Pioneer vet back

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Marlies in News | No Comments

Six years after Canadian veterinarian Dr. Cheryl Yuill participated in the Bonaire Animal Shelter’s first free sterilization program in 2004, she returned to Bonaire.
Accompanied by Canadian veterinarian Dr. Mary Lovie who owns a house on Bonaire and who started the whole campaign up at the time, she visited the Shelter. “I’m glad to see so much has changed,”

Left to right: Dr. Mary Lovie, Dr. Cheryl Yuill, Shelter employee Kenneth Piar and Shelter manager Marlies Tiepel

Dr. Yuill says. “There are far fewer stray dogs on the street and the public awareness has become so much better. Several people have come up to me when they heard I was part of the first sterilization program to tell me very proudly that their dog was sterilized! I am also very impressed with the little house the Shelter has built outside their gate for people to put their unwanted animals or animals they’ve found. It’s nicer than the one we have at the shelter I work with in Canada. There we get about 2,500 cats and 1,000 dogs a year that people cannot take care of anymore. Many of those animals are adopted out, but it’s not a no-kill shelter; we also euthanize animals.

In Canada I own and work at the Blue Cross Animal Hospital, in Kitchener, Ontario, and it was my colleague, Dr. Mary Lovie, who took the initiative for the sterilization campaign in 2004.

“I came to Bonaire in 2000 to dive,” Dr. Mary Lovie says, “and in my spare time I looked up the Animal Shelter and I had a conversation with Jurrie, who was the manager in those days, about all the strays downtown and was anything done about them. I offered my services to Jurrie and he took me to Hans and Etty Lambeek, the  veterinarian couple who were then running the animal clinic at Kaminda Lagun. They were very interested when they heard I’d organized similar sterilization projects in other  parts of the world. So, we had several meetings in the following years and in 2004 we hit it off: the two Dutch vets, three American vets and Cheryl and me from Canada. We all brought our own instruments and all the other supplies, and Hans and Etty brought the drugs. From October 14th till October 31st we sterilized 302 animals and it continued after we left.

In conclusion: We’re very happy to see the island has picked up on our program, and it’s heartwarming to see the benefits. We’re highly impressed with the new sterilization campaign the Animal Shelter started last year in May. They’ve sterilized almost 500 animals. It’s been very good progress.  Amazing!”

Greta Kooistra, Bonaire Reporter, March 19- April 9, 2010

Dog hair song

Posted on March 17, 2010 by Marlies in News | No Comments

On the music blog The smell of Music I found this great song.

Shelter needs donations to keep sterilization program going

Posted on March 10, 2010 by Marlies in Current Activities, News | No Comments

The Shelter’s Sterilization Program, “Bonny Superdog,” is still going full speed, but to keep up with the demand they desperately need donations to keep the program going. If you can help – any amount is more than welcome – you may do it in several ways. Cash donations are always appreciated.

Look for the dog house donation boxxes in many shops and businesses or at the Shelter. SupportBonaire provides a way for Americans to donate to their favorite causes and claim charitable deductions on their American income tax. Support Bonaire website now accepts credit card donations for the Shelter. Or you may donate via the bank: Animal Shelter Bonaire, RBTT Bank Antilles, Bonaire Branch, Account # 23.10.139. BIC: RBTTANCU SWIFT: ABNANL2A

Animal Shelter Bonaire on Youtube

Posted on March 09, 2010 by Marlies in News | No Comments

The Animal Shelter Bonaire on Youtube.

Art for Animal Shelter Bonaire

Posted on March 01, 2010 by Marlies in News, Sponsors & Friends | No Comments

Sika Mik made beautiful pieces of art out of driftwood and coral. The art was sold in the Kontiki restaurant.  Sika donated the revenues of this sale to the Animalshelter Bonaire.

Thank you very much Sika Mik!

Valerie’s Airport Shop sponsors Animal Shelter Bonaire

Posted on February 28, 2010 by Marlies in News, Sponsors & Friends | No Comments

The Animal Shelter Bonaire welcomes the Valerie’s Airport Shop as a new sponsor.

