Our Shelter History
The Humane Society's first animal shelter opened in 1975 in a house on Pasea Estate, near the original TICO store. The shelter included a yard for stray dogs, boarding kennels with outdoor runs, cat cages, and a small veterinary clinic. As the number of stray and abandoned animals in the British Virgin Islands continued to grow, the facilities quickly became too small.
In December 1985, the shelter relocated to a purpose-built facility at Johnson's Ghut. The land was generously provided by Mr. A.O. Shirley under a negotiated monthly lease. The new shelter offered larger boarding kennels, multiple exercise yards, an expanded veterinary clinic, and the capacity to care for a wider variety of animals, serving the BVI community for the next 40 years.
Recognizing the need for a modern, purpose-built shelter, the Humane Society purchased one acre of land in Josiah's Bay in 2013 for $150,000. Three years later, a steel building structure was purchased and imported after planning approval had been granted. Construction was due to begin in 2017, but those plans were put on hold following the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma. For several years, fundraising and planning efforts focused on the Territory's recovery.
In 2018, volunteers replaced part of the roof after Hurricane Irma, and in October 2019, GK Construction donated a complete renovation of the Johnson's Ghut shelter, repairing and repainting the building (see below)
Construction of the new shelter finally began in 2023 and was completed in several phases over the following two years. Designed to provide a safe, modern environment for both animals and staff, the new facility includes spacious dog kennels and exercise yards, cat rooms with outdoor catios, a veterinary clinic, boarding facilities, quarantine areas, a reception and education centre, and environmentally responsible waste and drainage systems.
In October 2025, after 40 years at Johnson's Ghut, the Humane Society proudly relocated to its new permanent home in Josiah's Bay. The move marked a major milestone in the Society's history, providing a modern shelter that allows us to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome more animals than ever before while continuing to serve the people and animals of the British Virgin Islands for generations to come. See more about our new shelter
In December 1985, the shelter relocated to a purpose-built facility at Johnson's Ghut. The land was generously provided by Mr. A.O. Shirley under a negotiated monthly lease. The new shelter offered larger boarding kennels, multiple exercise yards, an expanded veterinary clinic, and the capacity to care for a wider variety of animals, serving the BVI community for the next 40 years.
Recognizing the need for a modern, purpose-built shelter, the Humane Society purchased one acre of land in Josiah's Bay in 2013 for $150,000. Three years later, a steel building structure was purchased and imported after planning approval had been granted. Construction was due to begin in 2017, but those plans were put on hold following the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma. For several years, fundraising and planning efforts focused on the Territory's recovery.
In 2018, volunteers replaced part of the roof after Hurricane Irma, and in October 2019, GK Construction donated a complete renovation of the Johnson's Ghut shelter, repairing and repainting the building (see below)
Construction of the new shelter finally began in 2023 and was completed in several phases over the following two years. Designed to provide a safe, modern environment for both animals and staff, the new facility includes spacious dog kennels and exercise yards, cat rooms with outdoor catios, a veterinary clinic, boarding facilities, quarantine areas, a reception and education centre, and environmentally responsible waste and drainage systems.
In October 2025, after 40 years at Johnson's Ghut, the Humane Society proudly relocated to its new permanent home in Josiah's Bay. The move marked a major milestone in the Society's history, providing a modern shelter that allows us to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome more animals than ever before while continuing to serve the people and animals of the British Virgin Islands for generations to come. See more about our new shelter
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Click here for a page dedicated to Tessa's life story and pictures.
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OLD SHELTER RENOVATIONS 2019
When Hurricane Irma devastated the British Virgin Islands in 2017, the Humane Society's shelter at Johnson's Ghut suffered extensive damage. Although dedicated volunteers managed to replace part of the roof in 2018, much of the building remained in need of major repairs and improvements.
In October 2019, GK Construction generously volunteered its time, expertise, and resources to carry out a complete renovation of the shelter as a donation to the Humane Society. The project included repairing and repainting the roof and walls, creating a new puppy play pen, a dedicated kitten play pen with quarantine cages, installing a new bird aviary, and adding an extra storage shed. These improvements transformed the aging shelter into a safer, more functional, and more welcoming environment for the animals and the staff who cared for them, extending the life of the facility until the new shelter could eventually become a reality.
In October 2019, GK Construction generously volunteered its time, expertise, and resources to carry out a complete renovation of the shelter as a donation to the Humane Society. The project included repairing and repainting the roof and walls, creating a new puppy play pen, a dedicated kitten play pen with quarantine cages, installing a new bird aviary, and adding an extra storage shed. These improvements transformed the aging shelter into a safer, more functional, and more welcoming environment for the animals and the staff who cared for them, extending the life of the facility until the new shelter could eventually become a reality.
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In April 2019 we started renovating the back section of the Animal shelter in the following 4 phases, which we completed in June 2019:
- PHASE 1: New guttering, install drainage and collect water in 2 water tanks
- PHASE 2: New fencing within the old fencing. Create 9 outdoor dog runs with concrete pads & roofs for shelter against sun or rain
- PHASE 3: New addition to existing building. Concrete floor and roof over 7 new large 5'x8' cages for boarding
- PHASE 4: New cages to replace existing cages. Most cages are now 2' longer. New large cages for new addition (phase 3) and 6 new double small cages
