Wetnoses for Charity!

Every fall on the “spice island” of Grenada, the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) holds a dog show with the help of the St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine. This function serves as a way for local pet owners to have fun while showing off their pets in a relaxed environment. The dog show also serves as one of the many places where pet owners are educated in the importance of both vaccination and spaying/neutering their pets. Lastly, this function serves as a fund-raising event to help defer the costs of the GSPCA’s services. We at Wetnoses.net decided to help out in 2002 by making a donation to the GSPCA.

The guests of honor at this event were five mixed-breed (pothound) puppies that were up for adoption. Students from the School of Veterinary Medicine lent their expertise by vaccinating the puppies for the prospective new parents. The cost of vaccinations and deworming was covered by the adoption fee, and by the end of the day; all 5 of the puppies were welcomed into loving homes.

Throughout the year, the students of the School of Veterinary Medicine contribute their time to the GSPCA by helping staff vaccine clinics at various locations around the island. Despite the hard work the students put forth both in the classroom and in the community, they still manage to keep a sense of humor and even play the occasional practical joke, like trying to enter a pig in the show. Of course, without the assistance of the student volunteers, this and many other events would not be the success they are.

Despite the threat of rain, due to a tropical depression, the show completed all nine of the show groups and stayed dry in the process. The groups included: Sporting, Working, Toy breeds and Pompeks, Large mixed breed, Pothounds/mongrels, Children (under 12), Obstacle course, Best trick, and lastly, Obedience. Despite the relaxed nature of the show, the judge was Senator Keith Laurie from Barbados. Senator Laurie was instrumental in establishing the kennel club on the island of Barbados and is knowledgeable of breed standards. His presence provided a touch of professionalism to this, otherwise, informal event.

For more information on the GSPCA, go to: www.spiceisle.com/gspc

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