Thanks very much Valerie’s Airport Shop!

Dierenasiel Bonaire introduceert ‘diervriendelijk afstandshok’

Posted on February 23, 2010 by Marlies in Current Activities, News | 1 Comment

Het dierenasiel Bonaire heeft deze week een ‘diervriendelijk afstandshok’ in gebruik genomen. Dit hok staat buiten de tweede poort van het dierenasiel en geeft de bevolking van het eiland de mogelijkheid om hier anoniem en buiten openingstijden om, een hond of kat in te herbergen. Dit kunnen huisdieren zijn die de mensen afstaan en waar ze niet langer meer voor kunnen zorgen. Maar ook kunnen het ‘gevonden’ dieren of loslopende honden of katten zijn die mensen langs de weg vinden.

Dierenleed voorkomen
De reden dat het asiel dit hok heeft gebouwd is dat normaliter mensen hun dier -buiten openingstijden- ook bij het asiel achterlieten, maar dan op een dieronvriendelijke manier. Ze werden vastgebonden aan de poort, in de volle zon en zonder water. Het kwam ook geregeld voor dat de dieren over het hek gegooid werden en zich hierdoor bezeerden. Of dat ze voor de poort in een kartonnen doos werden gezet, de doos vervolgens kapot beten en de drukke weg op renden. Natuurlijk met de kans aangereden te worden.

Diervriendelijk
Het hok is een veel vriendelijkere manier om de dieren in te herbergen. Zo staat in deze kooi altijd een bak met vers water, de wind kan er goed doorheen blazen, het hok staat in de schaduw en bij regen zitten de diertjes lekker droog. En twee keer per dag, zelfs op zondag, wordt gechecked of er een dier in het hok geplaatst is. De dieren zitten dus nooit lang in het hok.

Wat gebeurt er met de afstandsdieren?
De dieren die het asiel in dit hok aantreft, krijgen dezelfde behandeling als de andere honden en katten die worden afgestaan. Als het asiel vermoedt dat het dier van huis is weggelopen, dan gaan de asielmedewerkers actief op zoek naar de eigenaar. Indien niet het geval is en de hond of kat is gezond, dan probeert het asiel vanzelfsprekend een nieuwe eigenaar voor het dier te vinden.

Eerste hond in hok terug bij eigenaar
De eerste hond die het asiel in het hok aantrof was een schattig dier. De viervoeter droeg gelukkig een penning aan zijn halsband. Zo konden de medewerkers van het asiel de eigenaar van het dier gemakkelijk traceren. De eigenaar was dolblij om zijn hond weer terug te zien!

Het dierenasiel Bonaire wil de sponsor Valerie’s Airport Shop en de vrijwilligers bedanken die het hok hebben gebouwd.

Animal Shelter Bonaire on Dutch Blog

Posted on February 13, 2010 by Marlies in News | No Comments

Interested in the daily life at the Animal Shelter Bonaire? Read Honden.Blogo: a  blog about dogs.  I’m sorry… In Dutch only!

Tremendous book and fleamarket at the Animal Shelter Bonaire

Posted on February 08, 2010 by Marlies in News | No Comments

Saturday, February 6, the Animal Shelter has held a tremendous book and flea market at the Kaminda Lagun.  Many volunteers started early to display all books and other articles and have been working all day to make sure everything went well.

From 11.00 am, people started to come in and lots of visitors have been coming whole day. While having a drink or snack, many customers took their time to look around between the many, many items that were for sale, to see if there was something they liked and could buy for little money. They found a lot to buy. The ambiance was great. Many people met friends or acquaintance.

For the Animal Shelter it was a very good day. A container that is a lot emptier and a cashbox that is a lot fuller. for more than Naf. 4.000,00 was sold.

All the money will be used to keep the shelter doing their work and for various smaller projects.

The Shelter would like to thank the We Dare to Care Foundation and Martinus Import nv for placing at the disposal of tables and tents.

