The Kohn Foundation

Bahamian Animal Rescue Committee

Scroll down to see the shelter's critical needs and pictures of "Happy Tails"/adopted potcakes!

The Bahamian Animal Rescue Committee (B.A.R.C.) was formed in April, 2005 to assist the Humane Society of Grand Bahama in their ongoing efforts in West End concerning animal population control, spay and neuter programs, and disease mitigation. The situation with wild dogs and cats has worsened since the hurricanes devastated the village in 2004. There are many more puppies and kittens in the village, resulting in a large homeless population.

The majority of the dogs are of mixed breed, named “Potcakes” (which is a recognized BREED in the Bahamas) after the popular peas and rice dish that sticks to the bottom of the pot. The leftover peas and rice is often fed to the dogs; hence the name they have been given. These dogs are extremely intelligent and easily-trained, and they make the most grateful and loyal companions.

The facts concerning the adoption rates of dogs and cats are very discouraging. About 100-200 dogs are collected each month, with only 5-10% adopted. Sadly, the Humane Society of Grand Bahama is NOT a "no-kill" shelter, so the survival of even healthy animals is minimal.

The shelter itself is in terrible shape. It is too small for the many animals brought through its doors. They only have room for 48 dogs and 18 cats, but are currently housing 56 canines and 26 felines. The facility is rat-infested, and some animals have been euthanized due to rat bites. Other healthy animals have to be euthanized simply because there is not enough space to kennel them or because the shelter can't afford to run even basic medical tests (like fecal exams). It is truly heartbreaking when loving and perfectly adoptable dogs and puppies do not even have a chance to survive.

There has been uplifting news for these animals lately. Save-A-Pet out of Port Jefferson, N.Y. took 78 puppies since last August. The 34 that they took in August enabled the Humane Society to evacuate others prior to the first hurricane. The cats were also evacuated.

Another no-kill shelter, Animal Rescue Fund (ARF) of the Hamptons, N.Y., took 20 dogs and 5 cats before the second hurricane in September. They have since adopted almost all of them to good homes, in spite of the fact that some of the dogs had heartworm and other serious conditions.

The adoption fees for pets of the Humane Society of Grand Bahamas are only $75.00 for dogs and $50.00 for cats. These fees include one vaccination, basic deworming, and sterilization. The cost of the health certificate ($10.00 required by U.S. Customs) and rabies vaccination for animals older than 3 months ($15.00 - not required in the Bahamas) is added for U.S. adopters.

WHAT THE SHELTER NEEDS, AND HOW TO DONATE:

Money: Tax-deductible donations may be made through The Kohn Foundation, B.A.R.C. The Kohn Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to enrich the future of West End. The federal tax ID number for The Kohn Foundation is 56-2396855. A receipt will be provided upon request.

Purchase a Kuranda Dog Bed through Petfinder.com, specifically for the pets in the shelter on Grand Bahama Island by clicking here.

ADOPT A POTCAKE at http://www.hs-gb.org Be one of the first in the U.S. to have creatively adopted a street dog from another country! You will not be disappointed. You can save the life and make a difference in the future of one dog, of your own family, and of the Grand Bahamas.

POTCAKE PALS: Meet our potcake friends, who have been adopted by families across the United States.

Name: Jazzi Location: Long Island, New York Date: March 2009
Name: Che Adopted: June 2007 Location: Orlando, Florida	Name: Finn Adopted: March 2007 Location: Denver, Colorado
Name: India and Capri Adopted: 2005 and 2006 Location: Derry, New Hampshire	Name: Kiki Adopted: April 2007 Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Name: Kobi Adopted: April 2007 Location: Atlanta, Georgia	Name: Samson Adopted: 2006 Location: Canada
Name: Shelbe Adopted: June 2006 Location: Denver, Colorado	Name: Teddy Adopted: February 2007 Location: Tampa, Florida
Name: Toby Adopted: March 2007 Location: Titusville, Florida

Name: Callie Adopted: November 2002 Location: Denver, Colorado
Name: Cassie Adopted: December 2004 Location: Long Island, New York	Name: Happy Adopted: Spring 2004 Location: Denver, Colorado
Name: Ice Adopted: Spring 2004 Location: Denver, Colorado	Name: Lucaya Adopted: January 2005 Location: Northampton, Massachusetts
Name: Mohhamed Moses ("Momo") Adopted: January 2005 Location: Long Island, NY	Name: Minerva ("Minnie") Adopted: January 2005 Location: Long Island, NY
Name: Ruby Adopted: October 2005 Location: Jupiter, Florida	Name: Simon Adopted: July 2005 Location: Evergreen, Colorado
Name: Trooper Adopted: Summer 2005 Location: Denver, Colorado	Name: Scamp Adopted: July 2005 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida
Name: Silver Adopted: September 2005 Location: Melbourne Beach, Florida	Name: Marvin (previously known as George) Adopted: Location:
Name: Tippy Adopted: December 2005 Location: Stuart, Florida	Name: Kali Adopted: December 2005 Location: Connecticut
Name: Tikka Adopted: October 2006 Location: Denver, Colorado	Name: Hana Adopted: November 2006 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Name: Ruby II Adopted: October 2006 Location: Denver, Colorado	Name: Shelbe Adopted: June 2006 Location: Denver, Colorado
Name: Simba (left) & Snoopy (right) Adopted: June 2006 Location: Miami, Florida	Name: Stoly Dog Adopted: May 2006 Location: Miami, Florida