Marlies and Bert

Bert,” being hugged by Shelter manager Marlies, is a mystery dog. The Shelter staff knows nothing about his history – who his parents were, where he came from – because he was found in the Kouchi pa Bestia (drop off kennel) outside the gate of the Shelter. But this wire haired pup was immediately welcomed as he looks like a younger version of one of the full time Shelter resident dogs, “Charlie.”That was good news for Bert, especially when he had his check up with the vet and found to be in good health and would be put up for adoption.

He’s about five months old and he should grow up to be a big dog. Another nice thing is that Bert is a mellow and very gentle dog, not in the least hyper, and would be good with children. Just looking at him and that funny face.

Story and Photo by Laura DeSalvo, Bonaire Reporter- Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2012

Regina and Iggy

Some people claim they would love to have a cat but they find them aloof and standoffish and want a pet that is more attentive. Well, if you are one of those people the Shelter has the “purrfect” cat for you….”Iggy,” the Interactive Cat!

Iggy is the most affectionate, social cat that you will find. Give him the invitation and he will leap onto your shoulders and hang around your neck all day long. He talks to you, gives kisses and purrs with a loud chirping sound as long as he is near you. The most amazing thing is that he understands the word “no”…..a word that is not normally in a cat’s vocabulary! When you decide that you’ve had enough of his attention and you don’t want him around your neck anymore, simply put him down on the floor, point your finger at him and say “no.” Iggy then gives you a very sad, pouty look but immediately lies down and leaves you alone until you invite him up for the next round of affection. Iggy truly is an interactive cat! And he’s gorgeous… dark orange silky soft fur and beautiful facial markings and expressions. He is about one year old, sterilized, healthy and ready to interact with anyone who wants to share in some purr-fect feline love.

You may meet Iggy and the other pets up for adoption at the Bonaire Animal Shelter on the Lagoen Road. Open Monday through Saturday, 8am-1pm and 3 to 5pm. Telephone 717-4989. It’s always up to date.

Story byJane Madden Disko/Laura DeSalvo , Bonaire Reporter, January 6-20, 2012

Pet of the week: Lovely Rita

Shelter Cat Maven, Jane Madden-Disko writes: “Lovely “Rita” and her sister, Roseanne,” arrived at the Bonaire Animal Shelter about eight months ago as beautiful, small kittens. Affectionate, but not pushy, they usually sit quietly off to the side watching and waiting for potential forever home families to notice them, rather than yelling “Pick me! Pick me!” Their laid back attitude is probably why they are still at the Shelter, because when you do notice these sisters you won’t walk away. They are affectionate, playful and have the most amazingly soft fur….more like rabbit fur than cat fur. Rita is a beautiful grey and white tabby with that fabulous cat eyeliner! Sister Roseanne is a very unusual calico tabby…..red, grey, white, black and brown STRIPES instead of calico spots with the same lovely eyeliner. Rita and Roseanne will be small cats. They are now full grown….so they won’t take up very much room in your house, but they will surely fill up your heart!”

Keep in mind that for the $55 cost of the Cat Adoption Fee, much is included. The cats have been checked medically, shots given, worming, tested for feline leukemia and sterilized. And they have been proven “social.” It’s the best deal in town and you can be assured of getting the best in pets at the Bonaire Animal Shelter!

See Rita and Roseanne and the other adoptees at the Shelter on the Lagoen Road, open Monday-Saturday, 8 am–1pm, 3-5 pm. Tel. 717-4989.

Bonaire Reporter – Nov. 25-Dec. 9, 2011

pet of the week Puck the dog and Hanny

What a fun fellow “Puck” is. Posing with Bonaire Animal Shelter staff member, Hanny Hoogerkamp, she shows that she’s loving the attention and hugs. Both of them have big smiles on their faces. Puck has the most amazing expressions. Along with her startled looking eyebrows she (usually) likes to keep one perky ear up and one down – very cute. Puck is about 13 months old, she’s tall and slender but with an athletic build. She’s friendly, as you can see, she’s playful and she would be an excellent watch dog. And she gets along with other dogs as well. She’s healthy, has been checked out by the vet, has had her shots, worming – the works. All that for a $75 adoption fee for dogs. And that also includes sterilization and an identity chip which is mandatory if the dog is transported to the US or Europe.

You are invited to stop by and meet Puck and the other dogs and cats up for adoption at the Shelter on the Lagoen Road, open Monday through Saturday 8 am – 1 pm, 3 to 5 pm. Tel. 717-4989.

Laura De-Salvo, Bonaire Reporter – November 11-25, 2011

Justin, Jordan and the Friendly Felines

No matter the age or gender,it seems no one can resist giving and getting a little love from the friendly felines at the Bonaire Animal Shelter. Two of the Shelter’s strong, young male helpers took some time out from their Shelter duties to enjoy some kitty love. Pelikaan school students, Justin and Jordan are enjoying the soft and gentle affections of “Ursula,” “Maurice” and “Grover,” three very special Shelter cats.