On the Island Since… 2003, Marlies Tiepel

Posted on February 07, 2010 by Marlies in News | No Comments

Shelter volunteers Kenneth, Melody, ”Charlie,” Wanda, Akkie with Marlies

“I came here because I felt like a bit more ‘oxygen’ in my life – more freedom. I don’t know, we just went! In Holland I’d studied cultural anthropology and ended up on the marketing side. In my first job I was the boss of a development corporation foundation. That was kind of special – being a woman and the youngest person on the team. I was only 29. I did that for a couple of years, then I started working for the Ministry of Economic Affairs as an account manager in the patents field and during the same time we had a furniture shop.

I didn’t see the move to Bonaire as an adventure – that sounds so silly – but it was a lot of paperwork and there were lots of boxes to pack and unpack. I began renting holiday homes here, but after a while that takes care of itself and you’re only busy with tourists. It doesn’t make you feel part of the community and everything that’s going on in it.
After a year I was asked by Michelle, who was working for the  Animal Shelter, if I wanted to join the team. I started immediately.

When the previous manager, left I was asked by the board to take over. I was eager to make changes. I wanted to give the Shelter a friendlier face – more open so that everyone – visitors, people who are looking for a pet, people who don’t want their pet anymore – would feel welcome. We changed the opening hours so that people could come in the afternoon and on Saturdays as well. Publicity is another important issue. You have to keep the public informed about everything that’s going on, and we’re doing that through the local media. We also invite schools to come for a visit.

We upgraded and promoted the pet boarding facility and we  turned the team and the volunteers into a close-knit group of people. The Shelter depends a great deal on those  volunteers. We couldn’t do without them. These people keep us going, they are very much involved and reliable and we can absolutely count on them – they are irreplaceable.

We also have a very active and supportive board, loyal and generous sponsors, and one of our most appreciated co-workers is Kenneth Piar, who’s been with the Shelter for over 15 years! He’s an easy going guy, always in a good mood and has a natural talent when it comes to dealing with animals. He’s never been bitten by a dog! But I was! I feel that a civilized country should treat their animals in a civilized way… but in 2009 the Shelter had to euthanize almost 1,000 animals. That’s a horrible and sad number and it never happened before. I just can’t accept it and so a change has to come. Our primary goal is to shelter animals and to put them up for adoption, but the reality is very different. In 2009, almost 100 animals were left at the Shelter  every month, 75% of them dogs. Imagine… 100 animals per month. That’s about three or four per day, seven days a week. And for a small island like Bonaire with 15,000 inhabitants that’s way too much! Of course we would love to be a no-kill shelter, but the circumstances won’t let us. What should we do? We can’t release the sick, mentally disturbed or wounded animals back on the streets. They would die of starvation, they would be killed by cars or by each other and people wouldn’t be safe either. The main reason that so many  cats and dogs are dumped by their owners is that people don’t want to or cannot take responsibility for their pets. Sometimes it’s a matter of money, but most of the time it’s negligence; people just don’t care enough. They leave their pets when they move to another location. They let them get pregnant every time they’re in heat and they let them roam the streets by themselves. Or they lock them up in a crate for life, put them on a chain and never let them loose. Then after a year or so the animal goes mad and becomes a threat or loses all interest in life and then they don’t want it anymore. And then there’s also abuse and starvation and many diseases that will kill the animal eventually.

There are a lot of prejudicial opinions as to who is to blame, but let me tell you something. People from every background or origin are capable of doing such things. It’s a personal thing; it’s about responsibility and respect for all living creatures; it’s about seeing life in a  positive way. It’s not about culture! Over the last years the Shelter has worked very hard to drastically reduce the number of animals that have been left there. We started with an educational program about how to take proper care of your pets, and through various media we’re also informing people about all kinds of issues concerning animals. We started a ‘sarna’ mange project because there was an explosion of  mange all over the island. For five months we went to inject dogs at people’s houses three weeks in a row for free.  This year we will do it again. It takes a lot of time and effort, but it does help  and people get to know us. Last year in May we began an active castration and sterilization program, ‘Bonny, the Superdog,’ through which people can have their pet sterilized for free. Since May 2009 more than 400 pets have been sterilized. And we’re trying to increase the number of adoptions by finding new owners for the Shelter animals as soon as possible. Therefore 2009 gave us another record: more than 209 adoptions! We are not doing this all by ourselves; we’re working with several animal organizations on the island like STINAPA, the Animal Welfare committee, the local veterinarians and the island’s dog trainer.

