VI residents with dogs

West Indians, who constitute ninety percent of the local population, are unlikely to participate in a kissing booth. The culture here is different from what you're accustomed to in the states, and West Indians are generally reserved with strangers. If you're only attempting to collect money from tourists, you would probably encounter trouble getting a permit for a kissing booth to be located in a high tourist area because it is something West Indians, who grant the permits, would likely frown upon.

Good point about the permit.
Can a business owner do such a thing in their own store?

Generally speaking, West Indians do not consider dogs "pets" so much a security devices. It is extremely unlikely that any West Indians will want to kiss your, or any other, dog. People who move here from the states are a much smaller pool of people . They will buy Girl Scout cookies or tickets to fundraisers like the Humane Society's annual Doggie Ball, but I don't think kissing your dog will generate much in the way of donations. Local store owners are also unlikely to have the extra space for you and your dog, or the liability insurance should your dog reciprocate a kiss with a bite. If you really want to make a difference in the lives of abused and neglected animals on island, volunteer your time to the local Humane Society.

Christie come down here and try to understand the culture here. I'm glad you love animals and want to help them, they do need help here. Maybe once you are down here you'll be able to come up with some ideas that would be approriate for the islands. What dnt says is true, the culture here would not respond to a dog kissing booth. Animals are seen as tools with no feelings, locals are not going to get warm fuzzies over your idea and the police would have a field day with a unauthorized booth in the middle of town or in town period. STX has a flea market that takes donations and sells the items for the humane society. Maybe you could help out there or the shelter. Or you could raise money where you are for the islands if it is something you feel this passionaltely about.

Christie, glad you came up with an idea to help the animals. Could you contact the STT Humane Society or the Animal Shelter on STX & give them the idea? There are some private fund-raisers like Barktoberfest where someone might set up something similar that wouldn't require a permit. I know there were a lot of tourists at the Barktoberfest when it was held at Bolongo. Here's the site for the STT Humane Society.

http://www.humanesocietyofstthomas.com/

Thank you for all of your responses and website information. I hope there will be some VI residents that read this board and will be inspired to help the cause in some way.
I apologize for bringing up an unpleasant topic that may have resulted in hurt feelings. My attentions are good. I see an ugly issue that can be overcome, in an otherwise beautiful and welcoming place.

Dntw8up,

What would be the best way to approach the cruelty of animal topic with the West Indian people? The last thing I would want to do is appear insulting or condescending towards their culture.
Is there a way to open minds to the possibility of more human treatment of animals?
Do you think local perspective can change without abandoning cultural traditions and beliefs?

Any information and suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Christie,

I agree with previous posters that the best way is to get involved with the animal welfare shelter and watch and learn. They do booths are local events with pamphlets, and education, they go to schools and try to teach children about appropriate ways of taking care of animals. And they are always looking for volunteers, whether it is to help in the flea market, help maintain facilities at the shelter, community outreach or even just coming in and holding/petting/walking the animals. (I can't do that part.. it breaks my heart to leave them everytime.) Anyway, it sounds like the community outreach thing would be just your speed. And once you have been here for a while, you will have a good understanding about what might work here to help raise funds and educate people about animal cruelty and spay/neuter.

-Beth

Beth is right - and they SO need people to socialize the small dogs....when I was there last, the workers socialized the larger dogs in groups, but if you wanted to take one or two for a stroll it was fine as long as you cleared it with the coordinator. The workers just don't have time to do everything, and those dogs are longing for attention.

Many of the pups were going off island to shelters on the mainland NE coast where, because of the spay and neuter laws, it is very difficult to find a small pup. The animal welfare people will let you help all you want to, and I'm sure they would be thrilled to have someone as enthusiastic as you are - just be careful about your enthusiasm until you get your feet on the ground.

There was a girl there doing the school programs with elementary kids and I did several of those with her.....educating the up and coming young adults will be the way to go and I think they will work diligently at that.

DO volunteer and love on the dogs if you can - a lot of people, like Beth, just can't - I stuck with the pups because they will be around for a while or be adopted.....the adult dogs.....well, sometimes there would just be a sweetie that would catch your eye, but next week he might not be there. I never wanted to know the why....however, if you have some experience with rescue and volunteering, you can even work with them on placing dogs in appropriate homes.

