We’re halfway through the first month of 2025, and we’d like to take a moment to look back on the year 2024! It was a year full of wonderful achievements, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who supported Animal Shelter. From our dedicated volunteers to our sponsors and donors, you made this year amazing!
Our achievements in 2024 include:
ANOTHER RECORD FOR STERILIZATIONS! A total of 823 dogs and cats were sterilized through our Free Sterilization Program, the highest number ever since the program began in 2004 . This includes animals from the Animal Shelter, individual pet owners, and partners like FKK (Fundashon Kunuku Kakelvers). We’re thankful for the island veterinarians who support our program by reducing the cost of surgeries
Animals brought into the Shelter: A total of 352 animals, including 211 dogs/puppies and 141 cats/kittens. This is 12 fewer animals than in 2023, showing a slight decrease in intakes. However, the numbers remain high due to ongoing challenges, such as rental homes not allowing pets, forcing owners to surrender their beloved companions
Adoptions: 201 animals found their forever home in 2024, a significant increase compared to previous years. We are thrilled to see more people opening their hearts and homes to adopt! This gives us hope, but we continue to see that the biggest obstacle for many potential adopters is the availability of pet-friendly rental housing. We encourage landlords to consider implementing pet deposits or working with tenants who are responsible pet owners, as this simple step can make a huge difference in preventing animals from ending up in shelters.
Current Residents: As of January 1, 2025, the Animal Shelter is home to 261 dogs and cats, all healthy, vaccinated, sterilized, and waiting for a loving home
One of the highlights of 2024 was the reopening of our beloved Pakus di Pruga. Pakus di Pruga reopened its doors in May 2024 after finding a new location . This reopening gave a significant boost to the Shelter’s income. We are truly grateful to the donors and businesses who made this possible . A special thanks goes to the amazing volunteers at Pakus di Pruga, whose hard work and dedication ensured a smooth transition to the new location and made the reopening a success. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Another highlight of the year was our Charity Dinner on August 16, 2024, which raised over $11,000 for the Shelter. This wonderful event brought animal lovers and supporters from across the island together to enjoy a great evening. The funds raised will go directly towards the care of our animals, our sterilization programs, and other essential Shelter activities. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who attended, donated, or contributed in any way to making this event a success.
We are also deeply thankful for the volunteers who made everything possible in 2024. From Pakus di Pruga and the Cruise Market to IT support, social media, animal care, and more, our volunteers are the heart and soul of the Shelter. Thank you for your unwavering dedication!
Looking ahead to 2025, we aim to build on the successes of 2024 by further increasing sterilizations and striving for another record in our Free Sterilization Program. We will also continue working to boost adoptions and collaborate with local government and other organizations to address Bonaire’s animal welfare challenges.
If you’re looking for a furry companion or want to contribute as a volunteer, please visit us. Together, we can make a difference!
