Bahamas Humane Society would like to thank Inspector Carl Thurston for his thirty years at the BHS. Carl will be retiring on Tuesday, May 29th. His calm and pleasant demeanour will be missed around the office, and anyone following in his footsteps will be hard-pressed to navigate the back roads of this island as successfully as he does. Carl will be retiring to his native Cat Island where he plans to enjoy some well-earned rest. Thank you, Carl, for your many years of dedicated service!

Moving fully into the BHS Inspectorate will be Valentino Armaly. Valentino has been with the BHS for two and a half years now and many of you already know him. We wish him luck as an inspector. Joining the BHS staff as ambulance driver and inspector-in-training will be Natalia Nunez. She returns to us after a few years' absence and we welcome her back.

Saturday, June 9th, 2012 is going to be a very busy day! For you horse race enthusiasts, it marks the running of the Belmont Stakes where we'll Have Another will be attempting to win his third race of the Triple Crown.

If you're looking for a fun-filled family event, on June 9th, the New Providence Community Centre will be holding its Second Annual Summer Celebration Fun Day & Jerk Out. This event begins at noon and ends at 6 p.m. and will be held at the Centre on Blake Road. The BHS will have a table so be sure to come out and visit and support us there. Thank you to those who have offered to assist me at the table. A flyer for this event is attached.

After your day of fun in the sun, head home, walk the dog, feed the cat, then make your way further west to Goodfellow Farms, also on June 9th, for Family Night @ the Farm. This event is a fundraiser for the BHS. Tickets are $50.00 for adults and $20.00 for children under 10. The night's menu includes bar-b-que steak and salmon, and vegan dishes will also be available. There will be a cash bar and a raffle will be held with prizes for all ages. A steel drum trio will be accompanying it all. Tickets are available at the BHS and at Goodfellow Farms. A flyer for this event is also attached. Thank you to Goodfellow Farms for hosting this fundraiser!

BHS Summer Camp registration has begun and places are already filling. Camp sessions begin June 25th and run weekly to August 3rd. The cost is $125.00 per week and includes a t-shirt. Children aged 6 - 12 are welcome. Please bring a snack and drink, and an old towel and leash if you have them. Treats for the animals are always welcome.

The dates have been confirmed for the 2012 Fine Image Summer Fun Photography Contest in aid of the BHS. The deadline for submissions is September 14th, 2012, so pull out your cameras and start taking those photos. There are a variety of categories, including Potcakes, Animals, Black & White, The Bond, Vacation, Underwater and Marvelous Faces. The entry fee is $10.00 and entries must be submitted as an 8x10 dry mount. Entry forms are available at the Shelter, at Graham Real Estate, at Windermere West, and at Fine Image (and attached to this email). Then, come out and join us at the Awards Cocktail Party on September 21st, 2012, to see who has won. Thank you to Fine Image Digital Photo Lab and Studio for sponsoring this event.