Pet of the week: Elizabeth, a very rare beauty

Posted on August 31, 2010 by Marlies in Pet of the Week | No Comments

Elisabeth the cat, a rare beauty

Jane Madden, one of the spokespersons from the Bonaire Animal Shelter’s cat cage residents, writes about our Pet of the Week, “Elizabeth.” “Elizabeth is a very rare beauty! Red and white female cats are quite uncommon… and Elizabeth carries her colors with regal bearing.

She is only five months old but already has a strong and sturdy physique unlike most female cats and will be a beautiful adult queen. Her exceptional beauty is accentuated by amber eyes that are deep and soulful. Elizabeth has a gentle and loving demeanor and loves to be handled and carried…but bring out the toys and the royal robes are off and she’s a fun-loving kitten at play. She loves other cats, dogs but is perfectly happy with just human companionship.”

The adoption fee for cats is NAƒ 95 and that includes tests for feline leukemia,shots, worming and even sterilization. You can be assured you’re getting a healthy and sociable pet when you adopt from our Shelter.

Story by Laura DeSalvo/Jane Madden, Bonaire Reporter- Aug. 27-Sept. 10, 2010

Today August 21, is International Homeless Animals’ Day

Posted on August 21, 2010 by Marlies in News | 1 Comment

In 1992, ISAR introduced National Homeless Animals’ Day as an educational vehicle to raise awareness of the pet overpopulation epidemic and its simple solution to spay and neuter.

This special day was introduced with a purpose of informing society of a tragedy that overwhelms animal shelters (also on Bonaire) each year – pet overpopulation.

Via Streetdogblog

Ronald, the big black dog at the Shelter Bonaire

Posted on June 18, 2010 by Marlies in Pet of the Week | 1 Comment

Ronald, the big black dog in the photo, looks like a mellow guy and he is with those he loves. But watch out if someone comes along with bad intentions! He turns into a  very efficient watch dog. Ronald is about a year and a half and was brought into the Bonaire Animal Shelter because his owner was moving to a place where no pets are allowed.

What a pleasant and smart dog, and he’s friendly and affectionate too. You have to meet him in person to really see what a great animal he is. He’s healthy, having been checked out by the vet, has had his shots, tests, worming and even his sterilization already.

He’s ready to go to someone who will treat him with the love and respect he deserves. You may meet him at the Shelter on the Lagoen Road, open Monday through Saturday, 9 am to 1 pm, 3 to 5 pm. Tel. 717-4989.

Bonaire Reporter – June 18– July 2, 2010, Story & photo by Laura DeSalvo

Who Cares? They did!

Posted on February 07, 2010 by Marlies in Pet of the Week | 2 Comments

Last week on Monday Leandro Martinez and Luis Flores were conducting a guided tour on ATV quads with cruise ship passengers.

Somewhere along the road from Lagun to Spelonk one of the tourists spotted a puppy. The whole caravan came to a standstill when one puppy after another came stumbling from behind the rocks. The joint effort resulted in the rescue of 10 puppies of barely six weeks old. Alas, the mother was nowhere to be found.

That afternoon Leandro and Luis came to the Bonaire Animal Shelter saying, “We have a  problem,” and with big smiles they handed the Shelter’s staff one of the quad’s blue boxes filled to capacity with the 10 puppies. Sadly, three of the pups didn’t make it, but the other seven are doing fine.

As they were covered in a tsunami of lice they were bathed repeatedly, they were also dewormed and got their shots. They’re still a bit wobbly and sleeping a lot, but in a week or two they will be strong and handsome and ready for adoption! Thanks to Leandro and Luis and the tourists seven little dogs’ lives were saved because they cared!

In addition to this event, the Shelter has built a new facility for the public to use: a kennel outside the gate where people can drop off pets at any time.  Leaving an animal at the Shelter has always been for free and it always will be, but somehow there are still people who prefer to dump the pets in the mondi which hopefully won’t be necessary anymore.

Greta Kooistra, Bonaire Reporter, February 5-19, 2010

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!

