Humane Society of Grand Bahama

Grand Bahama
Humane Society
P.O. Box F-42741, Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas

Phone: (242) 352-2477
Cell: (242) 375-0778 (after hours)

Email: cjpurdham@hotmail.com

Visiting Hours:

Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Sat. : 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Memberships are:

Individual - $20.00

Family - $30.00

Family Plus - $75.00

Please make all checks out to the " Grand Bahama Humane Society."

Visit our website at www.gbhumane.org

Just a Buck Can Change Their Luck!
The Humane Society of Grand Bahama will provide this animal with vet care, food, and shelter. Contributions are vital to the very survival of the Humane Society.

Our shelter is in fear of closing due to lack of funds. Should you find it in your heart to help these animals, please make a donation to our shelter. No donation is too small.

Our four legged friends will thank you!!

Our Mission
Founded in 1970, the Humane Society of Grand Bahama is an incorporated, non-profit organization, run by volunteers and funded solely through memberships, donations, adoption fees, and fund raising events.

The Grand Bahama Humane Society's (GBHS) primary purpose is to protect God's creatures in trouble. We are totally funded by private donations from the public. Our aim is to control the unwanted animal population of Grand Bahama island by means of animal controls and pickups, adoptions, and euthanasia. The secondary purpose of the Society is to educate the public towards animal care and welfare through the media, school education, and GBHS publications. If you have any questions, please feel free to stop and visit us any time. --Jacki Purdham, President

Wish List

This is a wish list of items we are always in need of.

1. Laundry Detergent
2. Cat Litter
3. Clorox
4. Paper Towels
5. Canned Cat Food
6. Dry Dog & Cat Food
7. Stainless Steel Bowls
8. Dog & Cat Toys
9. Plastic Cups
10. Old Towels and Blankets
11. Garden Hoses
12. Power Washer
13. 50 gal. Medal Trash Cans w/ Lids
14. Rain Gutters
15. Dog Houses
16. Portable Kennels
17. Small Truck for Transportation of Animals

Contact us for more information.

Education Programs
The mission statement of the Humane Society of Grand Bahama is to alleviate the suffering of animals. Many people either do not know this, or in the everyday scheme of things, forget that objective. Our humane education programs for children and adults have been, and continue to be created to alleviate animal suffering through public awareness of the importance of neutering, proper and loving care of dogs and cats and subsequent respect for them, animal cruelty prevention, and the multi-faceted role of the Humane Society in the community.

The majority of our humane education programs for children commence with the very basic understanding of the word "humane," because for many people, this is not a household word. There is a strong need to communicate to people that it is indeed everyone's responsibility to take care of animals who are unable to care for themselves. We participate in many community events, i.e. pet shows, to highlight our mission statement and to instill in people what is considered to be humane and inhumane. It is our objective to educate people in a responsible, effective and proper manner and to maintain a high level of visibility in the community.

To alleviate animal suffering, to open our doors to people and animals alike, to instruct and teach by example and to educate responsibly … these are our reasons for being here.

Contact us to become a member today!

Help Homeless Animals…Support Your Local Animal Shelter
There's a place in your community where the hungry are fed, the homeless are sheltered, and the abandoned are given care. It's your local animal shelter, which provides comfort and care for your community's unwanted animals. Your shelter offers many other services, too, for pets and their owners and ever for people without pets. To do all this, your shelter relies on the support of people like you. Here are a few ways you can help animals, especially those at your local shelter:

Give a little bit. Donate food; old blankets and towels, or other needed supplies to your local shelter. Contribute to one of its special programs.
Lend a hand. Volunteer your time at your local shelter. Bathe and groom the animals, walk dogs, or play with cats. Help publicize an event.
Find that special someone. Choose your next pet from your local shelter. The shelter has many wonderful dogs and cats of different shapes and sizes waiting for a permanent, loving home.
Help spread the word. Tell your friends about your local shelter's services. Promote animal safety and responsible pet ownership.
Be a responsible pet owner. Keep current identification on your dog or cat at all times. Spay or neuter your pet. Always keep your dog or cat properly confined or supervised. In addition to the basics – food, water, shelter, and veterinary care – give your pets lots of love and attention.

Visiting Hours
While you are visiting Freeport, we encourage you to visit our shelter, which is located on Cedar Street, across from OBS Marina and Solomons. Our business hours are as follows:

Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sat. – 9a.m. 12p.m.

Visit our website at www.gbhumane.org

P.O. Box F-42741, Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas
Phone: (242) 352-2477 | Cell: (242) 375-0778 (after hours)
Email: cjpurdham@hotmail.com

Visiting Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Sat. : 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Memberships are:
Individual - $20.00 Family - $30.00 Family Plus - $75.00
Please make all checks out to the "Grand Bahama Humane Society."

Animal Training

Bill Grimmer, world famous dog trainer, has once again donated his services to the Grand Bahama Humane Society for obedience training. It has been a huge success for both owner and dog.

