Latest news

A new Board for Stichting Dierenbescherming Curaçao

As of March 3rd 2010 the Board of the CSPA (Curacao Society for the Protection of Animals) consists of the following officers:
Erik Bokkes - president
Karoline Versteeg - secretary
Hugo Meijer - treasurer
Evie Capella - director personnel matters
Annette Oosters - director Animal Shelter 
Patrick Bartels - director fundraising
Andrew Berry - director PR

The Board will be assisted by Marja Berk (secretariat), Agnes Pinto (financial administration), and Marly Ruysenaars (donor administration) 

The outgoing officers have served the organization with devotion and unflagging diligence for many years: Saskia Smit (21 years), Olav de Haseth (28 years) and Ineke Cijntje (23 years). These past Boardmembers have helped to build up and expand the small animal shelter which existed in the Eighties to the dynamic umbrella organization of today, which manages various core pillars: the shelter, which accommodates 60 dogs and twenty cats; a boarding pension for dogs and cats; an animal ambulance and service to investigate reports of cruelty and neglect; outside services such as the catching of stray dogs, and sterilization campaigns in the neighborhoods and last but not least, extensive programs in the educational field.

Saskia, Ineke and Olav now confidently pass on their tasks to a new team and wish them lots of success!

A private vet for the Animal Shelter

As of February 1st 2010 veterinarian Cheryl van Ommen has been contracted by the Curaçao Society for the Protection of Animals to provide full medical care to all the shelter animals. Cheryl and her partner Sjoerd de Groot are in charge of medical examination, treatment, innoculation etc of new arrivals and euthanization of sick and old animals. The building behind the shelter will be renovated and equipped as a surgery. The shelter vet will only treat shelter animals and after rehoming, new owners must register with a veterinarian with an established practice to continue medical care of their animals.
Although Cheryl van Ommen will be able to sterilize some animals as part of ongoing  sterilization projects in the neighborhoods, the CSPA continues to seek the cooperation of other island veterinarians who have participated so helpfully in these projects.

Veterinarian Cheryl van Ommen examines a puppy

The 2009 figures

Sterilization campaigns organized by the several animal animal welfare groups on the island and intensified policies on admission of rejected animals to the shelter proved rewarding in 2009. Sterilization figures increased drastically and euthanasia figures show a remarkable decrease.

Read more on the 'About us' page!

Second edition of the book ‘Our Coral Reef’

The first edition of ‘Nos Ref di Koral/ Ons Koraalrif /Our Coral Reef’ which appeared in January 2008 is almost sold out. 1,500 books were sponsored by Prins Bernhard Natuurfonds Nederland and another 4,000 by USONA, and distributed among the schools By FMS (Fundashon material pa Skol)
The second edition of the book will be expanded with the description of four further species and eleven magnificent new photos by Barry Brown, a colleague of Gordy Cox who was the photographer for the first edition of the book. The book will be published in March and will be available to the public at the Animal shelter, in bookstores and souvenir shops in April.

Damselfis. Photo: Barry Brown

Plaque at wash station to commemorate three Curaçao dogs

The wash station, located on the field where the dogs are exercised, was made possible by a donation from Nicky and Mike Chalmers, sponsoring of the material costs by CURCON and the co-operation of volunteer Jan Mooldijk. Nicky was a volunteer at the shelter for many years and went back to England with her husband Mike and their three Curaçao dogs, Chollie, Toby and Silke in 2005. Before they left they lost Anya who died of bone cancer. In England they lost Chollie, so called because she was found in the streets. To commemorate their beloved Curaçao dogs Nicky and Mike decided to make a donation towards a wash station, where a commemorative plaque was recently put on the door of the washtub cabinet. After Nicky left she continued helping the CSPA by correcting the text on the website and the English version of the text of the Reef Book.

Thank you so much Nicky and Mike!

Jan Mooldijk with Grommit. It is a pleasure to see how the dogs enjoy their bath!

The commemorative plaque

1.748 animals sterilized in 2009

1.748 is the grand total of animals sterilized in 2009, a tremendous result compared to the 2008 total of 885!
953 animals were sterilized via the shelter and 795 animals via the 'Free sterilization Project' financed by Oranje Casino. Thanks to the endeavours of coordinator Ivette Knol this total of 795 could be reached within a six month timescale. During this period many animals were cured from mange and problems such as the appalling condition whereby collars have grown into the flesh were solved.

Dogs recovering from sterilization

WSPA's 'Doggie Speak' to local schools!