These are some good folks - I can't think of the animal control guy's name, a local - and what a wonderful man he was, with a heart of gold. You'll enjoy your time there, just decide what your heart can take before you go.....

Such a nice topic and such great ideas. People I know on the island have animals and treat them really well....as in, spoiled with toys and "coochie coo" talking. And the dogs go out and socialize with their "friends" (other dogs). I didn't know that there was a cruelty problem. Of course, I knew about the dog fights...but thought it was isolated. It would hurt my heart to live there and see animals being treated so badly.

I had this really detailed post almost done and my power shut off to my PC, so here is the distilled version.

I like billboards for the VI.
-People of the VI use billboard for things that are important to them (elections and other things)
-Billboard work because island is so small and everyone will see it - and go slowly past it
-A well placed billboard, with the right caption (slogan) and an eye-catching picture would get attention

Billboards cost money

Fundraising could be simple
-paper coupons at the check out lines in the tourist intensive markets (see that here quite a bit)

-stand on a well-traveled corner with T-shirts, sandwich board and a bucket to collect $(done here all the time for local sporting teams, firefighters, and police). When you're sitting there in your car and the traffic is backed up (so you are not really moving) it feels really bad to ignore someone right outside your window. This makes giving easy and convenient for people. I suggest Red Hook, where more visitors are driving around. As a regular visitor, I'm already in the "spending" mode and giving to an island cause makes me feel more connected and like I am giving back to something that gives me so much pleasure.

Restaurant sponsors - not sure if island restaurants do this. Every Wednesday, here, is "Wednesday night out". Parking is free around the city. Places stay open late. Galleries have wine and cheese. It is Philadelphia's official night out. Certain restaurants will sponsor a fundraising effort (this is common for them to do) - 10% of all proceeds will go to .....whatever (charities change each week). Maybe the restaurants in the VI would do this. Then again, with the power costs like they are, maybe not.

Whatever you decide to do, just do it. Thanks for raising this topic and making us think about it!

christie: I too appreciate your enthusiasm. One thing about living in a totally different culture is that one should spend some time acclimating to it. It used to be called "settling in." It is a period of several months when the newcomer goes about his or her daily business and notes the differences. Sometimes a local person will explain some of the "how to" things, sometimes you just get to find out first hand! Anyway, once you have settled in, you will be able to figure out how you can make a difference!

Christie, what I was told, and this is just me talking and probably going off topic about something I am VERY passionate about, is that animals ARE considered "property" for the most part, not "feeling" beings, if you will. Many West Indians do not want to spay/neuter their pets because "it is not God's way".

I would venture to say that whether on the mainland or on island, the most important part is education regarding spay/neuter without stepping over that line of being offensive, which could be tricky - but the facts are startling - a male and female cat and their offspring can produce 370,000 cats in 7 years! Dogs would be around the same figure - which translates into a REALLY big problem when you're surrounded by water.

Moises - that's the animal control man who is a local - I don't know if Dean is still heading the shelter - he came from the mainland and is very interested in education as well, with the assistance of locals who can help him understand what can and can't be pushed without interfering on culture and tradition. He is quite passionate about education if done in a respectful manner. Moises is a wealth of information, and although many of the concepts may be foreign to those from the mainland, at least he will tell you just how it is. Please make an effort to meet him - a wonderful man!

I appreciate your responses so much. Thank you for caring.

Becky, thanks for a great wealth of info. Even though i didn't ask the original question, your reponse was very helpful. When are you going to be back on island, would love to say hi!

-B

Hey Beth! -

Say hi to Tab for me......I'll be back the end of May but probably traveling incognito. My fan club seems to have shrunk to.....well, Betty and Jane and Danieljude......hmmm.....do you think it's my approach? I'll be staying with Daniel - PM me with your phone # - I'll be there for 2-3 weeks.....SURPRISE, Daniel!!!

What, did I get kicked out of the fan club? Call me when you get here.

Never kicked out - I will be looking for you and Santa Claus when I get there.......I am figuring it will take me about 20 minutes to locate you at Cane, hidden behind your book.....I'll just look for the cooler!