ll never forget it.
7. Remember before you hit me that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones of your hand but that I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food or I’ve been out in the sun too long or my heart is getting old and weak.
9. Take care of me when I get old. You, too, will grow old.
10. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say “I can’t bear to watch it” or “Let it happen in my absence”. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember, I love you.
Leave a Reply to JC Cancel reply