Dear Editor,
A country is frequently judged by the way in which it cares for its animals. Thanks to the 112-year-old Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA) Jamaica has, until now, been looked on favourably by the rest of the world.
Many Jamaicans owe a debt of gratitude to the JSPCA and cannot think of a Jamaica without such an organisation, but do not have the wherewithal to assist the organisation.
The little boy with his first puppy and the low-income elderly lady or gentleman with a dog as their first warning/defence against criminals are only some of the many people who rely on the JSPCA for high-quality, low-cost veterinary care.
The public relies on the JSPCA to keep our street animal population down. Collection of strays and a humane ongoing neutering programme have prevented excessive numbers of animals on our roads and thus prevented many traffic accidents. An adoption service helps these animals find suitable homes. Diseases, such as leptospirosis, are better controlled because of the immunisation of animals. "Retired" race horses, often ill-treated and allowed to stray on some of our urban roads, are frequently rescued by the JSPCA.
Now the JSPCA has to urgently find a new location to continue its essential work. Its long association with and assistance to the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation should have made this an automatic procedure. However, the government agencies appear to have little appreciation of its work. It is, therefore, up to all well-thinking Jamaicans to support the JSPCA to help it find a suitable central location to continue to serve the people and animals of Jamaica.
Dr Marilyn Duff
Kingston 8
duff@flowja.com
Help JSPCA find a home
-->
A country is frequently judged by the way in which it cares for its animals. Thanks to the 112-year-old Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA) Jamaica has, until now, been looked on favourably by the rest of the world.
Many Jamaicans owe a debt of gratitude to the JSPCA and cannot think of a Jamaica without such an organisation, but do not have the wherewithal to assist the organisation.
The little boy with his first puppy and the low-income elderly lady or gentleman with a dog as their first warning/defence against criminals are only some of the many people who rely on the JSPCA for high-quality, low-cost veterinary care.
The public relies on the JSPCA to keep our street animal population down. Collection of strays and a humane ongoing neutering programme have prevented excessive numbers of animals on our roads and thus prevented many traffic accidents. An adoption service helps these animals find suitable homes. Diseases, such as leptospirosis, are better controlled because of the immunisation of animals. "Retired" race horses, often ill-treated and allowed to stray on some of our urban roads, are frequently rescued by the JSPCA.
Now the JSPCA has to urgently find a new location to continue its essential work. Its long association with and assistance to the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation should have made this an automatic procedure. However, the government agencies appear to have little appreciation of its work. It is, therefore, up to all well-thinking Jamaicans to support the JSPCA to help it find a suitable central location to continue to serve the people and animals of Jamaica.
Dr Marilyn Duff
Kingston 8
duff@flowja.com
Help JSPCA find a home
-->