From Left: Watoya Guishard, Customer Service Representative; Natasha Ruscheinski, Chairperson and Founder of PAW; Shaquilla K. Smith, Assistant Manager for Customer Service; and Stacey Roberts, Assistant Manager for Sales & Retention. Photo: Provided

“We are delighted to assist the valuable work PAW has undertaken in the Territory for our animals through its many volunteers and supporters who give of their time and resources,” said Shaquilla K. Smith, NAGICO’s Assistant Manager, Customer Service Department.

Smith added, “NAGICO’s commitment and support for animals goes back many years. Safeguarding animals and the protection of the environment are important to us as a company even as we continue to provide financial support and other forms of assistance for educational projects, youth development, sports and cultural upliftment.”

As part of their efforts, PAW has entered into a partnership with Diamond Estate Kennels and Cattery (DEKC) and for the first time will have a home for a Rehab and Recovery Centre (R&R).

According to Natasha Ruscheinski, Chairperson and Founder of PAW, the new section will be properly equipped and segregated within the building, giving PAW BVI a rehab/recovery facility and ‘halfway house’ to support the amazing work that were previously carried out by fosterers in their own homes.

“Our area will be developed into a safe and secure centre where specialist care and animal isolation capabilities can expand our capacity to hold dogs and cats, puppies and kittens until they are moved into foster care, adoptive homes or flown to their new lives overseas,” said Ruscheinski.

She added, “In order to keep our R&R centre as sanitary as possible, the bedding which are sheets, towels and such, need to be cleaned on a regular basis. With puppies for example, this could be a couple of loads a day, per litter. This will be so much easier now that we have our wonderful NAGICO washer and dryer. This will make a huge difference to us and we are beyond grateful.”

PAW BVI is not opening a shelter, but the animals' stay at the centre will be as short as possible and their focus will continue to be on placing as many in foster homes as possible, as soon as they are well enough.

PAW was established with the aim of reducing the number of abandoned, homeless and unwanted animals in the VI. The NGO was established with four main strands that includes a spay/neuter programme to prevent animal overpopulation; food donation to homes with a large number of animals; surgery sponsorship that sees negotiate discounted rates for surgery; and fostering animal placement through partnerships with numerous animal rescues in the United States.

All services offered by PAW are free to all users and are funded entirely by private donations and fundraisers. PAW relies entirely on the help of volunteers.