But to decrease the number of dogs and cats that end up at the Shelter and the number of animals that we have to put to sleep, we need all the help we can get from the people who live here and from the government as well.  The government especially has an important role to fulfill. They are the only ones who can revive the job of the dog catcher. LVV, the agricultural department, took care of this job for years – picking up stray dogs from the streets or unwanted dogs from people who didn’t have transport – but they  stopped doing it because of internal reorganization. We took over; we didn’t get paid; we didn’t have the car. We used our own cars, gasoline and spare time because the government had promised us the job and the car and because there was a tremendous need for it. Now, after numerous  meetings with all parties involved, who all agree that we should get the job, we still need a signature from the government and so we’re waiting, and meanwhile more dogs are roaming the streets and more pets are being dumped in the sea or in rural areas. It’s awfully frustrating. Also,  we would like the government to set up a registration (dog tags) for people’s pets.

“Charlie” and Marlies

Well, there are many more plans, fundraisings and informative and educative projects coming up. One of them has happened already. We’ve put a cage outside our gate where people can put their unwanted pets – a much needed facility to prevent people from dumping their animals elsewhere.”

Marlies Tiepel has a lust for life. She’s driven and passionate; she’s fast and she wants it ‘now!’ but she’s not blind to how the world works. She knows how to put things in perspective and she has a tremendous sense of humor. She’s the heart and soul of the Animal Shelter, a very bright and compassionate girl. She laughs: “I don’t see this as  ‘my job.’ I can’t say it’s my hobby either and at the end of the week we all have to go for a drink  to get rid of the misery. But, on the other hand, we are also extremely happy with all the good things that have been accomplished. The Shelter is in spite of everything a happy place. It’s always busy and many adults and children and also tourists come to help or visit or chat. Everybody is always welcome! What we want is for every dog and cat to be a ‘Superdog’ and ‘Supercat’ and every pet owner to be a ‘Super owner.’ That’s the dream and one day it will come true…”

Story & photos, by Greta Kooistra, Bonaire Reporter, February 5-19, 2010

Panchito club at Animal Shelter Bonaire

Posted on January 30, 2010 by Marlies in News | No Comments

On January 16, the Pachitoclub visited the Animal shelter Bonaire.

Book Fair and Flea Market on Saturday, February 6

Posted on January 30, 2010 by Marlies in Current Activities, News | No Comments

The Animal Shelter Bonaire will hold a Giant Book Fair and Flea Market on Saturday, February 6f rom 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the shelter located at 26 Kaminda Lagun. Thousands of books, in English and Dutch, will be available for only 2 guilders each or less. You can choose from fiction, classics, reference books, manuals, children’s books, hardcover or paperback.

There will also be thousands of flea market items ranging from clothing and household goods to paintings and children’s items. Drinks and snacks will be available during the fair and you can also shop in the Shelter Gift Shop for all sorts of items for your pet.

All the funds raised will benefit the Animal Shelter. And, of course, all the shelter animals will be there and you may find a dog or cat that you would like to adopt!

Please pass by and browse, buy, eat, drink and enjoy the festive atmosphere at the Giant Book Fair and Flea Market, Saturday,  February 6, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., 26 Kaminda Lagun. Don’t miss it!

Persbericht 25 januari 2010: Dierenasiel Bonaire is eindstation tegen wil en dank

Posted on January 25, 2010 by Marlies in News | 1 Comment

Asiel werkt hard om dierenwelzijn op Bonaire naar hoger plan te tillen

In 2009 heeft het dierenasiel Bonaire bijna 1000 huisdieren moeten euthanaseren. Een vreselijk groot aantal. Zo veel dieren heeft het asiel nog nooit moeten laten inslapen. Het dierenasiel Bonaire vindt dat het niet langer zo kan. Er moeten oplossingen komen om dit trieste aantal te verminderen en het dierenwelzijn op Bonaire naar een hoger plan te tillen.

