President•s• Speech

Anguilla Animal Rescue Foundation AGM 2003

Welcome to the Anguilla Animal Rescue Foundation 2003 Annual General Meeting. This is the second AGM for AARF and one can only think back to the very first days. At that time a small group of people got together to plan what would be the foundation of our organization.

As we sit here today, we can be proud of a very positive year for the Anguilla Animal Rescue Foundation. We have accomplished a great deal more in this year than we ever thought possible through the hard work of our dedicated membership and strategic alliances with organizations outside of Anguilla.

We started out the year with a visit by Sherry and John Morrall of Puppy Angels. They brought their lively enthusiasm and willingness to help. An energy-filled Executive Committee meeting left both organizations with future goals and ideas about cooperative efforts to help the animals of Anguilla.

The membership was given the opportunity to meet and interact with Sherry and John in our January General Meeting. The meeting started with an informative speech by Mrs. Kathy Haskins about her foster puppy and her experiences with countless numbers of rescue animals in Anguilla.Sherry and John Morrall described their organization and program for taking adoptable animals from Anguilla to the United States for adoption.A highly interactive session allowed the membership to ask questions and allay any misgivings about sending animals to the US. Six dogs and puppies accompanied them on their return trip to New Hampshire.

Little did we know at that time just how significant the relationship with Puppy Angels would turn out to be. Thanks to that visit and articles in Anguilla Life magazine, since January of this year 68 dogs/puppies have journeyed to Puppy Angels to find new and loving homes.

We knew that placement of animals in the United States was not the real answer to the problems of animal overpopulation in our Island Nation, but only a short term fix to help save lives. Thus a plan was conceived to provide a free pilot spay/neuter program in Anguilla. Once again our alliance with Puppy Angels provided us further assistance. Their affiliation with the Pegasus Foundation, a private independent foundation that supports animal and environmental protection programs in the United States, gave us the opportunity to submit a grant for matching funds to assist with the program. Dr. Patrick Vanterpool provided his services and that of his technician Amy Williams at significantly reduced fees. Puppy Angels vowed their support both physically and financially.

After 2 1/2 years of fund raising our dream was finally realized. The clinic jointly funded by AARF, Puppy Angels and The Pegasus Foundation provided free surgeries to a total of 96 cats and dogs over a 5-day period. We were amazed at the outpouring of community support and participation with 159 animals registered. Upon discharge a handout was provided that contained information on health care issues and disease prevention in companion animals, the advantages of spay/neuter and licensing in Anguilla. Caretakers were asked to read the document and if they had not already had their animals vaccinated, they were encouraged to do so in the near future.

A three-month supply of Flea/Tick top spot donated by Hartz was given to each caretaker in an effort to promote further use of preventative therapy.

AARF•s• unique approach to the clinic provided one on one interaction with caretakers and their companion animals. We took every opportunity to listen and help them in any way we could. Our volunteers gained greater respect for our Veterinary team and the challenges they face on a daily basis. We gained greater insight into our community and its animal care needs. Lessons learned from this pilot program are being applied to future initiatives.

During April of this year AARF•s• Education Committee made presentations at all 6 of Anguilla•s• primary schools. The program discussed the advantages of spay/neuter, and pet health care including vaccinations, food, water, and exercise. Students were presented with a handout with information on how to avoid being bitten by a dog. Sarah Bartlett, an amazing AARF rescue dog that can count assisted the program.

Memberships form the foundation of any organization and are crucial to success. We thank all of you who have joined AARF to help improve the quality of life for Anguilla•s• Animals.

AARF membership has seen a slight increase with a total of 65 memberships. We note an increase in corporate memberships to a total of 5. AARF•s• original corporate members were Anguilla Techni-Sales and All Island Cable TV. We thank them for their ongoing support, and we welcome our newest corporate members Webster Dyrud Mitchell, Straw Hat Restaurant and Temenos. Our current membership distribution is as follows:

Corporate Memberships

5

Lifetime Memberships

9

Regular Memberships

22

Family Memberships

23

Senior Memberships

4

Student Memberships

2

Total

65

Since its inception, AARF has cared for 384 of Anguilla•s• homeless animals. From January to October of 2003, the Anguilla Animal Rescue Foundation admitted a total of 161 animals. 130 animals were adopted and 31 were humanely euthanized. This is a significant improvement over last year where at the end of 2002 AARF had cared for 111 animals, adopted 44, euthanized 66 and carried 1 over. Our adoption success must be credited to our affiliation with Puppy Angels as well as an increased number of feline adoptions locally.