Ursula, the 10-week old red tabby kitten in the arms of Justin, is a rarity. The majority of all red tabbies are male, but Ursula, as her name indicates, is all girl! She has recently become the very best friend of Maurice, the red tabby male in the middle of the boys,who was recently featured as a Pet of the Week. Seems Maurice realizes what a rare beauty Ursula is and has decided she is the girl of his dreams and they are constant companions. Jordan is holding Grover, a black and white kitten with his own special story. He and his sister Banjo arrived at the Shelter motherless at only three weeks old. Shelter staffer Regina Schouten took them home and hand fed them every four hours until they were old enough to eat on their own and join the rest of the Shelter’s cat family. The result, Grover and Banjo LOVE people. Their purr engines are up and running at the first sign of human touch. Each of these lovely cats…and plenty more….are available for adoption and ready to share that special feline love with you and your family.

Jane Madden, Bonaire Reporter- Oct. 28-Nov. 11, 2011

Farah, the full of fun Dalamation

What a great pal “Farah,” our Pet of the Week, could be. She is full of fun, she’s energetic and would love to find an owner who could appreciate her. She’d make an excellent watch dog who would be protective of her owners, but she’s also very sweet and playful. Those humans who exercise would really make a good fit for her. Farah is about two years old and has some Dalmatian background which gives her that snowy white coat with black detailing – very attractive.

She’s a medium sized dog but with a big personality. Keep in mind that Farah has been checked out by the vet, has been wormed and given her shots and the adoption fee includes that as well as sterilization and even a micro chip that’s been inserted under her skin for identification.

You may see Farah and the other pets up for adoption at the Bonaire Animal Shelter on the Lagoen Road, open Monday through Saturday, 8 am to1 pm and 3 to 5 pm. Tel. 717- 4989.

Bonaire Reporter – October 14-28, 2011

Pet of the week: Maurice the cat

Jane Madden Disko, considered the “Bonaire Animal Shelter Cat Guru,” writes (very knowingly) about Maurice, our Pet of the Week. “Maurice (he insists on the French pronunciation: more-EESS) is an absolutely stunning young man.

He is definitely not your typical orange tabby. Maurice has a distinctive, elegantly shaped head in the style of Egyptian cats and his pastel orange coat is unusually and exotically marked. Despite his incredible good looks, he is not at all conceited or stand-offish. Maurice is extremely people-friendly.
He loves to be held and stroked and will happily join in a game of go fetch the ball. He is loving and affectionate to his feline roommates as well. Maurice is about eight months old and will be a large, lean adult. He is sterilized, vaccinated and just waiting for someone who would like to have an unusual and loving cat in their home.”

Things go in cycles, even at the Shelter, where right now there is a number of red furred kittens available for adoption. Stop by and see for yourself. The Shelter on the Lagoen Road is open Monday through Saturday, 8 am-1 pm and 3-5 pm. Tel. 717-4989.

Bonaire Reporter – Sept. 30, – Oct. 14, 2011

Pet of the Week: Iron, the comical looking dog

Here are “Iron” (pronounced “Eye Ron”) and long time Shelter employee,Kenneth Piar. As you can tell by the expression on Iron’s face, Kenneth is a good friend. Iron is a comical looking dog with his cute face – one ear up, one ear down and that wiry fur. If the Hollywood movie producers saw him they’d hire him in a minute. He’s even cuter than the dog, Sandy, in “Annie!” But Hollywood may not be for him. He’d rather find a nice friendly and adoring master or mistress and perform for them instead. When he was just a puppy someone put him in the drop off cage (Kouchi Pa Bestia). He was very skinny and malnourished. But look at him now. What a guy. He’s friendly, not aggressive, but full of energy  and lots of fun. He’s a smarty too and should be easy to train. At one and a half years old, he’s healthy, sterilized, has his microchip and is ready to go. (Do we hear Hollywood calling?).

Good news! Former Pets of the Week, Louis, Eveline and Lily Marlene have all been adopted! Congratulations to all – pets and their new owners.May you enjoy many happy times.

Hans the kitten

This face says it all…..” Hi! Can I go home with you?” When “Hans” arrived at the Shelter at just eight weeks old the Shelter staff took notice. Cats with his coloring are quite rare in male cats, and especially rare on Bonaire…dark grey striping with just a touch of “coffee with cream.” His coloring coupled with his curiosity and love of human affection made him a very special kitten.

Hans is now about 3 1/2 months old, still a kitten, and continues to delight both his human and feline friends. He’s the first at the compound gate to say “I missed you, can you pet me now?” Hans and his roommates are all healthy, vaccinated and just waiting for you to come and visit and welcome one or more of them into your heart and home.

You may meet Hans and the other healthy and social cats and dogs up for adoption at the Bonaire Animal Shelter on the Lagoen Road, open Monday through Saturday, 8 am—1 pm and 3 to 5 pm. Tel. 717-4989.

Jane Madden Disko, Bonaire Reporter – August 5-19, 2011.