NEW SHELTER UPDATE

This year, we are thrilled to celebrate 50 years of rescue, animal love, and community support!  Now, as we mark this incredible milestone, we are on the verge of our biggest achievement yet: the completion of a brand-new animal shelter in Josiah's Bay, featuring not only modern facilities but also a unique Bird Watch Tower. This is more than just a building—it's the next step in our journey of 50 years of animal care and community support.

Since 1975, the BVI Humane Society has been at the heart of animal welfare in the British Virgin Islands. For five decades, we've opened our doors to thousands of abandoned, unwanted, and mistreated animals, giving them a chance at a better life.

Our journey hasn't always been easy—from devastating hurricane Irma to COVID lock-downs and always the challenge of finding permanent homes for the dogs and cats in our care—but with the community by our side, we have persisted.

A Dream Becoming Reality

The story of our new animal shelter began back in 2013, when Tessa Gunter, the founder of the BVI Humane Society, purchased a beautiful acre of land in Josiah's Bay. The land was first used as a safe place for horses in need. Tessa hoped that one day it could also serve as the future location for the Humane Society's shelter. Today, we are proud to be turning that dream into reality, creating a state-of-the-art shelter that will serve animals for generations to come.

Though Hurricane Irma in 2017 severely damaged our existing facility in Johnson’s Gut, we persevered. Two major renovations in 2018 and 2019 allowed us to continue operations, but a notice to vacate our rented space in 2019 moved us forward in making Tessa's dream for a new shelter a reality.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges, making it incredibly difficult for the current board to keep the shelter afloat and generate the funds needed for the new build. Despite the setbacks, the community rallied together, and we managed to push forward with our plans.

Construction New Shelter

In August 2023, construction officially began on our new shelter, divided into three phases:

1. Phase One: Rough Building – This phase included site clearing, excavation, foundations, concrete flooring, and exterior block work. Utilizing galvalum and beams from our steel building, the structure began to take shape. This phase was completed in January 2024.
   
2. Phase Two: Interior Finish – Interior walls, plastering, doors, windows, electrical, and plumbing installations were completed with precision, making the shelter not only strong but also comfortable and safe for our animals. This phase was completed in May 2024
   
3. Phase Three: Exterior Finish – The final stage, which includes septic systems, outdoor cages, dog pens, catio, and fencing, shaded areas, parking, and landscaping, is currently underway. We are planning to install the cages and complete the final move around August of 2025.
   

Modern Facilities for Better Care

The new shelter is a vast improvement over our previous setup. With 20 huge 5' x20' stainless-steel dog cages that are both indoor and outdoor, dogs will have more space and comfort. These cages are separated by PVC panels, reducing stress and preventing conflicts.

Cats will enjoy a much larger space to roam, with both indoor and outdoor areas. We will also have three separate quarantine areas for incoming, sick, and young animals, ensuring that all our furry residents get the specific care they need.

The stainless steel cages for the dogs, as well as the cat and puppy quarantine areas, have been ordered and are currently being manufactured in the US. We experienced some delays due to recent U.S. tariff policies on stainless steel imports, but everything is now back on track and expected to arrive mid July this year.

MORE INFO

Perhaps one of the most exciting new additions is the on-site veterinary clinic. This will not only allow us to provide immediate medical attention to the animals in our care but also serve the East End community with affordable vet services.

We are actively searching for the right veterinarian to join our team and lead the new clinic.

The Bird Watch Tower

Our new facility also includes a Bird Watch Tower, sponsored by a UK Darwin Plus grant. This is a unique addition that underscores our commitment to all local wildlife. This elevated space can host up to 10 visitors at a time, providing a perfect spot to observe the beautiful flamingos and other wild birds that call the BVI home. It also serves as an educational platform for visitors and school groups, highlighting the importance of wildlife conservation on our islands.

MORE INFO

Why Your Support Matters

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, we have secured all the necessary funds to complete this project. The total cost of the new shelter is approximately $800,000, fully funded by generous donations from our community, sponsoring companies, and other "Friends of the BVI Humane Society.".

The dream of a new shelter is now a reality, with Phase 3 just weeks away from completion. This modern facility will provide a safe and welcoming environment for hundreds of animals each year. Although the major phases are fully funded, there are still many ways you can help make our shelter even better! We are currently looking for sponsors for trees, shrubs, and dog beds. We also welcome donations of furniture to help us make the space comfortable and welcoming.

Join us on June 7th and 8th for a Paint Weekend Party! Come help paint the new shelter—inside and out—and enjoy a celebratory BBQ after a hard day's work. If you’re interested in lending a hand, let us know! Send us an email at [email protected] or WhatsApp us at 284-540-8148

SPONSOR A CAGE

You can also still sponsor a cage, an outdoor dog run, our bird cage, or shelves and climbing features for our cat areas and catio.

Each sponsorship comes with a plaque in recognition of your support, making it a lasting legacy of your contribution to animal welfare in the BVI.

Join Us in Building Their Future

We are closer than ever to providing the animals of the BVI with a true safe haven. With your continued support, we can make sure the doors open smoothly and the animals enjoy the beautiful new space they deserve.
Are you ready to be a part of this incredible journey?
If you want to get involved or learn more, send us an email at [email protected] or WhatsApp us at 284-540-8148. We’d love to hear from you!