Pedro's and SPAH raided by Immigration/Police/Customs

[BettyJ]

"God forbid we have lay people hacking on strays 'performing' spays and neuters (as current board member(s) who shall remain nameless at this time have done) as was done in the past when no vet practiced on the island and for whom SAGA did not pay a vet to perform."

I had no idea this had happened in the past, but perhaps this could be the reason that so many locals are reluctant to have their pets neutered, fearing that the dog will die from it...    I am sure things were very different then, but today we are fortunate to have options.

[stinkmeaner]

Disgusting, but certainly not surprising.  For a few hundred dollars, (as Peter knows) you can get anybody raided in Belize.  Good use of the official's time and resources  It certainly wreaks of collusion to me and all fingers point to SAGA.  Sure, I'll say it.  Sue me.  SAGA's overt silence and apparent clandestine efforts to derail SPAH are reaching the point of being despicable.  And to think.... this is what my past donations to SAGA may be now funding?

Laurie, it is my understanding that SPAH will be run as a purely *for profit* venture.  I agree with this strategy, but I think there are many people that will want to lend a hand.  Are you going to accept donations of cash, supplies, services a la SAGA?  If one were so motivated to support the island's animals in the future, they may be looking for a alternate outlet for their generosity.  Will you provide a public record of these donations and an accounting of their use?  Maybe a separate registered non-profit is in order to address this need?

[Lilith]

Looks like payback to me.

[peterbj7]

Charitable status has no great significance within Belize.  If you're concerned to get charitable status in the US I believe that's quite a lengthy and possibly costly exercise.  Not worth it for relatively minor sums, and difficult for SPAH as a commercial venture to achieve.  But if all you're really concerned about is independence and accountability, there are several professional people/offices here who would be glad to oblige.

[bethieb]

@BettyJ - i think the reluctance of some of the San Pedranas to 'fix' their pets is more likely that many see it as an 'unnecessary' medical procedure, instead of a long term solution to pet overpopulation leading to unwanted strays.   Colette's outreach has done a lot to change that, but it will be a slow process just like it was in the states (remember, until the 80's no one 'fixed' their dogs and cats on a mass scale).   

I am so sickened that SAGA would refer the people of SP to take their sick pets to Belize City or Corozol instead of to SPAH, which offers comparable rates and services.   The added expense, stress on the owner and pet, and unnecessary added risks of travel on a sick animal are just a few reasons SAGA's outrageous suggestion should be scrutinized by the donors, and we are many!   I can't believe they are such idiots to have that printed in the newspaper.   Power trips make for speedy crashes.

[caribbeantravel4]

Strange, very strange this whole sordid issue.   The SAGA board must be using the services of the same PR firm that Tiger Woods is using for damage control.  With all of the accusations flying around, some petty some major that involve the use of funds, one would think SAGA would want to make a public statement to clear up the matter.  Or, maybe it is just as has been stated and it as bad as has been opined in these threads.  Perhaps being tried in the court of public opinion is not ideal; however, one thing for sure, SAGA will have an impossible task of raising any future donations until the matter is cleared.  No donations, close the doors.  Perhaps the entire Board should offer their resignations and a new board elected, start the new year off on the right foot.  Seems the board should be an elected one and have as its' only goal supporting the welfare of the dogs and cats on the island.  By recommending that a local citizen, who can barely pay their electric or water bill, gather their sick pet and hop over to Belize City or Corozal for treatment borders on criminality at worst and total incompetence or lack of compassion at best.  I for one, know my family will direct our charitable funds elsewhere.  In the past we have contributed both financially to the general needs of the organization as well as  by bringing  strays in for spaying or neutering and then paying for that service.  Sad that it has come to this.

[JZB]

I have to say, all this SAGA bashing is getting really frikken old!  SAGA is being run the same way it has been run for years!  What has changed?  Why do they need to make a public statement to the few badmouthers on this forum?

When SAGA said to take your pets to the mainland for care, it was in a press release that was sent before the SPAH was even built and possibly before Laurie even went public that she was opening her own practice.  Wasn't it? Remember, just because you hear something on this board doesn't mean it is public information.  VERY FEW people on this island read this board.

I'll admit SAGA needs to get their sh!t together but the constant bitching on this board is not going to help SAGA and SPAH come together and work it out, quite the opposite.