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.

Finn and Petunia

Posted on November 27, 2009 by Marlies in Pet of the Week | No Comments

This young lady, Finn, nine years old, is a regular volunteer at the Bonaire Animal Shelter. Finn is a student at the Pelican School and you will find here at the Shelter every  wednesday, helping out with all the pets. Here she is with new arrival, “Petunia,” a  seven-week-old puppy who came into the Shelter with her brother. Their mother was hit and killed by a car but luckily the puppies were found and brought into the Shelter.
Finn’s job that day was to bathe both puppies and she did a fine job. Petunia’s brother already has been adopted but he and Petunia will have to stay on until they are a little older and stronger. Both puppies are healthy and in perfect shape for their age. They’ve had their tests, worming and will be sterilized when they’re old enough. You can always be sure that adopting a dog or cat from the Shelter assures you of a “nearly perfect” pet – healthy and social.

You may see “Petunia” and the other pets up for adoption at the Shelter on the Lagoen Road,
open Monday through Saturday, 9 am to 1 pm, 3 to 5 pm. Tel. 717-4989.

Laura DeSalvo, Bonaire Reporter- Nov. 27-Dec. 11, 2009

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

Fantastic Guard dog Zack

Posted on August 21, 2009 by Marlies in Pet of the Week | 1 Comment

Here’s a dog that could be an answer to someone’s dream. He’s a fantastic guard dog with a deep bark but his short legs keep him from jumping over a fence or wall! What a combination. You don’t have to build up your wall or fence to contain him!

He’s Zacharius, “Zack” for short (pardon the pun). This handsome fellow is about five months old and is in perfect form. He has a well balanced assertive manner that shows he has self confidence. His cropped caramel colored fur is easy to care for and he was inquisitive deep brown eyes.

Of course he, as are all the other pets for adoption at the Bonaire Animal Shelter, is in top health and is social with people and other pets (but not with burglars!).

L.D. Bonaire Reporter- Aug. 21-Sept. 4, 2009

Lucky Leo

Posted on February 13, 2009 by Marlies in Pet of the Week | No Comments

Here’s lucky “Leo” being given special attention by volunteer Corky Halberg. During her nine-week vacation in Bonaire this year Corky volunteers at the Bonaire Animal Shelter. What a nice thing to do and how appreciative are the animals she spends time with. This is especially a fine deal for those people who come to the island and miss their pets!

Leo is only a year old, but he’s considered a “special needs” pup. Other dogs consider him the lowest of the pack and have treated him harshly. This must have happened to him on the street too because he wandered into a real estate office, seeking asylum, possibly with one of their clients buying a house and who needed a dog to go with it? Leo is such a darling, with his funny face and always has one ear up and one down. He just needs the right owner who can give him attention. Of course, as are all the other adoptees, he’s in excellent health, has had his shots and tests and is ready to go. Thank you for posing for me, Leo and Corky.

The Shelter on the Lagoen Road is open Monday through Saturday, 9 am to 1 pm, 3 pm to 5 pm. Telephone 717-4989.

L.D. Bonaire Reporter February 13-27, 2009

Christmas is coming

Posted on December 05, 2008 by Marlies in News | No Comments

Christmas is coming and a perfect gift that can make everyone happy is a Bonaire Animal Shelter T-shirt. They’re NAƒ 12 for kids. Tank tops are NAƒ 15 and Tees are NAƒ 22. There’s a fine selection at the Shelter itself, at Carib Inn and on cruise ship days (see Happenings section) they’re sold at the Animal Shelter stand at the crafts market at Wilhelmina Park.

According to the staff at the Shelter, gift giving should not include animals – as the gift. People need to pick out their own pets and although the thought might be nice it’s not fair to the pet or the person who receives it. Choosing a pet is a serious and responsible matter and the owner must be ready and able to take on the training and care of a new dog or cat. There have been cases at the Shelter where a pet was given to someone who couldn’t do that and the pet had to be returned; stress for all, especially the pet.

L.D. Bonaire Reporter December 5-19, 2008