New organisation focuses on rescuing abused, abandoned animals

A newly established organisation referred to as “Paws for a Cause” has been the driving force in providing assistance for animals, who are neglected or abused by their owners.
The group was formed on February 16, 2019 by three women, Steffi Denobrega, Marcia Tucker and Shari Da Silva, who were previously involved in rescuing animals but decided to combine their efforts to reach a wider spectrum.
To date, they have received many reports of animal cruelty and have managed to offer help with support from volunteers. One of the founders, Steffi Denobrega told the Guyana Times that many animals are taken in, sometimes in critical health conditions, where they are offered a home and treatment until an adoption is finalized. In most cases, they are kept at a shelter but volunteers would foster some of the animals at their house.
“We have a foster home and he have about 10 animals there so most of them are rescued and then we have members from our group that foster at their homes, like kittens and puppies. As those animals grow up, find homes for them,” said Denobrega.
Daily experiences involve many animals who have been seriously injured. In one instance, Tucker stated that they heard word of a horse being used for labour but upon arrival, they were unable to save the mammal.
She explained that a puppy was beaten by an owner with severe head injuries inflicted with a sharp object. That animal was successfully rescued, where medical attention was provided.
“The abuse is the roughest part of the job. We’re extreme animal lovers and when we see those things, it’s hard but it’s what keeps us going,” she stated.
Usually, these reports would be made by concerned citizens who would send details to their facebook page at Paws For A Cause. Members of the group would then dispatch themselves to the area to rescue the animal.
It was related that these cases are prevalent on the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara, with cats and dogs being at the top of the list for abuse. However, the organisation is planning to heighten their response to areas in Berbice, Bartica and other far-flung areas.
“On a day to day basis, we get reports all over Georgetown and we try to schedule on when we’re going to rescue them. On the East Coast and the East Bank is way bigger than Georgetown,” said Tucker.
They have also engaged a number of schools to educate young children on their approach towards animals and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) to look out for animal abuse.
“We want to reach out to the NDCs and the Mayor and City Council because we want to stretch this further. We want to go to Essequibo and Berbice and Bartica because all these places have problems. We try to get volunteers from those areas to assist us,” Denobrega added.
In the past week, they would have facilitated the adoption of a batch of puppies and two dogs. For now, Paws For A Cause are trying to get more volunteers on board to assist with rescuing animals from remote areas of Guyana. Throughout the past month, they have collaborated with veterinarian, Dr Nardeo Bassoodeo and the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) among others.
“We’d really like if more vets can come on board with us and help because one is not enough and we want to expand our foster care systems and get more volunteers on board,” one of the members mentioned.