Words by Smiley Team
According to PetPoint, animal fostering and adoptions have increased by 700 percent across the US. Despite this, the Animal Care Centre (ACC) on the U.S Virgin Island of St John is struggling more than ever, with the pandemic eradicating the tourism industry on which the centre relied.
The Centre, located in Cruz Bay, addresses problems of cruelty to neglect and abuse of island animals. It is a no-kill shelter providing kennels for homeless dogs and inside cages for a limited number of homeless cats. It is a stable resource for the community, providing animal lovers with a way to find their perfect pets, programmes catering to the island’s specific needs and also community education.
The majority of the adoptions from their shelters come from tourists visiting the island.
Asya Simmons, the Centre’s assistant manager says ‘With tourism at a complete halt, there is concern over raising funds to support the ACC’s community programmes, to support the animals in our care and to transport animals to homes and partner shelters in the States before the warm summer months make flights impossible.’
Anne Bequette, 10-year-resident of St. John and local photographer, recently captured the COVID-19 engagement of Asya and her new fiance Matt, who have dedicated their lives to animal welfare work at the ACC. They hope that the photos drive support, love and care of island animals during this time - by featuring a rescued ACC dog that is available for adoption, Calichi.
Right now, the centre is in urgent need of donations, having lost their income from the tourism economy on the island. Once the crisis is over, they are always in need of volunteers to help care for the animals including walking dogs, socialising them and helping to clean.
More information can be found at our website, www.stjacc.org, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stjohnanimalcarecenter
By Ellen Jones
Photo by Anne Bequette