[bethieb]

JZB - there is a difference in bashing something and discussing the reality of the situation.  SAGA is STILL not referring animals to the SPAH.  Look, we all have a great appreciation for what SAGA has done and can do.  Period.  My intention is to induce the current SAGA board to stop its ****ery and work to the best interest of the animals, or resign and have a new board elected if those particular individuals currently sitting cannot do the right thing.

[pedro]

Sean Keating told me last night that if the officers that came to Pedro's had found anything in Pedro's or if Laurie had not got a work permit -we would have been put in jail until tuesday-this would have had two results

1. Immediately we were released Laurie would have left the island and we would not have had a resident vet
2. I would have been severely pissed off-by the way I am really pissed off


The people who tried to put the vet(and me) in jail

Sharon from Lime -please send all your animals to Belize city
Collette from Outreach-I just want what is best for me-**** the animals-I control SAGA anyway because I am so intelligent
Lorie Purdy-I am the most honest realtor on the island and would never do drugs
Mary Hawthorn-I control the SAGA board
Katie Eggert-I just want to be in control and I never do drugs
Vally Ruddick-I am in charge of building and have never done a drug in my life
Rosa la Rosa-my husband is the best builder in the country and we never smoke anything-I will always pay his SAGA invoices

These people have no idea what the word charity means

JZB -it is funny really but I know you and your husband would have been the first to try and bail us out of jail

To the other three SAGA board members -you should resign or at some stage you will be unfortunately tarred with the same brush-I know Grant would have been down at the Police Station and would not have moved until we would have been released

[JZB]

JZB -it is funny really but I know you and your husband would have been the first to try and bail us out of jail

Or at least run down there to get some photos!

I support SPAH and I support SAGA.  If everyone's (SAGA, SPAH, and supporters of either) ultimate goal is animal welfare, then the bickering will need to stop, and someone will need to be the bigger 'man' and try to sooth the friction.  The average person, who really just wants the animals taken care of, will feel like they are getting caught in the middle of a turf battle and will not want to support either of you.

Ultimately I just want everyone to get along. But thats just me....

[Phil]

Stands and applauds.

[Phil]

We'd have bailed Laurie. Don't have enough for Pedro!!!!

[bethieb]

Agreed JZB.  I made the post below earlier under SAGA news and on the other board.  Amanda just posted that she believes SAGA referred a beach doggie to the hospital recently.  I am hoping this is the beginning of a functional relationship between the two entities for the sake of the animals.  

"In an effort to encourage peace and goodwill among all, I challenge the SAGA staff and Board of Directors to begin referring all medical cases, be they clients or sheltered animals, to the San Pedro Animal Hospital, until such time as SAGA acquires the services of another vet on the island.  There is no reason not to send the medical cases to a vet now that there is a nice medical facility on the island.

Perhaps this will be the start of the two organizations working in concert to better serve the animals of San Pedro, and will put an end to the acrimony and other nonsense so that we can all move on to being grateful for the services of both entities for the sake of the animals.

I will be posting a celebratory notice if and when the first animal is referred by SAGA to the vet, instead of being treated by non-vet personnel at SAGA or sent packing to the city or Corozol."

[pedro]

The beach dog was brought in treated by Laurie for free then she called SAGA and they came and picked up the dog-they did not offer to pay anything just looked around and said this place is nice and left-

[Sunshine]

JZB -it is funny really but I know you and your husband would have been the first to try and bail us out of jail

Or at least run down there to get some photos!

I support SPAH and I support SAGA.  If everyone's (SAGA, SPAH, and supporters of either) ultimate goal is animal welfare, then the bickering will need to stop, and someone will need to be the bigger 'man' and try to sooth the friction.  The average person, who really just wants the animals taken care of, will feel like they are getting caught in the middle of a turf battle and will not want to support either of you.

Ultimately I just want everyone to get along. But thats just me....

JZB - I am with you on this one.  It was one thing to objectively discuss the pros and cons of Saga and SPAH and to openly and willingly support each organization - but now that there have been personal names  and mud slinging thrown into the mix - I no longer wish to make any comments as WE, the average member of the public are being thrown into the middle of an infantile game that can have severe repercussions on our personal lives, businesses, reputations and basic sensibilities. I am not going to be forced to choose allegiances in a matter that involves the health and welfare of my pets.  

Let's start this year on the right foot.