Eindstation tegen wil en dank
In 2009 werden er per maand circa 100 dieren bij het asiel achtergelaten, waarvan zo’n 75 procent honden. Stel je eens voor…honderd dieren per maand, dat zijn er 3 á 4 per dag, 7 dagen per week. Dat is voor een klein eiland als Bonaire, met circa 15.000 inwoners werkelijk veel te veel.
Het asiel op het eiland is voor veel dieren het eindstation. Dit tegen wil en dank, want het asiel wil een doorgangshuis zijn. De primaire doelstelling van het asiel is dieren op te vangen en ze vervolgens te herplaatsen. Maar de omstandigheden laten dat gewoonweg niet toe. Moet het asiel dan zieke en gewonde dieren dan gewoon weer terug op straat zetten, ze laten verhongeren en aan hun lot overlaten?

Natuurlijk wil het dierenasiel het liefst een “no kill shelter” zijn. Een asiel waar alleen dieren de deur verlaten omdat ze geadopteerd worden. Helaas is dit niet mogelijk en we werken er hard aan om deze droom te verwezenlijken.

Trieste aantallen
De belangrijkste reden voor het feit dat er zoveel honden en katten bij het asiel worden gedumpt is het feit dat de diereneigenaren geen verantwoordelijkheid nemen voor hun huisdier. Vaak zijn de zwerfdieren in de steek gelaten door hun eigenaar. En soms hebben ze wel een baasje, maar laat de eigenaar ze los rondlopen en zorgen er niet voor. Ze laten hun dieren gewoon hun gang gaan, waardoor ze op jonge leeftijd zwanger raken. Voor de puppies en kittens wordt niet gezorgd. Vaak worden dit zwerfdieren en zijn meestal ziek en hongerig, zoeken voedsel en onderdak op plaatsen waar mensen wonen en zorgen daarmee weer voor overlast.

Vooroordelen
Er bestaan heel wat vooroordelen over wat voor type mensen dat nu zijn, die hun dieren afstaan. Het zouden met name Bonairianen zijn… die houden niet van hun dieren. Of  juist de Latino’s. Die droppen hun dier zonder pardon bij het asiel of erger nog….. ze gooien hun beestjes gewoon op straat. En anderen zeggen weer dat vooral Nederlanders zijn. Nederlanders zijn keihard en ruilen hun zieke oude huisdier zomaar in voor een nieuw exemplaar. En dan die Amerikanen. Zij komen een tijdje op Bonaire wonen , nemen voor een paar maandjes een hond en dumpen het daarna weer bij het asiel.

Maar dergelijke praatjes berusten niet op feiten en zijn vooroordelen. Het probleem is niet terug te voeren op één enkele bevolkingsgroep. Het probleem is heel evenredig over  inwoners van Bonaire verdeeld.

Wat doet het dierenasiel?
Het dierenasiel Bonaire heeft de afgelopen jaren hard gewerkt om het aantal dieren dat bij het asiel terecht komt drastisch te beperken. Zo hebben we een educatieprogramma over de zorg voor huisdieren en geven we in diverse media voorlichting en informatie over huisdieren. Ook voert het asiel een actieve castratie- en sterilisatiecampagne waarbij huisdierbezitters hun hond en kat gratis kunnen laten steriliseren. In 2009 zijn vanaf de start van deze campagne in mei, al meer dan 350 huisdieren gratis gesteriliseerd. Daarnaast proberen we het aantal adopties te vergroten en de asieldieren zo snel mogelijk onder te brengen bij nieuwe eigenaren. In 2009 behaalden we een record: 209 adopties (in 2008 waren dat er 198).
Het dierenasiel doet dit niet alleen en werkt samen met allerlei dierenorganisaties op het eiland, waaronder de dierenbescherming, natuurorganisatie Stinapa, dierenartsen en een professionele hondentrainer.

