SHARLENE RAMPERSAD
The T&T Society for the Prevention of Cruelty against Animals (TTSPCA) has started a relief drive for animals stranded after their owners fled the Red and Orange zones to escape the La Soufriere eruptions in St Vincent.
Chairman of TTSPCA Sita Kuruvilla told Guardian Media that while the collection of relief items was well underway, there is no indication yet of how many animals were left behind.
She said the TTSPCA has been in contact with their Vincentian counterparts, the St Vincent Society for the Prevention of Cruelty against Animals (SPCA).
In a heart-wrenching video posted on social media, a dog can be seen trailing its owner to a small pirogue, which a group of people boarded to leave the area. Left behind, the dog jumps into the water and begins swimming after the boat. He is quickly spotted and pulled on board but many animals were not so fortunate.
“We haven’t gotten any estimates from the SPCA but from what we understand, people who had to leave the area, many of them have left their animals there, so that’s the concern and also if people can’t afford to buy supplies or supplies become scarce in St Vincent then whatever we send will come in handy,” Kuruvilla said.
She said the SPCA has also started its own GoFundMe campaign to help the animals.
She said so far, the SPCA has said it needs animal feed, bowls and medication.
She said donors have been bringing items in and the TTSPCA is trying to amass enough to ship to the SVG.
“People have been bringing in dog food, we have so far accumulated a reasonable amount but we are still continuing and people are still giving us funds so we are going to purchase as well
I think at the moment we have about $5000, $6000.”
Kuruvilla said the money donated will be used to purchase more items.
She said the University of the West Indies Veterninary School and the Veterninary Association have also been doing their own relief item drive.
and cats
“I think the Veterinary Association and UWI are also trying to assist with supplies for livestock
They have already sent a shipment of feed and they informed us that a barge was on it’s way over with water, something like a huge amount of water 50,000 gallons of water,” Kuruvilla said.
If you would like to donate to the relief efforts, you can contact the TTSPCA at 622-1367 or visit their shelter in Port of Spain to drop off items.
