ABOUT US...
Meet Our Team
Vijay and Kemo
Vijay Bissoondutt is our Shelter Manager and has worked at the Humane Society for over 20 years. He tirelessly dedicates his time with helping the animals and the general running of the shelter.
Vijay knows all the dogs and cats by name and can help you find the perfect pet if you are interested in adoption. He also enjoys educating our local children how to take care of animals.
Vijay Bissoondutt is our Shelter Manager and has worked at the Humane Society for over 20 years. He tirelessly dedicates his time with helping the animals and the general running of the shelter.
Vijay knows all the dogs and cats by name and can help you find the perfect pet if you are interested in adoption. He also enjoys educating our local children how to take care of animals.
Kemo Persaud joined the Humane Society in 2018 and is a fantastic asset to our shelter. You can find him cleaning cages, walking dogs or just cuddling the cats and the dogs in our shelter.
Tessa Gunter, the founder of the Humane Society, passed away a few years ago after almost 40 years dedicated to the Humane Society in the BVI. Please click here for a page dedicated to her life story and pictures. Vijay continues her legacy with the same passion, love and understanding of animals.
Tessa Gunter, the founder of the Humane Society, passed away a few years ago after almost 40 years dedicated to the Humane Society in the BVI. Please click here for a page dedicated to her life story and pictures. Vijay continues her legacy with the same passion, love and understanding of animals.
Board of Directors
Vijay and Kemo are supported by a Board of Directors, which is comprised of six volunteers, who help with fundraising, marketing, finances, health plan, maintenance of the shelter, volunteers and much more.
Vijay and Kemo are supported by a Board of Directors, which is comprised of six volunteers, who help with fundraising, marketing, finances, health plan, maintenance of the shelter, volunteers and much more.
Colin Riegels
Colin has lived in the BVI since 1973, and has been a director of the Humane Society since 2009.
For his day job he works as a lawyer at Harneys. He is owned by three dogs. |
Nancy Pascoe
Nancy was born in the BVI and is the Deputy Director for Science, Research and Environmental Policy at the National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands and has been involved in the BVI Humane Society since volunteering as a child at the original location at Pasea. Nancy has been on the Board since the BVI HS was registered as a company in 2009
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Nigel MacPhail
Training with KPMG London, Nigel qualified as a chartered accountant in 1996 and subsequently joined KPMG British Virgin Islands. When the firm rebranded to Baker Tilly in 2004, he was promoted to Senior Manager. In 2006, he was appointed Director of the Audit and Accounting Department.
Nigel owns 4 island rescued dogs – one from Shelter, two from Loose Mongoose, one from Nanny Cay. |
Els Kraakman
Els calls the BVI already her home for 19 years. She lives and works from her self-built house in Brewers Bay. Together with her husband Gerard, she owns and works at GK Construction, but she is also a Crewed Charter Broker, Marketing Manager and Accounts Advisor for BVI Yacht Charters.
Els owns 2 dogs and takes care of a third dog during the day and has fostered over 60 puppies. She recently joined the HS and the board in 2018. |
Kirstie Palmer
Kirstie has worked and lived in the BVI for 14 years within the charter/sailing industry. Her full time job is Operations Manager with BVI Yacht Charters. Kirstie’s love for animals has always been a big part of her, but recently she also has become very involved in the Animal Shelter with organizing volunteers, vets and fundraisers. Kirstie is more than excited about the future of the Animal Shelter. With all the new plans it is only fueling her passion to make this shelter a safe and friendly environment for the whole community to share love with these animals.
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Amanda McKenna
Amanda moved to the BVI in 2005 with her husband Jon and works as the Marketing and Reservations Manager for Virgin Charter Yachts in Nanny Cay Marina. Amanda is a huge animal lover, and is a volunteer for Paw BVI with their catch and release scheme for stray cats. Amanda became involved with the Humane Society in 2018 as a volunteer and then more recently as a new board member. Her main focus is raising awareness of the shelter, fund raising and fostering of kittens and cats to give them respite from the shelter or whilst they await adoption.
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Mission Statement
The Humane Society of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) was established in 1975 with the following aims and objectives, as per the original constitution:
• To promote the welfare of all animals in the Territory of the British Virgin Islands;
• To ensure kindness and consideration in the handling of all livestock and domestic pets;
• The preservation of wildlife in the Territory;
• To prevent or suppress cruelty in any form.
• To promote the welfare of all animals in the Territory of the British Virgin Islands;
• To ensure kindness and consideration in the handling of all livestock and domestic pets;
• The preservation of wildlife in the Territory;
• To prevent or suppress cruelty in any form.
Background
This non-governmental organization was created by members of the BVI community and was officially opened in December 1975 to provide for the welfare of animals of all kinds and to serve the public of the BVI by providing care of strays and unwanted animals while trying to find good homes for them.
The Humane Society is supported in its work by a membership of individuals and corporate members, whose annual membership fees provided financial assistance to daily operations.
The Society receives no Government assistance and is supported by the hard work of Vijay Bissoondutt. The shelter also runs a boarding and grooming facility as a sideline to cover the cost of overhead. Income is always needed and the Shelter relies heavily upon the donations of the public and the fundraising events like the monthly Yard Sale, Gaming Night Extravaganza, Governor's Auction, and the Dog Show.
The Humane Society is supported in its work by a membership of individuals and corporate members, whose annual membership fees provided financial assistance to daily operations.
The Society receives no Government assistance and is supported by the hard work of Vijay Bissoondutt. The shelter also runs a boarding and grooming facility as a sideline to cover the cost of overhead. Income is always needed and the Shelter relies heavily upon the donations of the public and the fundraising events like the monthly Yard Sale, Gaming Night Extravaganza, Governor's Auction, and the Dog Show.
Facilities and Location
The first animal shelter was located in a house on Pasea Estate, near the original TICO store. There was a yard for stray dogs, a number of kennels with runs for boarding dogs, cat cages and a small clinic for veterinary care. The animal shelter relocated 10 years later, in December 1985, as larger facilities were urgently required in order to continue caring for the increasing stray dog and cat population of the BVI.
A piece of land at Johnson’s Ghut was generously provided by Mr. A.O. Shirley, with a monthly rental fee negotiated. At this location the animal shelter was able to construct a purpose built facility with larger boarding kennels, veterinary clinic, multiple yards for dogs and the ability to care for animals other than cats and dogs.
In 2013, the Humane Society purchased one acre of land in Josiah's Bay for $150,000 for relocating the shelter. In 2016 a steel structure was purchased for $100,000 and imported after Town and Country Planning approved the plans. Ground breaking was intended for the autumn of 2017. Following Hurricane Irma and the recovery, planning & fund-raising efforts were halted, but the land and structure are still available to be used in the future.
A piece of land at Johnson’s Ghut was generously provided by Mr. A.O. Shirley, with a monthly rental fee negotiated. At this location the animal shelter was able to construct a purpose built facility with larger boarding kennels, veterinary clinic, multiple yards for dogs and the ability to care for animals other than cats and dogs.
In 2013, the Humane Society purchased one acre of land in Josiah's Bay for $150,000 for relocating the shelter. In 2016 a steel structure was purchased for $100,000 and imported after Town and Country Planning approved the plans. Ground breaking was intended for the autumn of 2017. Following Hurricane Irma and the recovery, planning & fund-raising efforts were halted, but the land and structure are still available to be used in the future.
