Baark! (Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights and Kindness) has once again made a monumental impact on animal welfare in the Bahamas by hosting four MASH(Mobile Animal Sterilization Hospital) clinics across Eleuthera between October11th and November 17th. An incredible 625 dogs and cats were spayed/neutered, spanning the island from North to South, assisting communities in need along the way.

Each clinic represents an immense commitment of time, resources and energy:each costing Baark! up to $20,000. However, the benefits of these efforts are invaluable—not just in the surgeries performed but also in the awareness created about responsible animal guardianship and the prevention of countless unwanted litters.

Family Island Clinic Coordinator, Lissa McCombe shared "the organization forthese clinics is extensive and the days are intense, but the impact we’re seeing in the community is undeniable. Thanks to the support of our donors and the local community, our team has been warmly welcomed. Visitors who toured the Mobile Clinic were able to gain a full understanding of our work's importance. Residents have even remarked on the noticeable decline in stray animals and unwanted litters, showing that our combined efforts are truly paying off.’”

Dr. Pedro Davis, one of the veterinarians performing surgeries at the clinics,noted the community’s positive attitude: “I liked the most about the Eleutheraclinics was the people and their attitudes towards the animals. They appreciatedus coming and were very willing to have all their animals spayed and neutered.” 

Stephon Fowler, Baark!’s Mobile Clinic Animal Handler, highlighted the challenges and the joy of working in underserved communities: “The clinics inEleuthera are amazing. Everyone can feel the joy of helping these communities,which need so much when it comes to animal care. With just one vet on theisland, Baark! is making a huge difference. Seeing people support, askquestions, and change their mindset about caring for animals is truly rewarding.”

In addition to performing surgeries, Baark!’s outreach includes educational initiatives. One of the clinic’s most memorable moments involved a school visit byBaark's resident vet Dr. Dan, who spoke with children about the importance oftreating animals with care and kindness. “Educating the next generation will havea lasting impact on creating a compassionate community for animals,” addedFowler.

Baark! is dedicated to improving the lives of animals and communities in The Bahamas. Through spay, neuter, and educational programs, Baark! aims toreduce the number of homeless and suffering animals while fostering compassion and kindness. Their tireless work proves that spay, neuter, and education are the keys to creating lasting change and improving the lives of both animals and people across the islands.

For more information about Baark! and how you can support their mission,visit www.baarkbahamas.org.

Baark! (Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights and Kindness) has once again made a monumental impact on animal welfare in the Bahamas by hosting four MASH (Mobile Animal Sterilization Hospital) clinics across Eleuthera between October 11th and November 17th. An incredible 625 dogs and cats were spayed/neutered, spanning the island from North to South, assisting communities in need along the way. Each clinic represents an immense commitment of time, resources and energy: each costing Baark! up to $20,000. However, the benefits of these efforts are invaluable—not just in the surgeries performed but also in the awareness created about responsible animal guardianship and the prevention of countless unwanted litters. Family Island Clinic Coordinator, Lissa McCombe shared "the organization for these clinics is extensive and the days are intense, but the impact we’re seeing in the community is undeniable. Thanks to the support of our donors and the local community, our team has been warmly welcomed. Visitors who toured the Mobile Clinic were able to gain a full understanding of our work's importance. Residents have even remarked on the noticeable decline in stray animals and unwanted litters, showing that our combined efforts are truly paying off.’” Dr. Pedro Davis, one of the veterinarians performing surgeries at the clinics, noted the community’s positive attitude: “I liked the most about the Eleuthera clinics was the people and their attitudes towards the animals. They appreciated us coming and were very willing to have all their animals spayed and neutered.”  Stephon Fowler, Baark!’s Mobile Clinic Animal Handler, highlighted the challenges and the joy of working in underserved communities: “The clinics in Eleuthera are amazing. Everyone can feel the joy of helping these communities, which need so much when it comes to animal care. With just one vet on the island, Baark! is making a huge difference. Seeing people support, ask questions, and change their mindset about caring for animals is truly rewarding.” In addition to performing surgeries, Baark!’s outreach includes educational initiatives. One of the clinic’s most memorable moments involved a school visit by Baark's resident vet Dr. Dan, who spoke with children about the importance of treating animals with care and kindness. “Educating the next generation will have a lasting impact on creating a compassionate community for animals,” added Fowler. Baark! is dedicated to improving the lives of animals and communities in The Bahamas. Through spay, neuter, and educational programs, Baark! aims to reduce the number of homeless and suffering animals while fostering compassion and kindness. Their tireless work proves that spay, neuter, and education are the keys to creating lasting change and improving the lives of both animals and people across the islands. For more information about Baark! and how you can support their mission, visit www.baarkbahamas.org.

