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Generous campaign by ladies fashion boutique Novedades

For the fourth consecutive year the management of Novedades have organized a campaign to raise funds to support the Curaçao Society for the Protection of Animals. In a much appreciated attempt to achieve a better life for the needy animals on our island, Novedades designated a percentage of their profits to benefit the Society. This resulted in a donation of Nafl. 1,300 which was presented to the Society by Mrs. Freny Bekerman, Managing Director.  

 March 2010 Mrs. Freny Bekerman presents the cheque to Marja Berk (secretariat CSPA)

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
Andrew Berry - vice president
Karoline Versteeg - secretary
Hugo Meijer - treasurer
Evie Capella - director
Annette Oosters - director Animal Shelter 
Patrick Bartels - director fundraising

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'