The year before, in 2010, there were 217 adoptions. Of the animals brought in 75% were dogs and 25% cats. Compared to 2010, this last year, 2011, there were fewer dogs in the Shelter. The Shelter staff believes this has to do with the free sterilization program. That program will continue in 2012 and they will focus more on the free sterilization of cats.

Story 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

Poster is made by Gisela van Steenbergen and production is sponsored by Flamingo Communications Bonaire.

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

And if you’d like to give a monetary gift to the Shelter itself, their account for a Bonaire Animal Shelter General Donation is MCB #102.37800. Or if you’d like to donate to their Sterilization Fund, the accountis MCB #10616410.

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

Laura DeSalvo, Bonaire Reporter- Oct. 28-Nov. 11, 2011

Watch episode 7 of the the Animal Shelter Bonaire video series: Kids.

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

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.