Hulp van overheid
Bij het terugbrengen van het aantal dieren dat het bij het asiel terechtkomt en het  verminderen van de honden en katten die ingeslapen moeten worden, hebben we hulp van de inwoners en de overheid van Bonaire nodig. Met name voor de overheid is een belangrijke rol weggelegd. Zo kan de overheid de inmiddels stopgezette taak van “hondenvanger” weer nieuw leven inblazen. De hondenvanger op Bonaire haalde tot een jaar geleden, dagelijks loslopende huisdieren op en bracht deze honden naar het asiel. Ook is het van belang dat de overheid de huisdieren gaat registreren, zodat de eigenaar altijd achterhaald kan worden en kan worden aangesproken op onverantwoordelijk gedrag.

Bonaire is trots op zijn huisdieren
2010 wordt een belangrijk jaar voor de huisdieren van Bonaire. Het is het jaar waarin het dierenasiel keihard gaat werken om de bevolking van het eiland trots te laten zijn op hun huisdieren. Het dierenasiel organiseert daartoe een aantal activiteiten. Zo zal het asiel dit jaar doorgaan met de gratis sterilisatie- en castratiecampagne van huisdieren. En natuurlijk probeert het asiel om ook in 2010 het  record aan adopties te verbreken. Daarnaast zal er nog meer worden gedaan op het gebied van voorlichting en educatie. Bovendien is er een aantal projecten in voorbereiding, zoals de bouw van een “diervriendelijk afstandshok”, waardoor honden en katten niet meer over het hek van het asiel worden gegooid of gedumpt worden voor de poort van het asiel  Ook gaan we in 2010 opnieuw de behandeling van schurft bij honden gratis aanbieden en actief voorlichting geven over deze ziekte.

Op deze manier probeert een bijdrage te leveren aan het dierenwelzijn op het eiland en Bonaire trots te laten zijn op zijn huisdieren!

Contactpersoon:
Marlies Tiepel, Manager Dierenasiel Bonaire
E-mail: animalshelter@flamingotv.net

Finally Hogan got adopted

Posted on January 22, 2010 by Marlies in Happy Endings, News | No Comments

He lives now with a family with a Germen Shepard and a cat.

And Hogan turned out to be a great swimmer!

Generous donation from Holland

Posted on January 22, 2010 by Marlies in News | No Comments

Joy, a friendly young lady from Holland visited the shelter and donated 295 Euro. Thanks very much Joy!

A happy 2010

Posted on January 02, 2010 by Marlies in News | No Comments

Animal Shelter Bonaire on Bonaire Twitter

Posted on December 09, 2009 by Marlies in News | No Comments

Bonaire Twitter is a collection of the headlines, news, tweets of the latest stories from the best sites and blogs that cover Bonaire, Dutch Antilles. The posts from the Animal Shelter Bonaire also are included on Bonairetwitter.com

For more information surf to Bonairetwitter.com: Tweets and news about Bonaire, Dutch Antilles

Puppy dumped

Posted on December 08, 2009 by Marlies in Happy Endings, News | No Comments

This puppy was dumped on somewhere on Bonaire. Fortunately he was found.
He slept for 3 days…

See the whole story on this YouTube video.

Animal shelter welcomes new sponsor

Posted on December 08, 2009 by Marlies in News, Sponsors & Friends | No Comments

The Animal Shelter Bonaire welcomes the Hoogenboom family from Kaag in Holland as a new sponsor.

Thanks very much Hoogenboom family!

Art auction and Indonesian diner Animal Shelter

Posted on December 01, 2009 by Marlies in News | No Comments

Friday, November 27, the Animal Shelter Bonaire has held her 5th bi-annual fundraiser, consisting of an Indonesian diner and the famous art auction. The event was held at Plaza Resort Bonaire this time.

Many local artists cooperated by donating some of their art pieces, which w

ere auctioned that evening by a dedicated René Essing, assisted by Aniek Schouten.

The Indonesian diner is cooked and served this time by the team of Rosita, “Bous” and Jerry, of the Plaza Resort. They have, together with cook Willem and many helpers, put together a delicious diner for around 120 guests.

