October 31st, 2018
What better way to end your BVI visit than to escort an island pup or kitty to their new home in the States? Or, better yet, consider adopting an island pup or kitty!
Since last year’s hurricanes, the BVI has seen a significant increase in the number of stray, abandoned and unwanted dogs and cats, and the problem is even more acute since the BVI Humane Society (the only shelter in the BVI) sustained major damage from the storms.
Fortunately, PAW (Promoting Animal Welfare), a local non-profit organization, and its volunteers have been working tirelessly to find homes – both on- and off-island – for the BVI’s homeless animals. After the hurricanes, PAW partnered with major charitable organizations such as Kenny Chesney’s Love for Love City Foundation and Humane Society International, as well as animal-loving individuals, to help over 400 pups and kitties get to the U.S. – either directly to a new home or to a mainland shelter or rescue, where they’ll have a much better chance of finding their “furever” home.
But as post-hurricane evacuation efforts have ramped down, individual escorts for the animals are desperately needed. PAW covers the additional charges and handles all of the medical and travel paperwork. All you have to do is add a cabin pet to your booking by calling airline reservations. You will be met at the BVI airport or ferry terminal on your day of departure, with your travel companion. When you get to your destination, you will be met at the airport by their new owners or sponsors. (Or better yet, load them in the car and take them home with you!)
Although they’ve branched out to fostering and sending pups and kitties overseas, the primary mission of PAW is to reduce the number of unwanted animals in the BVI through a free spay and neuter program. Since their beginning in 2014, PAW has worked with local veterinary clinic, Canines, Cats, and Critters, and has sponsored the spay/neuter of over 1300 cats and dogs! 100 percent of the donations to PAW BVI benefit the animals as the organization has zero overheads.
PAW BVI: [email protected]
BVI Traveller was created in September of 2017 to help tourism in the British Virgin Islands recover from the devastation wrought by Hurricane Irma.
To that end, we met our goals. In the past 7 years there have been over 1.2 million visits to the website and over 3 million pages have been viewed. There are over 1,000 pages on the site featuring news posts and detailed listings on all hotels, villas, restaurants and sailing charters located in the BVI. The BVI Government and many business, hotels, villas and sailing charters have all agreed that the site “moved the needle on tourism” after Irma.
The site, however, has run its course. It has served its purpose by bringing visitors and local businesses together to rebuild the tourist industry and it is now time to shut down operations for good.
I want to thank everyone for your help and support.
Chuck Metter