As i look back on the past roller coaster of a year , i am filled with hope for the coming year. My team and i experience the best and the worst of mankind and their treatment of animals. The most prominent memory is that of the fire in January, where hundreds of people came together from all nationalities to save the dogs and raise money for recovery. I was overwhelmed with the kindness shown to my team and our animals.
Shortly afterwards our shop was under threat , we were rescued by an anonymous donor, who brought the shop outright so we could continue raising funds.
We now have 3 shops where volunteers work tirelessly raising funds. Without the donations from our supporters this would not be possible.
The bars and restaurants who support us through out the year , hosting events, having collection tins on their premises and so much more. The event organisers, who help to pull all this together , i thank you all.
Our trappers who have worked so hard this year to help abandoned , sick and scared animals, taking them to a place of safety. Your work is relentless and appreciated.
To the associations in Holland, Belgium, Germany and Italy , who support us, helping to find homes for many dogs who would otherwise be for ever in a shelter. Without you we would not be able to help so many on the Island.
This year we have had a record number of dogs admitted , a total of 240 admissions, 127 of which were puppies. We have had 206 adoptions, 64 of which were adopted abroad. Every day i have more calls to help animals, not just dogs.
We have seen a rise in complicated operations, our vets are amazing , who do whatever they can to keep the costs down.
Likewise our dog transporters who take our dogs, mainly to the U.K. who also try to keep the costs as low as they can to help our dogs.
Through the generosity of our donors and supporters we are able to help feed cat colonies, sterilise them and treat those who are injured. We have had everything brought to us from sick birds to a hedgehog !
I know that we see the harsher side of life when we have abandoned, abused and sick animals come to us, a side i wish did not exist, but sadly it does.
2025 i hope will see the next step in our plan come to fruition. The purchase of Esperanza , and the Land we currently rent, is our next goal. To expand means helping more dogs, more work , more reward.
It is impossible for me to name everyone involved in the rescue work that we do. I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved with Live Paws, regardless of what you do to help us , i appreciate every single one of you . After all, the work to help these dogs and others, is a team effort , and every one of you is valued. I cannot thank you all enough , for your kindness, compassion and dedication to our animals.
With gratitude.
Mark, president of Live PAWS.
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