The total result of the evening was over Naf. 14.000,00. All the money goes to the spay and neuter project of the Animal shelter; “Bonny the Superdog”

The Animal Shelter Bonaire is very thank full to all artists, volunteers and sponsors Plaza Resort and Warehouse, for their contribution to the fundraiser.

Can you help?

Posted on November 30, 2009 by Marlies in News | No Comments

The Shelter is looking for a volunteer to sell at the Shelter stand
at the Cruise Ship Market at Wilhelmina Park on cruise ship visitor days. It’s an extremely worthwhile job because all the proceeds go towards keeping the Shelter open to take in unwanted pets. You will be selling tee shirts, license plates, calendars and Germaine Nijdam hand painted signs.

If you can help please call Amina at 786-1905.

It’s a fun job too, other volunteers report.

Sterilization Campaign Update

Posted on November 26, 2009 by Marlies in News | No Comments

On May 15 the Animal Shelter started a large scale campaign to reduce the amount of stray and street dogs on Bonaire.
This project is called, “Bonny, the Superdog,” and so far more than 300 dogs have been sterilized. Number 300 was the dog from the Wing Cheung Supermarket on Kaya Korona. The dog’s name is Wong – a sturdy Rottweiler look-a-like who had given birth to a fairly large amount of puppies. Wong’s owners felt it was time for Wong to retire and decided to have her sterilized. The operation went well and when Wong got home she was welcomed with a big bowl of chicken legs.
Every dog a Superdog!

So, in the meantime more than 300 dogs have been sterilized, but the goal of “Bonny, the Superdog” sterilization project is to sterilize 500 dogs. This way, the Bonaire Animal Shelter hopes to contribute to changing many dogs’ lives into Superdog lives!

For more information about this free sterilization campaign you can contact the Shelter at: Dierenasiel Bonaire, Kaminda Lagun 26, Bonaire.

Bonaire Animal Shelter Bi-Annual Fundraiser: Indonesian Dinner and Art Auction

Posted on November 25, 2009 by Marlies in News | No Comments

Friday, November 27 – Bonaire Animal Shelter Bi-Annual Fundraiser: Indonesian Dinner and Art Auction.

Dinner 6 pm, Art Auction 8 pm.

Dinner is NAƒ 55 per person. Auction is free. Plaza Hotel. Tickets at: Asecom NV (717- 3207), Jacobs Architekten NV (787 -0466), Jan Kerklaan (786-3454), Animal Shelter Bonaire (717-4989).

Photo’s world animal day on Bonaire

Posted on November 12, 2009 by Marlies in News | No Comments

Take a look at the photo gallery of Animal Day on Bonaire: October 4th, 2009 on the Stinapa site

Hondenvanger Bonaire

Posted on November 07, 2009 by Marlies in News | No Comments

Bonaire beschikt sinds jaar en dag over een hondenvanger. De hondenvanger haalt dagelijks loslopende honden op en brengt deze honden -indien er plaats is- naar het dierenasiel in afwachting van een nieuwe eigenaar, ofwel naar de dierenkliniek alwaar men deze honden laat inslapen.

De hondenvanger was in dienst bij de Dienst Landbouw en Visserij (LVV), maar omdat deze dienst sinds februari 2009 niet over een hondenvanger kon beschikken, heeft het dierenasiel, vanwege de grote noodzaak deze taak tijdelijk waargenomen. Dit in afwachting van een oplossing bij de overheid. Tot op heden is het de overheid echter niet gelukt met een oplossing te komen.

De taak van de hondenvanger is door het personeel en de vrijwilligers van het asiel zo goed mogelijk uitgevoerd, doch het is voor het asiel helaas niet langer vol te houden en het bestuur heeft dan ook moeten besluiten te stoppen met het vervullen van deze taak.

Vanaf heden dient dan ook weer, net als voorheen, de LVV (tel: 717-8836) gebeld te worden indien er sprake is van zwerfdieren, achtergelaten honden, etc.

