Technically, the animal is surrendered to Morlens Veterinary Clinic. Surrendered animals require the person giving up the animal to fill out a surrender form, and we inform people that we'll try and find a home, but that it's not guaranteed. That said, surrendering is always a better option than abandoning an animal or “setting them free”.

The surrendered animal will be observed for a minimum of three days by the veterinarian on duty. Having been deemed socially adjusted and healthy for adoption, the animal is then bathed, dewormed and vaccinated and moved to the shelter.

For a minimum of 14 business days, AARF will do its utmost to find a forever home for the animal.

We depend entirely on generous donations from our supporters for our funding. We are not affiliated with the Government of Anguilla, nor do we receive any government agency funding.

Our work is made possible by the continuous private donations. We also raise money through our thrift store, Second Chances; fundraising events; and our locally sold merchandise.

Donors are allowed to earmark funds for specific campaigns or purposes, a practice that we welcome. Donated money is always spent for the donor–specified purpose, even our main fund (which we use mostly to operate our day-to-day shelter and adoptions programs).

No. As much as we would like to be a “no–kill” shelter, we are not. As the only animal shelter in Anguilla, it would not be responsible to have a no–euthanasia policy. This is a very complex and emotionally charged question, but let us explain:

As the only animal shelter in Anguilla, we do not charge for surrendered cats and dogs and we do not want to turn away animals under any circumstances. To be able to offer refuge to every animal in need at all times, we have to euthanize animals that are deemed unadoptable or remain unadopted for a certain time. Why? Because there continues to be more animals surrendered than there are available homes. This means that no matter how many kennels we could build, the shelter would eventually still become full, by which time we would have no choice but to turn away surrenders. It is a brutal reality to which responsible pet ownership and spay & neuter is the long–term solution.

Would it help if AARF had more money? Yes, but also no. Like in so many other parts of the world, there are still always more cats and dogs being surrendered than being adopted. With more money we could have more kennels and ability to treat more severe health issues and unsociable behavior, but it would not increase our adoptions. Furthermore, the shelter is a temporary home for abandoned and stray–born animals, where we provide the care that they need while we search for forever homes. It is not set up for long–term living and can therefore not be a forever home by itself.

When is an animal euthanized? All animals that enter the veterinary clinic and shelter are treated with dignity and respect. The decision to euthanize an animal is made by the on–duty veterinarian with regard to all prevailing circumstances. Some surrendered animals have such serious health issues or aggressive behavior that they will be euthanized upon arrival to the clinic. If we stand helpless and cannot provide anything else for the animal, we will at least be there by their side for a painless release.

People surrendering pets will also be told that euthanasia is the last resort when a home cannot be found for a cat or dog and all available options have been exhausted. However, there are programs that have helped greatly when local forever homes have been hard to find.

Are you striving to become a “no–kill” shelter? Yes, of course. Our dream is that one day unwanted puppies and kittens would no longer be born and that we could invest in every animal surrendered to the clinic without any restrictions and find them all a forever home.

By law, AARF is not and cannot be an animal control organization nor a dog catcher on Anguilla. We cannot offer any services for pickup of animals. Any reports of animals in need of assistance or posing a threat to themselves or others need to be directed to the Department of Natural Resources with whom we work closely. They are at (264) 497—2615.

When a stray animal is brought into the AARF shelter it will be cared for medically by Morlens Veterinary Clinic and AARF will undertake to try to find it a good home.

Any reports of aggressive dogs or excessive barking, as well as concerns relating to a starving, inhumanely chained or mistreated animal need also be directed to the Royal Anguilla Police Force at (264) 497—2333.

We do not recommend that you try to catch a dog or cat on your own as its behaviour when it feels trapped is unpredictable. In case of a medical emergency relating to an animal, always contact Morlens Veterinary Clinic  (264) 497—4600 and after hours emergencies (264) 581–4600.

Please remember that not all dogs in Anguilla without a collar are strays; in fact, commonly, they are not. Many dogs in Anguilla have owners and caregivers even though they are roaming free.

We do not recommend that you try to catch a roaming dog on your own as this animal may belong to someone. Additionally, its behaviour when it feels trapped is unpredictable. 

In case of a medical emergency relating to an animal, always contact Morlens Veterinary Clinic at  +1 (264) 497—4600 and, for after hours emergencies, call Morlens at  +1 (264) 581—4600.

Cats can, to a certain extent, live lives as feral animals (i.e. with no social relationship to people) and can survive in their environment. However, there is a risk of Feline Leukemia or FIV. Additionally, overpopulation because of limited trap-neuter-release is always a threat on an island. One unspayed female cat and her offspring can lead to 370,000 kittens in 7 years.

Trapping and immunizing cats is hard to do if they live in the bush and are wild and unsocial. Cats which are not fed consistently, even when feral, can also have adverse affects on the environment as they hunt local wildlife. 

Unlike cats, dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years and are poorly equipped to live without humans. Local experience shows that dogs whose basic needs are not met by an owner may become a threat to themselves and their environment.
Lack of immunization against the widespread and often fatal sicknesses, as well as not recieving preventative care for heartworm and tick fever, leads to islandwide epidemics. 

Other consquences include territorial aggression; traffic hazards; attacks on domestic pets, livestock and people; and overpopulation. Sadly, for these reasons, poisoning is quite common on island and besides resulting in a cruel and painful death, laid out poison traps affect innocent pets as well.