 

Can't afford to pray or neuter your dog or cat? 

Baark is now providing low cost spray and neuter services.

In a continuing commitment to supporting animal welfare in New Providence, Tito's Handmade Vodka and its distributor Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits have renewed their support of The Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights & Kindness (Baark). As a global brand, Tito’s is widely recognized not only for the quality of its vodka but also for its strong focus on corporate responsibility and philanthropy, especially in support of efforts tied to animal well-being.

Most recently, the company donated to the Baark team during a special ceremony held at the NGO’s New Providence Headquarters.

“Through our global Vodka for Dog People program, we’re proud to recognize and assist organizations that are working to help better the lives of pets and animals around the world,” said John McDonnell, Managing Director, International, at Tito’s Handmade Vodka. “We’re honored to continue our support of The Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights & Kindness, and the important work they do throughout the Bahamas.”

Since 2009, Baark’s mission has been to save animal lives and end animal suffering. The organization’s spay/neuter and educational programs have worked to reduce the homeless animal population and end the unfortunate suffering of cats and dogs across the island and the country. Now, for another consecutive year, the partnership with Tito’s is again opening the door to further advancing those efforts. “This effort with Tito’s Handmade Vodka has helped fund core elements of our work including our mobile clinic which allows us to carry out spay and neuter procedures in areas that have the highest density of displaced and homeless cats and dogs,” said Baark Chairman Laura Kimble.

The recently donated funds will be used toward the expansion of the NGO’s Operation Potcake initiative in 2024. Established in 2012, Operation Potcake is a coalition of The Bahamas Humane Society, Baark!, Animal Balance, the Veterinary Medical Association of The Bahamas, and the Ministry of Agriculture,” Kimble explained. Its mission: to carry out an aggressive spay and neuter program designed to reduce the stray animal population across the island of New Providence.

For more than a decade now, Baark! has worked to spay and neuter nearly 30,000 dogs and cats, with more than 6,000 of those since April 2022. “Already this year, we’ve carried out more than 2,000 spays and neuters and we’re looking forward to building on that success in 2024,” added Kimble.

From January 18-28, 2024, Operation Potcake will work to spay/neuter as many as 3,000 dogs and cats in New Providence to help reduce the number of unwanted animals suffering in The Bahamas. Persons interested in supporting Baark’s ongoing efforts are asked to visit www.baarkbahamas.com or www.operationpotcake.com for details on where to donate or volunteer.

In a continuing commitment to supporting animal welfare in New Providence, Tito's Handmade Vodka and its distributor Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits have renewed their support of The Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights & Kindness (Baark). As a global brand, Tito’s is widely recognized not only for the quality of its vodka but also for its strong focus on corporate responsibility and philanthropy, especially in support of efforts tied to animal well-being. Most recently, the company donated to the Baark team during a special ceremony held at the NGO’s New Providence Headquarters. “Through our global Vodka for Dog People program, we’re proud to recognize and assist organizations that are working to help better the lives of pets and animals around the world,” said John McDonnell, Managing Director, International, at Tito’s Handmade Vodka. “We’re honored to continue our support of The Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights & Kindness, and the important work they do throughout the Bahamas.” Since 2009, Baark’s mission has been to save animal lives and end animal suffering. The organization’s spay/neuter and educational programs have worked to reduce the homeless animal population and end the unfortunate suffering of cats and dogs across the island and the country. Now, for another consecutive year, the partnership with Tito’s is again opening the door to further advancing those efforts. “This effort with Tito’s Handmade Vodka has helped fund core elements of our work including our mobile clinic which allows us to carry out spay and neuter procedures in areas that have the highest density of displaced and homeless cats and dogs,” said Baark Chairman Laura Kimble. The recently donated funds will be used toward the expansion of the NGO’s Operation Potcake initiative in 2024. Established in 2012, Operation Potcake is a coalition of The Bahamas Humane Society, Baark!, Animal Balance, the Veterinary Medical Association of The Bahamas, and the Ministry of Agriculture,” Kimble explained. Its mission: to carry out an aggressive spay and neuter program designed to reduce the stray animal population across the island of New Providence. For more than a decade now, Baark! has worked to spay and neuter nearly 30,000 dogs and cats, with more than 6,000 of those since April 2022. “Already this year, we’ve carried out more than 2,000 spays and neuters and we’re looking forward to building on that success in 2024,” added Kimble. From January 18-28, 2024, Operation Potcake will work to spay/neuter as many as 3,000 dogs and cats in New Providence to help reduce the number of unwanted animals suffering in The Bahamas. Persons interested in supporting Baark’s ongoing efforts are asked to visit www.baarkbahamas.com or www.operationpotcake.com for details on where to donate or volunteer.