The training consists of a 6-week course, one night a week, at the YMCA. The Basic class, tailored to adolescent and adult dogs, helps your pet "unlearn" undesirable habits and replace them with good ones. We'll work with you to teach your pet – for a better relationship between you and your dog.

Common commands (Come, sit, lie down, & many others)
Canine health care, grooming and nutrition
House manners
Problem solving

Training is an ongoing process. The key to success is starting every new behavior working deliberately, looking for small success and gradually adding distractions as your dog becomes more proficient. In the advanced class, you'll help your dog learn confidence and self-control.

From basic manners to problem solving, anything is possible with a good education. The classes will help bridge communication between you and your dog. After all, dogs aren't born knowing what humans consider acceptable behavior, but they're eager to learn! So, whether you're encountering problems or simply interested in nurturing a mutually rewarding relationship with your dog, the Grand Bahama Humane Society and Bill Grimmer can help.

With "lure rewarding" training technique, we focus on results using positive reinforcement. Food, toys, voice and hand signals are used to motivate pets to behave well. This gentle and effective approach is fun for pets and people. For further information, please call the Humane Society at 352--2477 during business hours, Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. or call 373-4402. -- Jacki Purdham, President, Grand Bahama Humane Society

If you decide to add a pet to your family, adopt a dog or cat from an animal shelter, and not a breeder.
Always keep an ID tags on your pets; this is a lost pet's ticket home.
Do your part to help the pet overpopulation problem. Spay or neuter your pets.
Encourage other pet owners to spay or neuter their pets, too.
Report animal abuse to your local animal shelter, animal control department, or the humane society

Be A Responsible Dog Owner

Keep Your Dog Healthy
Let's start with the basics: food and water, shelter, exercise, training, and veterinary care. The food and water part is a cinch; all you have to remember is that, like you, dogs need a good diet to stay healthy. Just ask your veterinarian for advice on feeding your pet a regular, nutritionally balanced diet.

Giving your pet proper shelter is easy, too. Dogs aren't called housepets for nothing; inside the house is where they belong. A fenced yard with a doghouse is always nice to have, especially for large and active dogs, but dogs should never be left outside alone for long periods of time. Dogs crave and require companionship, and they should stay inside with the family whenever possible.

As far as exercise goes, most dog owners find that simply spending time with their companion, playing with him, and walking him at least twice a day will keep him in top shape. This will be as rewarding for you as it is for the dog!

If your new companion hasn't yet been trained, enrolling him in obedience classes is a good idea. Training your dog teaches both discipline and kindness, and will help prevent behavioral problems that can crop up down the road.

Finally, you'll want to help your pet stay healthy through regular check-ups by your veterinarian. Good health care means that pets stay up-to-date on shots and have any illnesses or injuries promptly treated. If you don't yet have a veterinarian for your dog, you can check with your local humane society or ask a pet-owning friend for a referral.

A One-time Surgery, A Lifetime Benefit
"Spaying" and "neutering" are words you're probably familiar with. What you may be surprised to hear is that having your female dog spayed or your male dog neutered is the single most important step you can take to be a responsible pet owner.

To spay your female dog is to have her ovaries and uterus surgically removed. To neuter your male dog is to have his testicles removed. The result of both operations is that your companion will no longer be able to bring more homeless animals into the world. That's pretty important when you consider that more than four million dogs and cats must be humanely destroyed each year because there aren't enough homes for them all.

Spaying and neutering are also better for your pet. Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your dog is spayed before her first estrous cycle. Neutering reduces the incidence of prostate cancer and prostate disorders. Neutered pets are also less likely to bite, run away, or get into fights. To top it all off, dogs who are spayed or neutered not only live longer, healthier lives, but also make better, more affectionate companions.

Spaying or neutering is a one-time surgery with a one-time cost. But both procedures offer a lifetime of benefits. When it comes right down to it, if you can't afford to have your dog spayed or neutered, then you can't afford to have a dog.

A Collar and Tag are a Lost Dog's Ticket Home
No matter how careful most dog owners are, there's always the chance their companion may become lost. And if that happens, a dog who's not protected by a license, collar, and identification tag may be plain out of luck.

Don't make the mistake too many pet owners make. Put an ID tag on him before a problem occurs. Your humane society will have more information about local laws, where you can obtain tags, and where you can have your pet vaccinated for rabies. A collar and tag are a lost dog's ticket home. The tags should include a license number, your address, and a contact number.

Exercise Restraint
A dog who roams the neighborhood; chases cars, bicycles, and joggers; soils the neighbor's yard; knocks over trash cans; or barks incessantly is a dog with an irresponsible owner. An essential rule to follow is this: off property, on leash. When not confined to your property, either inside the house or in a secure, fenced yard, your dog must be under control. Remember that you are responsible for any damage, accidents, and bites caused by your companion. And you should always pick up after your dog, regardless of where he decides to do his business.