In de periode dat het dierenasiel de functie van hondenvanger uitoefende, hebben gelukkig enkele autoverhuurbedrijven geholpen om het ophalen van de honden mogelijk te maken.

Grote dank gaat dan ook uit naar Budget Car rental, AB Carrental en Caribbean Carrental.

De Stichting Dierenasiel Bonaire blijft hopen op een spoedige permanente oplossing voor het ontstane probleem.

Dinner and Art Auction

Posted on October 30, 2009 by Marlies in News | No Comments

Looking for a fun evening and an opportunity to help the Shelter? On Friday, November 27, the Shelter will again have their Indonesian Dinner and Art Auction.
Artists and others who want to help the Animal Shelter by donating a piece for the auction can contact Jan Kerklaan (tel. 786-3454), Paul Wichers (tel.7870466) or the Shelter (tel. 7174989). The Animal Shelter will be very thankful.All proceeds this time will go to the “Bonny Superdog” spay and neuter campaign,which is desperately in need of funds. Tickets for the dinner will be available soon.More information will follow.

Laura DeSalvo, Bonaire Reporter, Oct. 30-Nov. 13, 2009

Animal Shelter Bonaire on Facebook

Posted on October 28, 2009 by Marlies in News | No Comments

The Animal shelter already has page on the Dutch social networking site Hyves. But you can find news about thes shelter also on Facebook.

Join the Animal Shelter Bonaire page on Facebook.

World Animal Day – October 4: Big Party at Parke Publiko!

Posted on October 02, 2009 by Marlies in News | No Comments

The grandchildren of “Nachi” and Sabina Nicolaas from Nort di Salina visit the cat cage at the Shelter

Everywhere around the world October 4th is celebrated as the day that people give extra attention to their animals.
It’s like Valentine’s Day for the animals! All year long they give us unconditional love and this one day we get the opportunity to show them how much we appreciate it.

On Sunday, October 4th, the Animal Shelter of Bonaire is organizing a big party at the Parke Publiko – the playground of the We Dare to Care Foundation – behind the hospital. There will be a huge book market from 2 to 6 pm and from 4 pm we’re going to party!

Everyone can bring their pet and get a free consultation from a veterinarian. There will be a live demonstration of dog training by Bon Barking and people can visit the stands of all the organizations involved in animal care on the island.

Madelief loves cats

For children there will be all kinds of games and a drawing contest, and the best drawings will be printed on a T-shirt, and Magic Ed will be there with his bouncer,
cotton candy and popcorn! Every pet owner can participate in a contest. Just bring your favorite pet and a jury will tell you why your pet is the sweetest, the best taken care of and the most beautiful pet in the whole wide world! And if you favorite pet is a horse, a pig or a mouse and you can’t bring it,  show the jury a picture.

There are lots of prizes to win: A trip with the Aqua Space for two persons, an hour’s land sailing for two, a kayak tour through the mangroves for two people, lots of T-shirts, a four-hour tour with a STINAPA Ranger, a try out dive for two people at Dive Friends Bonaire, an animal package and two tickets for the Butterfly Farm. Warehouse Bonaire is giving away a check worth NAƒ. 200- and Cultimara offers one minute of free shopping.

You love animals? You’re invited to the party!

Where: Parke Publiko, behind the hospital.
When: Sunday, October 4th.
Time: Book market from 2 to 6 pm.
Party from 4 to 6 pm.
Info: Animal Shelter Bonaire, phone 717-4989

Pet personals

Posted on October 02, 2009 by Marlies in News | No Comments

Want to meet the pet of your dreams? Then check out the dogs and cats at the shelter. They were especially selected by the staff of the Bonaire Animal Shelter for their fine qualities. See them and the other adoptees at the Shelter on the Lagoen Road, open Monday through Saturday, 9 to 1 and 3 to 5. Tel. 717-4989

Flamingo TV sponsors Animal Shelter

Posted on September 28, 2009 by Marlies in News | No Comments

Flamingo TV Bonaire Cable TV & Internet Services sponsors the Animal Shelter with an one year free internet account.

Thank you very much Flamingo TV!!