The translation of ‘Doggie speak’ into the local language Papiamentu was another achievement in 2009. This interactive booklet, published by WSPA, teaches children the body language of the dog, and attempts to increase understanding of those animals so much a part of our life. The layout was made by WSPA Costa Rica, the books were printed in Curaçao. The printing of 9.000 books was sponsored by ‘Active Chance Foundation Curaçao’, an organization that supports educational projects. These books and a PowerPoint presentation on DVD for the teachers to guide the children will be distributed among primary schools in January 2010.

Graceny Webster- secretarial assistant, Olav de Haseth- president, Claudia Prodan of Active Chance Foundation Curaçao and Ineke Cijntje- coordinator.

 WSPA's 'Doggy Speak', in Papiamento: 'Lenguahe di Kachó'

1,628 animals sterilized as at November 30th!

                        Free Sterilization Project very successful!


A total of 1,628 animals have been spayed or neutered this year up to November 30th. From January to November 948 animals were sterilized via the shelter and 680 animals were sterilized in a period of five months in connection with the ‘Free Sterilization Project’, financed by Oranje Casino. Local vets co-operated by operating for a reduced fee.

Coordinator Ivette Knol is delighted with the result. Ivette and her team visit neighborhoods where people obviously need help for and with their pets. They provide information about pet care, distribute food and medicine, make appointments for free spaying and neutering and explain how to treat mange. Photos of animals before and after the treatment show amazing results. Dogs that had almost completely lost their coats and had a skin full of wounds caused by continuous scratching, recovered during the treatment and regained a beautiful healthy coat.


Ivette: “The reactions of the residents of the neighborhoods that we visit are very positive. They are generally hugely grateful for the help that we offer and only approximately 1 out of 50 people reacts negatively and shuts the door in our face.


                                         Coordinator Ivette Knol invited by WSPA

WSPA (World Society for the Protection of Animals) invited Ivette to participate in training in Costa Rica. From November 29 – December 5. Ivette attended several workshops e.g. volunteers drive, project planning, sterilization techniques and the effective organization of sterilization campaigns in the local neighborhoods.

Ivette: “I learned a lot and will certainly use the experience I gained in Costa Rica in my project. It is of the utmost importance that people become aware that only they foremost have daily  responsibility for their pets. We can help them as much as possible but they also have to become involved and participate. For instance when we offer free sterilizations they can help by bringing their pets to the vet and pick them up after the operation. “Be involved! Help us to help you” says Ivette.

                       Free sterilization of dogs and cats please call 525-9544

The Board of CSPA convey their sincere gratitude to WSPA for their support and congratulates Ivette on the outstanding result of her effort


Ivette and her team deliver registration forms for free sterilization in the neighborhoods.

Students visit ‘Animals in Focus’

Children from different schools are invited to visit the exhibition ‘Animals in Focus’. In the next two weeks they are transported from school to the library by bus, sponsored by Banco di Caribe. In the library they visit the exposition where they get different questions about the photos. Also they get to see the film 'Bestia ta Nos Amigu, Trata nan Bon'.

Finally they are encouraged to sign the petition at the United Nations for the establishment of a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare.

After the exhibition they visit the Animal Shelter and the Veterinarian Klinika at Parera.

Exhibition 'Animals in Focus' in Curaçao, a combined effort of WSPA (World Society for the Protection of Animals) and CSPA (Curaçao Society for the Protection of Animals). From left to right: Coördinator Ineke Cijntje, Maximiliano Brandt (WSPA) with students of de Pedro Louis Brion School.

Students of Kolegio San Hosé answering questions in connection with the photos of the exhibition.  

Trainee Vera Kapell motivating the students to sign the petition for the 'Animals Matter to Me' campaign.

Students studying the boards of the Stichting Dierenbescherming Curaçao.
This board gives information about the adoption program of the Animal Shelter.

Exhibition ‘Animals in Focus’ officially open

On Tuesday October 13^th the exhibition ‘Animals in Focus’, which took place in the auditorium of the Public Library at Scharloo, was officially opened by Acting Governor of the Netherlands Antilles, Mrs. Adele van der Pluijm –Vrede.
Mr. Maximiliano Brandt, Member Society Development manager of the World Society for the Protection of Animals for Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean attended this event.

The children’s choir ‘Kor kanta ku nos’, conducted by Emma Eman performed two songs about animals and added a special lustre to this event by introducing the short film ‘Bestia ta Nos Amigu, Trata nan bon’. This film was made to educate the youth on responsible pet ownership and was presented to all schools for elementary education.   

The exhibition, which is open for the public from October 14^th – 31st, features initially the work of the WSPA and its member organizations, by means of a compelling selection of stunning photography, highlighting some of the best and worst of man’s treatment of animals around the world.
Secondly there is a selection of photos illustrating local situations concerning animals on this island.
Further attention has been given to demonstrate the educational projects which the Dierenbescherming has undertaken throughout the years.