A Lifetime Commitment
You'll undoubtedly fall in love with your new companion right away, but don't forget that he'll be with you for the rest of his life. Dogs who are tied out in the backyard for long periods of time, crated inside all day while their owners are at work, or exercised only at their owner's convenience are dogs who are being neglected and who are more likely to develop serious behavior problems.

So be good to your dog, and be good to your neighbors. If you follow the rules of responsible pet ownership, you'll be rewarded with the many joys of having a dog by your side.

Leaving Your Pet in a Parked Car Can Be a Deadly Mistake

Never leave your pet unattended in a parked car for any period of time. On a warm day, the temperature in a parked car can reach 120°F in a matter of minutes—even with the car windows partially open. Your pet can quickly suffer brain damage or die from heatstroke or suffocation when trapped in high temperatures. This is what you should do if your pet is exposed to high temperatures:

Be alert for the signs of heat stress—heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, unsteadiness, a staggering gait, vomiting, or a deep red or purple tongue.
If your pet becomes overheated, you must lower his body temperature immediately.
Move your pet into the shade and apply cool (not cold) water all over her body to gradually lower her body temperature.
Apply ice packs or cold towels to your pet's head, neck, and chest only.
Let your pet drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes.
Finally, take your pet directly to a veterinarian—it could save your pet's life.

Protect Your Pet from Common Household Dangers

Many common household items can pose a threat to animal companions. Even some items specifically meant for pets could cause health problems. To protect your pet, simply use common sense and take the same precautions you would with a child.

Antifreeze that contains ethylene glycol has a sweet taste that attracts animals but is deadly if consumed in even small quantities; one teaspoon can kill a seven pound cat. Pet owners should use a safe antifreeze in their vehicles. Look for antifreeze that contains propylene glycol, which is less toxic for animals if ingested in small amounts.
Chemicals used on lawns and gardens, such as fertilizer and plant food, can be easily accessible and fatal to a pet allowed in the yard unsupervised.
Chocolate is poisonous to dogs, cats, and ferrets.
Insect control products, such as the insecticides used in many over-the-counter flea and tick remedies, may be toxic to companion animals. Prescription flea and tick control products are much safer and more effective. Pet owners should never use any product without first consulting a veterinarian.
Fumes from nonstick cooking surfaces and self-cleaning ovens can be deadly to birds. Always be cautious when using any pump or aerosol spray around birds.
Human medications such as pain killers (including aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen), cold medicines, anti-cancer drugs, anti-depressants, vitamins, and diet pills can all be toxic to animals. Keep medication containers and tubes of ointments and creams away from pets who could chew through them, and be vigilant about finding and disposing of any dropped pills.
Leftovers such as chicken bones easily shatter and can choke a cat or dog. Other human foods to keep away from pets include onions and onion powder; alcoholic beverages; yeast dough; coffee grounds and beans; salt; macadamia nuts; tomato, potato, and rhubarb leaves and stems; avocados (toxic to birds, mice, rabbits, horses, cattle, and dairy goats); and anything with mold growing on it.
Poisonous household plants include azalea, geraniums, dieffenbachia (dumb cane), mistletoe, philodendron, and poinsettia among others.
String, yarn, rubber bands, and even dental floss are easy to swallow and can cause intestinal blockages or strangulation.
Toys with removable parts—like squeaky toys or stuffed animals with plastic eyes—can pose a choking hazard to animals. Take the same precautions with pets as you would with a small child.

For more information about common household dangers, visit The American Veterinary Medical Association's Pet Owner's Guide to Common Small Animal Poisons. We recommend that pet owners use all household products with caution, and keep a pet first aid kit and manual readily available. If all of your precautions fail and you believe that your pet has been poisoned, contact your veterinarian or emergency veterinary service immediately. Signs of poisoning include listlessness, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, lack of coordination, and fever.

Why You Should Spay or Neuter Your Pet

Every day thousands upon thousands of puppies and kittens are born because of the uncontrolled breeding of pets. Add to that number the offspring of stray and abandoned companion animals, and the total becomes even more staggering.

Spaying and neutering can also drastically improve your pet's health and life expectancy. The idea that pets become fat or lazy when they are spayed or neutered is a myth. Sterilized pets lead healthier, longer lives. Spaying a female eliminates the possibility of uterine and ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the risk of breast cancer. Neutering a male reduces the risk of both prostate enlargement and prostate cancer. Neutering also will make your pet more affectionate and less likely to roam, get in fights, or become lost.

Some people refuse to spay or neuter their pet because they think it would be nice for their pet to have puppies or kittens. But each responsible home that is found for for these puppies and kittens means one less home that is available for the many shelter animals waiting to be adopted. Each day animal shelters are forced to destroy thousands of dogs and cats for lack of responsible homes.