St. Croix ‘Animal Jam’ Raises Funds for Animal Welfare

One of my favorite things about St. Croix from day one has been the way that most people here truly treat their pets like a member of the family (as they should). Unfortunately, like many places worldwide, St. Croix has a problem with pet overpopulation – so, not all of our pets have a family. The good news is that we have five different organizations here on the island working hard every day to help care for and find homes for homeless pets, to educate people on the pet overpopulation issue, and to be advocates for animal rights and the humane treatment of animals. Here is a little bit of information about these organizations and how Animal Jam is helping to raise funds for these organizations:

St. Croix Animal Welfare Center: As the only animal shelter facility servicing St. Croix, SCAWC provides care to thousands of dogs and cats each year. They fulfill the Territory contract for animal control, and provide animal abuse response and investigation in collaboration with VIPD. They also adopt out hundreds of animals locally and off island via their transfer program ‘Pets from Paradise’. They strive to break the cycle of neglect and promote responsible pet ownership via their humane educational outreach to schools and adults. However, even with their government allotment they are grossly underfunded, and their nonprofit organization is in financial crisis.

Healing Paws Sanctuary: The HPS is being created to provide a safe place for homeless and unwanted animals whether they have been abandoned, neglected, abused or without a home. HPS will try to care for and heal them until they can find a ‘forever home’ for these animals.

Sunshine Foundation: The Sunshine Foundation is dedicated to ending pet overpopulation on St Croix by providing basic, high-volume/low-cost spay and neuter services to people and pets in need. At this time, their focus is on Feral Cats, and there goal is to encourage widespread community participation and a team effort in seeing this mission fulfilled.

Cruzan Cowgirls Horse Rescue: Cruzan Cowgirls intends to provide visitors to the island of St Croix with the unique and exciting experience of horseback riding in one of the most beautiful places in the world. It was created to generate income that will be used to benefit the homeless and abused horses on St Croix and as a platform to educate the public about the plight of these horses. All of our horses are rehabilitated rescues who are being given a second chance at a much better life where they are deeply loved by our family, our community and our visitors.

VI Humane Learning Center: The VI Humane Learning Center’s Humane Education team works hard to visit every school with different presentations for each grade that focus on responsible pet care, safety around animals, the importance of spay and neuter and the connection between animal cruelty and interpersonal violence. We use the care of animals and the understanding of animal needs to promote values of justice, kindness, and mercy, not only to animals, but to each other.

These organizations have all joined forces to raise funds in a truly Crucian way, by throwing a beach party! The Animal Jam is held at Rhythms at Rainbow Beach. This event offers live music all day long, games, family activities, water sports, raffles, a beach bar and, most importantly, showcases St. Croix’s animal welfare organizations and provide information to the public on how they can help! There is a SCAWC Doggie Parade, as well as information booths, and plenty of adoptable pets no doubt. The entry fee is only $10 per adult, $5 for children 12-17, and children under 12 are free! All proceeds from this event benefit animal welfare here on St. Croix.

Animal Jam is a fun day for the whole family, so attend this annual event and support these amazing animal welfare organizations and all the good work they do. All you have to do is come out to the Animal Jam and have some fun, hear some great live music, play with the pets, and learn how you can do your part to help the animals of St. Croix!

In addition to Animal Jam, here are a few ways you can help the animals here on St. Croix:

Spay/neuter your pets!
Adopt your next pet from The Pet Place
Donate to one of the island’s five animal welfare/rescue organizations. To make a donation now, please visit the Animal Jam donation page.
Volunteer your time to one of the animal welfare organizations
Foster a rescued animal
Sponsor a Pet from Paradise
Report animal neglect and abuse
Shop at the St. Croix Animal Welfare Fleamarket

– Jennie Ogden, Editor