Naturewatch grant to support abandoned and displaced animals
Both organisations work with abandoned or displaced dogs.
Naturewatch Foundation has revealed that its 2024 World Animal Day Grant will be shared between two organisations in Barbados and Sudan.
Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary in Barbados and the Sudanese Animal Care and Environmental Protection Organisation in Sudan will each receive a share of the annual grant for their work with abandoned and displaced animals respectively.
The majority of the grant, £8,718, has been awarded to Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary. Located in St. John, Barbados, the organisation works to rescue and rehome abused and abandoned animals.
Naturewatch’s grant will help fund the sanctuary’s monthly spay and neuter sessions, as well as supporting them with caring for injured and neglected animals until they are ready for adoption.
It will also support Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary’s outreach and education programme. The organisation hosts workshops and educational sessions to promote responsible animal care.
Karen Whittaker, founder of Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary, said: “Our ongoing mission is to enhance the wellbeing of abandoned, neglected, and stray dogs and cats in Barbados. Receiving recognition from the World Animal Day HQ is truly heartening and this grant will greatly bolster our initiatives to create a positive impact on the community.”
A smaller grant of £1,500 has also been awarded to the Sudanese Animal Care and Environmental Protection Organisation.
Amid an ongoing civil war, the Sudanese Animal Care and Environmental Protection Organisation has been providing essential vaccinations to vulnerable donkeys, horses and dogs which have been displaced by the conflict.
It also leads education programmes, providing animal carers with the knowledge they need to improve their animal care.
The work of the organisation was promoted by Mustafa Bakrawi, World Animal Day ambassador in Sudan. Mr Bakrawi highlighted the worsening conditions for animals and the project’s goal to alleviate this suffering.
Sarah Carr, CEO of Naturewatch Foundation, said: “The difficult decision to pick just a couple of winners reflects the strength of the applications received and therefore the need for financial support for animals globally.
“We are very grateful to be able to offer the World Animal Day grant to bolster important work and to our supporters who make this possible.”
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