Our many accomplishments for this year could not happen without the help of dedicated members, our community and friends abroad. At this time we would like to express our appreciation for their hard work.

In November of 2002 Kathy Haskins took up a collection to purchase a computer and printer to support the work of AARF. We extend our sincere thanks to Kathy Haskins for spearheading this project and raising the funds. Our heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who contributed to this effort including: Paula Sherman, Kathy Haskins, Kelly Bryan, Jacquie Ruan, Fiona Curtis, Alison Carty, Joan Belin, Jackie and Ralph Cestero, Barbara Owen, Michelle Owen, Jacquie Pascher, Catherine Orchard, Chantal Piazzi, Caroline Permuy, Michelle Fry, Helen Peabody, Reg and Alice Lake, Steve Donahue, Jorge Garcia, All Island Cable TV, Viviane Masshardt, Gabi Gumbs, Josephine Gumbs, Alex Ballin, Marianne Egel, Diane Carney, Janice Boston, Jacquie Connor, Jeanne Marie Derrick & Alex Bozoghlian, Chris Carty, Cheryl Tiffany & Bob Ball, and Theresa Wendel.

Over the last year AARF maintained booths at a number of events in the community. We would like to thank the following individuals for manning the booths: Chris Carty, Barbara Owen, Suzan Donahue, Ann Brown, Lisa Thompson, Amy Williams, Jackson Arnold, Jacquie Connor, Wini Scarbrough, Jackie and Ralph Cestero and Donald Curtis for helping put up the tent.

Many thanks to Ashley•s• Pet Store for their donation of food and treats to make up our raffle baskets facilitated by Jacquie Connor and Disa Billington. Who could forget Jacquie Connor•s• wonderful homemade dog biscuits?

We would like to thank Caribbean Silk Screen for the production of our high quality merchandise. Thanks also to Lynn Bartlett of Bartlett•s• Collection for selling our t-shirts and promoting our programs.

AARF would also like to thank Ralph Cestero for his construction of collection boxes and making sure they are emptied on a regular basis. Supplies for the boxes were donated by Anguilla Techni-Sales and Ron•s• Sign Shop. As Chairman of the Policies and Procedures Committee Dr. Cestero keeps our organization on track procedurally.

The transport of puppies to the United States for adoption is no small task and involves the time, and energy of individuals both here and abroad. Our many thanks to Amy Williams for getting our animals in shape for adoption and travel.

For providing transportation to the airport here in Anguilla we thank Amy Williams, Sherry & John Morrell, Chris Carty, The Edwards Family, John Ashton, and Jackie Cestero.

We would like to recognize and thank all the members of Puppy Angels who arrange to pick up animals at all times of day and night and in different states. They are Sherry and John Morrall, Kim Lynch, Lisa Girard, Patrick Lyon, Anne Dennis and Denise Labrie.

In Puerto Rico we recognize and thank our friends from Second Chance Rescue, Save A Sato and the cargo company. Maryellen Nicoletti, Karen Valentin, Juan Rosario, Ronda Cates Moren and Chantal Robles. Also thanks to Juan for adopting one of our pups and giving it a great new home with lots of love.

AARF cannot thank Roy Bossons of Roy•s• Place enough for his extreme generosity in the transport of puppies to Puerto Rico. When there were too many puppies to go and time was running out for air travel on American Airlines, Roy stepped in and offered his plane for the price of gas and landing fees. After running two missions, Roy has saved the lives of 30 wonderful puppies.

Many thanks to our co-pilots Amy Williams and Steve Donahue.

AARF would also like to thank Maria and Jim Mulligan Life Time Members from Florida who paid for our last transport of 5 puppies in September. They have offered their support for further missions.

We would like to recognize and thank our foster parents who provide a place to stay, love, health care and socialization for our animals waiting to be adopted or to travel to the states. Their role is critical to providing a second chance for Anguilla•s• homeless animals. Our foster families include Jacquie Connor, Chris and Lennie Carty, Kathy, Raymon, Becky and Rachel Haskins, The Edwards Family, Frank Costin and David Johnson, Suzan and Steve Donahue, Kim Straubing and Jeff David, John Ashton, and Jackie and Ralph Cestero.