The Department of Marine Resources takes this opportunity to advise the public that the crawfish season opens on Tuesday 1st August 2023 and closes Sunday 31st March 2024.

The public is reminded regarding the following:

1. The legal measurement for whole crawfish is a carapace (jacket) length of 3¼ inches and when the tail is separated, a tail length of 5½ inches.

2. Those persons wishing to harvest crawfish are required to have a crawfish measuring gauge in their possession.

3. Possession of dishwashing liquid, bleach, or other noxious substance aboard any vessel while fishing is unlawful without first obtaining a permit authorizing such possession; and

4. A permit is required for the use of the air compressor or crawfish traps to aid in fishing.

The public is also reminded about the most recent fisheries fees amendments to the Fisheries (Jurisdiction and Conservation) Regulations that came into effect on the 1st July 2023. Some of the more notable changes for fishers include the following:

1. Permit to trap crawfish - $50.00.

2. Permit to use a compressor - $30.00.

3. Commercial Fishing License:

i. 15 ft. up to 39 ft. - $100.00

ii. 39½ ft. up to 78½ ft. - $200.00

iii. 79 ft. and above - $250.00

Fishers are also reminded of the following:

1. The requirement that all vessels being 15 ft. or larger in length that are engaged in commercial fishing be licensed by the Department of Marine Resources to be so engaged. Application forms may be obtained at any of the department’s offices in New Providence and the Family Islands. Applicants should ensure that their vessels have been licensed by the Port Department, and that they possess a valid Business License.

2. Fishers are also reminded they can apply online via The Bahamas Government’s MyGateway platform and pay utilizing a Credit or Debit Card for any of the services required inclusive of crawfish trapping permits (new or renewal), permit to use a compressor (new or renewal), commercial fishing license (new or renewal), etc.;

3. The prohibition of foreign employment in any form aboard a licensed Bahamian commercial fishing vessel; and

4. The catching, selling or purchasing of undersize or berried crawfish is illegal.

The Department of Marine Resources further reminds the public that only those vessels owned by Bahamian citizens that are resident within the country can legally engage in commercial fishing exercises.

The cooperation of all persons engaged in fishing is requested regarding safeguarding the sustainability of our resources.

For further information, please contact the department via tel. nos.: (242) 393 1777 or (242) 393 1014/5

The Department of Marine Resources takes this opportunity to advise the public that the crawfish season opens on Tuesday 1st August 2023 and closes Sunday 31st March 2024. The public is reminded regarding the following: 1. The legal measurement for whole crawfish is a carapace (jacket) length of 3¼ inches and when the tail is separated, a tail length of 5½ inches. 2. Those persons wishing to harvest crawfish are required to have a crawfish measuring gauge in their possession. 3. Possession of dishwashing liquid, bleach, or other noxious substance aboard any vessel while fishing is unlawful without first obtaining a permit authorizing such possession; and 4. A permit is required for the use of the air compressor or crawfish traps to aid in fishing. The public is also reminded about the most recent fisheries fees amendments to the Fisheries (Jurisdiction and Conservation) Regulations that came into effect on the 1st July 2023. Some of the more notable changes for fishers include the following: 1. Permit to trap crawfish - $50.00. 2. Permit to use a compressor - $30.00. 3. Commercial Fishing License: i. 15 ft. up to 39 ft. - $100.00 ii. 39½ ft. up to 78½ ft. - $200.00 iii. 79 ft. and above - $250.00 Fishers are also reminded of the following: 1. The requirement that all vessels being 15 ft. or larger in length that are engaged in commercial fishing be licensed by the Department of Marine Resources to be so engaged. Application forms may be obtained at any of the department’s offices in New Providence and the Family Islands. Applicants should ensure that their vessels have been licensed by the Port Department, and that they possess a valid Business License. 2. Fishers are also reminded they can apply online via The Bahamas Government’s MyGateway platform and pay utilizing a Credit or Debit Card for any of the services required inclusive of crawfish trapping permits (new or renewal), permit to use a compressor (new or renewal), commercial fishing license (new or renewal), etc.; 3. The prohibition of foreign employment in any form aboard a licensed Bahamian commercial fishing vessel; and 4. The catching, selling or purchasing of undersize or berried crawfish is illegal. The Department of Marine Resources further reminds the public that only those vessels owned by Bahamian citizens that are resident within the country can legally engage in commercial fishing exercises. The cooperation of all persons engaged in fishing is requested regarding safeguarding the sustainability of our resources. For further information, please contact the department via tel. nos.: (242) 393 1777 or (242) 393 1014/5