How? By asking friends, family, and co-workers to give a few dollars to watch her do something terrifying; skydive out of a plane! Everyone she asked was happy to give and encourage her to try something new. In the process learning how their donation would help provide food, shelter, sterilization procedures and medical care to the homeless cats of Caye Caulker.

On November 5, Megan bravely flew out of a little plane and successfully glided to the ground. The total raised was $965 USD!!! Thanks to the generosity of all who donated the cats will have a much Merrier Christmas this year!

Megan hopes that her efforts will inspire others to think of creative ways to raise funds for the animals of P.A.W. Sanctuary as well!

Madi Collins founder of C.A.A.T.S. takes her work across the border to help so many unwanted castaways.  In keeping with C.A.A.T.S. mission to control animal population, Ms. Collins has opened their first low cost sterilization clinic in the city of Chetumal, Quintanaroo Mexico.  This clinic is a prototype and its a grass roots project which C.A.A.T.S. plans to implement in many locations throughout Belize & Chetumal, Mexico.  Her project was inaugurated in May, 2011 by the Mayor of Chetumal, Mexico.  So far this work is funded solely through C.A.A.T.S. fundraising team.  We are in dire need of assistance from vets  overseas to continue this wonderful project to help so many animals.  We welcome any vets who want to help.  If you would like to participate in one of our massive spay clinics, donate much  needed vet equipment/material or  cash, please email us at caatsinfo@yahoo.com for more information.

Blacky now named Mateo was found on Caye Caulker with a chain & padlocked embedded in his skin.  His foster mom Veli cared for him and treated the severe wounds for several weeks while we looked for an adoptive home.  We are so happy that after weeks of looking my wonderful friend Vicky took him under her wings escorted him to the U.S. and placed him in a wonderful foster home with one of the greatest foster moms.  We are so greatful that Mateo got a second chance at life because he deserves a little bit of happiness after all he has been through.  Mateo is lucky to have found wonderful people who looked out for his well being and worked together for his full recovery.  Thank you Veli, Vicky, Jess .  You guys rock!

Check out the link below to Mateo’s Journey to the United States.http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150368188479078.371748.71049854077&type=3

The owners of animals roaming the streets are at fault and  should be held accountable.  Its wrong to punish an animal that has no fault what so ever and is only roaming to find food because they are hungry.

PAW believes that we all have created this stray dog problem through lack of foresight and responsibility so we should come together to find a better solution.

The eradication via euthanasia of any sort does not work, if it did, we would no longer be seeing dogs on the street the day after an eradication as is the current case here where the Caye Caulker Humane Society & the Caye Caulker Village Council came together to euthanize animals.  This is concrete proof that this sort of so called population control DOES NOT WORK.

The following long term sustainable solution is PAWS proposal and we believe that Caye Caulker is small enough that results could be achieved and we will see positive impact. It has worked in many large metropolitan cities in the United States and Europe.   We hope that the Caye Caulker Village Council can implement all or any of the suggestions below because we are certain that it would have a far better impact on the current situation.

Proposal

1. Find homes for the stray dogs – PAW has taken this step and found homes in Canada for a couple of dogs prior to the eradication. Every animal deserves a chance.

2. Mandatory Micro- Chipping of pets – P.A.W. has offered to donate micro-chips.  We are only waiting on the Village Council Chairman to tell us he wants them. This will enforce accountability on owners. Owners can no longer say that a dog does not belong to them. If animal are found roaming owners will be held liable and be charge a fee.

Please be aware that we are not microchipping animals so owners can find them if they are lost or they move.  This is only being done to help the Caye Caulker Village Council locally to identify ownership and hold owners accountable for their pets.
3. Mandatory Licensing/registration- Again this will also enforce accountability. Owners cannot lie about ownership .

To license dogs owners must pay a fee which will include a picture ID, micro-chip & sterilization and must meet age criteria since many youngsters are not responsible pet owners put their dogs to fight with other dogs and these dogs end up on the streets once the owner begins to neglect the dog.

In addition, there must be a minimum of one pet per household. Many people cannot afford to have more than one dog and only want them when they are cute puppies but as they age these dogs end up on the street.

We also proposed a special license for individuals who want to breed their animals however these individuals must meet certain criteria regarding the welfare of the animal.

We recommend that licensing fees go to a humane education program or funding for low cost sterilization.

4. Mandatory Sterilization of pets – Studies show that un-sterilized dogs are more likely to stray and attract packs which can become unsafe for people. Furthermore this is the only way to humanely & efficiently control animal population. Statistics show that one un-sterilized female dog & off spring produces 67,000 puppies in 6 years.

The ideas behind this proposition is to foremost promote the health, safety and general welfare of the residents of this island by reducing the number of stray dogs and cats by responsibly and humanely eliminating the excessive numbers of unwanted animals on the island of Caye Caulker & foremost keeping animals healthy & safe.

These ideas will stop the needless killing of these animals be it by poisoning or lethal injection by restricting the breeding practices of pet owners and breeders and enforcing responsible pet care and ownership through legislation that is both reasonable and enforceable.

Basically, the rationale behind PAWS proposition is if you don’t take part to help better the situation with the stray dog situation and overpopulation of animals on Caye Caulker then you should not be allowed to contribute to the problem either.
The ideas behind our proposal are based on statistics compiled by our volunteers & members of PAW visiting homes and observing pet owners first hand. We hope that PAWS proposal can help in some way and that it may be implemented.

This Christmas was a very sad one for my family and I since my beloved oldest sister passed suddenly about a month ago.  The last thing i wanted to do was celebrate, but suddenly a few days before Christmas I had a thought to remember my sister who loved children very much by giving a Christmas party for the children of Caye Caulker Island in her memory.  So I immediately called a friend from Mexico who happened to be coming to Caye Caulker, to bring me a few piniatas and lots of candy.  Then I went to a couple of our usual supporters to help me out with donations and at least two helped  which was wonderful.  I also asked a friend who was visiting us from Canada to dress up like Santa Paws and he accepted.  The kids had a blast and the adults as well as our Santa Paws went on a golf cart all over the island Ho Ho Howing the kids to the party’s location.  Refreshments were served to the kids who had a wonderful time hitting the piniatas, playing games and before they went home we sent them happily with a little Christmas bag of goodies filled with snacks, drinks, and toys.    We know that my sister was watching the kids having fun and smiling.  Celi my beloved sister you will live in our hearts forever.  We love you!

Many thanks to Mr. Chan, Ms. Pou and Mr. Salinas for their kind donations and to Ms. Young for helping us at the party and lending us her Santa Costume and boom box.    We really appreciate your kind assistance.

Madi Collins

Dear friends, please go to the link below and sign our petition to tell the prime minister of Belize absolutely NO drilling in the waters of Belize, we do NOT need another catastrophe like the Golf of Mexico.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/531/997/953P