One Woman is Asking For Your Help to Solve Jamaica’s Stray Dog Problem

When animal lover Emily Haggin left rainy London for sunny Jamaica, a few weeks back, she anticipated sandy beaches, scorching sun, and flawless scenery. What she didn’t expect was the sight of numerous stray dogs roaming around the beach near her hotel in Montego Bay. Sometimes, when you least expect it, you find yourself in a situation where you feel compelled to act. Then again, an animal lover is always an animal lover, regardless of the situation. Haggin was just doing what any other person who loves animals would do. And we love those kinds of people!

Feeding Fearful Stray Dogs with Other Guests at the Hotel

Together with several other sympathetic guests from the hotel, Haggin started feeding the dogs, who looked like they could do with a dozen meals, at least. It was hard feeding the animals because they were too terrified of humans to get close. And with reports saying how common it is for people to throw stones at these poor animals, it’s easy to see why they fear humans.

”Seeing the helpless animals was something that affected me very deeply and I am not ashamed to say reduced me to tears on many occasions while on holiday,” Haggin told One Green Planet. 

The only shelter these dogs have is under a bamboo hut near the hotel but not for much longer. The hotel will soon be knocking down the hut for its expansion, meaning these poor animals will soon lose the only shelter they have to protect them from harsh sun rays and heavy rainfall.

Haggin just couldn’t return home without taking action for these animals. She was determined to help them and that is exactly what she did.

These Animals Have a Chance to Be Rescued! Here’s How…

Thanks to another animal lover staying at the hotel, Haggin heard about an animal rescue organization in Jamaica that could possibly help the stray dogs in Montego Bay. The Animal House Jamaica, founded in the 1990s, is dedicated to rescuing and sheltering stray, injured and neglected animals in Jamaica. Its founder, Maureen, who is actually from the U.K, has been rescuing animals in Jamaica for the last three decades. If anyone was going to help with the rescue of these dogs, it would be this wonderful woman.

When Haggin got back to the U.K., the sight of the stray dogs still clear in her mind, she decided to create a Go Fund Me campaign to help save the starving dogs in Jamaica. With enough donations, The Animal House Jamaica can rescue the dogs and give them the attention, care, and love they deserve.

”The attitude to the animals by many in Jamaica is nothing like it is back home in the UK,” said Haggin. ”We have laws to protect the animals in the UK, which is the big difference. These poor creatures are just not protected in the same way.”

Animal Welfare in Jamaica

Behind the stunning and exotic facade lies an ugly truth about Jamaica: an animal welfare crisis. It’s not just Jamaica. Animal cruelty happens all over the world, in every country across the globe, but animal cruelty is common in Jamaica.

The biggest problem with animals is, first of all, homelessness. There are many stray dogs, cats, cows, and goats roaming around in the country, often hungry, sick and in poor health.

Abuse is another issue. Many people dislike animals and find them a nuisance and many people neglect their animals. They may have had a pet cat or dog but they feel no shame in throwing them out and leaving them to survive on their own.

The Animal House Jamaica wants to improve conditions for animals in the country through their rescue and humane education program. Fortunately, you have the power to help too.

How You Can Help

If you would like to help these needy dogs in Jamaica, the best thing you can do is make a donation via Emily Haggin’s Go Fund Me campaign. which is set up to the account of the Animal House Jamaica.

No matter how big or small, your donation can make an immense difference. It will give these poor dogs a second chance at life. A chance to be loved, looked after and ultimately, happy.

Image Source: Emily Haggin/GoFundMe