ST THOMAS — Since its inception in 1957, The Humane Society of St. Thomas (HSST) has been sheltering abandoned animals, fighting cruelty, animal neglect and working to create an environment of respect, responsibility and compassion for all animals throughout the territory. Each year, this non-for profit accepts thousands of homeless animals while providing humane education for children and offering low cost spay/neuter certificates. Additionally, they provide animal control services including animal cruelty investigations. Achieving these goals is no easy feat. Financing and finding forever homes for the over 2000 animals who annually pass through their shelter doors has been a constant struggle, but the mission of HSSTT has remained the same:
- Maintain a shelter to care for all stray and abandoned animals.
- Aid the VI Government in animal regulatory control programs.
- Educate the community on the humane treatment of animals and the benefits of spaying and neutering to end overpopulation.
Through several programs and initiatives, HSST can support the St. Thomas animal community at their newest shelter located off the Weymouth Rhymer Highway across from Market Square. Opened in 2012 thanks to a generous land donation and significant financial assistance from a local philanthropist, the state-of-the-art facility currently houses over 200 animals. The Paws to Care Thrift store is an initiative that provides funding from the sale of recycled goods, for the support and care of the animals transitioning and resident through the shelter. They sell everything needed for your home, hobbies and outdoor activities, including a bookstore and a clothing boutique. Services provided by HSST include Pets with Wings, Spay & Neuter, Paws to Adventure Field Trips and Trap-Neuter- Return (TNR). THE TNR program helps in stabilizing feral cat colonies and having healthy vaccinated cats within the island. Various events and fundraising activities assist HSST in raising the funds needed to support the organization’s mission which include their Tails & Mimosa Happy Hour, holiday brunch events, mystery chef dinners, feline adoption fests and much more.
To learn about The Humane Society of St. Thomas, visit their website at humanesocietystthomas.org. Volunteer opportunities, fundraiser events and pet care advice can be found on their website. HSST is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
Written by Anquanette Gaspard agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com
Recent Comments