Animal walk-in clinic treats 120 dogs

Asclepius Green is the body responsible for the co-ordination of the international Blue Flag beach certification programme in TT . Also supporting this initiative launched on June 3 were the Animal Welfare Network, Animals 360 and Angels 4 Animals.

The Animal Welfare Walk-In Clinic was a resounding success; with over 120 dogs being medically treated from the communities of Maracas, Las Cuevas and Tyrico, said a media release from the ministry.

Led by Dr Raymond Deonanan, the team of veterinarians and Blue Flag volunteers provided a range of treatments –from spaying, neutering to other medical regimens. This clinic was preceded by a house-tohouse visitation programme as well as students and NGO’s sensitisation encouraging the communities and evirons to care for their pets, and also inviting them to the free field clinic.

This Animal Welfare Programme executed within the Maracas communities has already been earmarked for a potential best practice by Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), the parent organisation for Blue Flag. It is a pilot that can be successfully implemented in communities throughout Trinidad and Tobago as its objective of humanely reducing the amount of roaming and stray animals will only enhance the image of destination TT , the release said.

From a 2010 survey done by the TDC among citizens and international visitors it was revealed that the dire condition of stray animals on the streets and on the beaches in Trinidad and Tobago is a deterrent to an enjoyable experience. Tourists enjoy visiting a community that take pride in its animals.

Other initiatives recently done under the Blue Flag include the hosting of a Marine Park where students got the rare opportunity to interact with local native marine life as well as the launch of the children’s activity book “Saving Our Oceans with Samanta the Manta”.

Las Cuevas has the distinction of being the only Blue Flag certified beach in the southern English-speaking Caribbean. The Blue Flag certification means that international standards for water quality, environmental management, environmental education and safety and services have been met. When you have Blue Flag certification, you know you are at one of the best beaches in the world - one that is clean, has excellent facilities, and meets high safety and environmental standards.