AARF would also like to send a special thank you to the people who volunteered to fly to Boston and New Hampshire with our adoptable pups:

Many thanks for making “The Midnight Express to the US” a great success!

Our Education Committee has done a great job this year. Many thanks to Michele Owen-Vasillis and her able assistants: Lynn Bartlett, Suzan Donahue and Kim Straubing. Special thanks to Sarah Bartlett, the wonder dog.

Anguilla Life Magazine has been very supportive of AARF•s• programs over the past two years. Articles in the last 8 editions have provided a greater awareness of our programs for Anguilla•s• visitors and facilitated transport of dogs to the US. Thank you to Claire Devener for giving us the opportunity to tell our story.

We would also like to thank local media including The Anguillian, The Herald, All Island Cable TV, Radio Anguilla, Heartbeat Radio, News.ai and Iloveanguilla.com for announcing our programs over the year.

Thank you to The Post Mistress Lelia Richardson for allowing us to set up on the porch both for the sale of merchandise and to spread the word of our programs.

The Teachers Resource Center and the Soroptimists have been kind enough to provide facilities for our Executive and General Meetings.

AARF•s• spay/neuter program in July was a great success because of the donation of time and energy by a number of individuals. First we would like to thank Puppy Angels and The Pegasus Foundation for their financial support of the program.

Mrs. Suzan Donahue Spay/Neuter Project Coordinator took on a monstrous challenge and led us to success. We extend our thanks for her sincere dedication to the cause.

Many thanks to our veterinary team Dr. Patrick Vanterpool, Ms. Amy Williams and Ms. Mary Allen Bradley our 4th year veterinary student for without your efforts the clinic would not have been possible.

Thank you to Carrolle Devonish and The Anguilla Community Foundation for providing the conduit for The Pegasus Foundation Funding as a 501(c) 3 organization.

There are a number of businesses island wide that allowed us to place applications on their premises and encouraged people to participate including:

We would like to thank Shoal Bay Villas and Serenity Cottage for providing free accommodations to our visiting guests.

Hamlet Harrigan and Island Car Rental for the use of a rental car at no cost.

Thank you to Vinissimo for the wine, Ripples Restaurant for providing the hors d’ouevres for the kick off celebration and Gwen•s• Reggae Grill for our BBQ on Sunday all at discounted prices.

Thanks to Tropical Flower and Blues and Blues for their donations of soft drinks and water for the events of the weekend.

Malliouhana Hotel and Christine Cutler were most generous in supplying a large number of towels for the clinic.

We would like to thank Griffin Webster and Weblinks for providing our technical equipment for our kick off celebration.

Our sincere thanks to all those who have given financial donations specifically earmarked for spay and neuter activities.

Thank you to Reverend Cecil Weekes for providing the invocation, and Ms. Lanna Hoyoung for representing the Government of Anguilla at our Kick Off Celebration.

Special thanks to the following individuals who worked at the clinic providing surgical support, animal clean up as well as pre and post op care: Susan Donahue, Sherry and John Morrall, Jacquie Connor, Chris Carty, Jaxson Arnold, Barbara Owen, Kim Straubing, Sylvia McMean, Jackie Pascher, Rafael Cestero, and Jackie Cestero. Thanks also to Steve Donahue for help with the tent.

Thank you to all the residents of Anguilla who participated in the program and the special individuals who helped transport animals for their neighbors and friends: Althea and Bob Turner, Susan Croft, Maria Hawkins, Whittington Hodge, Leroy Martinez, and Suzan Donahue.

AARF would like to thank students in Mr. Gordon Cillis' Design and Technology class for donating a doghouse to AARF.

Finally we would like to thank this year•s• Executive Committee for all their efforts. Thank you also to the members of the committee who are standing down this year for their dedicated service. Mrs. Barbara Owen has served as our treasurer since the organization was formed. Mrs. Jacquie Connor served one year on the committee as an elected ordinary member and head of the Fund Raising Committee. Ms. Disa Billington served one year as vice president. We wish you all the best and hope that we can count on your support in the future.

Although AARF has accomplished much this year, we know that we face many more challenges in the year ahead. When we formed the organization, we knew that change would not come overnight but with small steps of progress. We look forward to your support through the next year as we take more baby steps toward the improved quality of life for all animals in Anguilla.