Dogs and Cats of Antigua Inc. (DACOA) has been awardedreceived a US$50,000 grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Program (SGP), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDPGEF Small Grants Program, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme), to create Antigua and Barbuda’s first Community Dog Park at its Rescue and Wellness Sanctuary in Sea View Farm.
The project will transform part of the Rescue and Wellness Sanctuary into a new green space where people and dogs can come together. It will also introduce a series of environmental initiatives including rainwater harvesting and irrigation, tree planting with students from four local schools and pilot dog waste composting.
Joy Farrell, President of Dogs and Cats of Antigua, said: “We are thrilled and honoured to receive this grant. It gives us an incredible opportunity to create something that benefits people, animals and the environment.
“We will be able to harvest and conserve water, create a future food and income source from the fruit trees and pilot the composting of dog waste rather than sending it to landfill. We are excited to see more interaction with the local schools so young people can learn about environmental sustainability and animal welfare.
“Our goal is to create a sanctuary that raises the bar for animal welfare in the Caribbean and demonstrates how animal welfare and environmental sustainability can and should coexist.”
Natalya Lawrence, National Coordinator, GEF Small Grants Program in Antigua and Barbuda, said: “The GEF Small Grants Program at and UNDP is is pleased to support Dogs and Cats of Antigua in delivering this innovative green space for Antigua and Barbuda. The Community Dog Park brings together environmental action, youth participation, water conservation, waste management and community wellbeing along with animal welfare demonstrating how local action can find and create practical solutions with lasting environmental and social benefits.
“Through GEF SGP’s Operational Phase 8 (OP8), community-based organizations, NGOs and civil society groups across Antigua and Barbuda can access grant funding to implement innovative projects that generate environmental benefits while strengthening livelihoods and community resilience. We encourage interested groups with strong ideas for local environmental action to engage with the programme coordinator via email or phone and explore funding opportunities.”
The GEF Small Grants Program finances community-led initiatives that address global environmental and sustainable development challenges such as biodiversity, climate change, land degradation, sustainable forest management, international waters, and chemicals and waste.Since its establishment in Antigua and Barbuda, the GEF Small Grants Programme has supported over 70 community-led projects across the country, providing grant financing to civil society organisations working in areas such as biodiversity conservation, sustainable land management, climate resilience, waste management and environmental education. The programme has directly benefited communities nationwide by strengthening local capacity, creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and supporting practical solutions to environmental challenges.
Dogs and Cats of Antigua Inc. is a registered non-profit organisation working to improve animal welfare in Antigua and Barbuda since 2015. DACOA’s vision is an Antigua and Barbuda where starving and diseased stray dogs and cats are no longer the norm, animals are healthy, loved and wanted, and population growth is responsibly controlled. An island that is truly a paradise for all Gods’ creatures.
DACOA manages a Rescue and Wellness Sanctuary for 150+ dogs, feeds 1,200 dogs weekly and provides veterinary support, rehabilitation and rehoming for vulnerable dogs and cats. More than 7,000 dogs and cats have been rehomed locally and internationally since 2015.
The organisation’s long-term goal is to develop the sanctuary into a self-sustaining, environmentally responsible destination, a lush green space for animals and people to enjoy together. DACOA has already planted more than 500 indigenous fruit and flowering trees, created ponds and a dog-walking circuit.
Hundreds of visitors are welcomed at the sanctuary each year to walk and socialise dogs, volunteer and experience its work firsthand. The Community Dog Park will build on this foundation, creating a permanent community asset that connects animal welfare, environmental sustainability, education and community.
Dogs and Cats of Antigua Inc. has operated in Antigua and Barbuda since 2015 and is a registered non-profit animal welfare organisation.
The GEF Small Grants Program, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), supports community-led environmental initiatives around the world. It provides financial and technical support to civil society and community-based organisations to develop innovative local solutions to global environmental challenges that benefit youth, women, people with disabilities and indigenous people.By partnering with civil society and community-based organizations, with special consideration for Indigenous Peoples, women, youth, and persons with disabilities, SGP demonstrates that local action can deliver global environmental benefits. Guided by the principles of innovation, inclusion, and impact, SGP supports solutions that promote integrated landscape and seascape approaches to address challenges related to biodiversity loss, climate change, land degradation, chemicals and waste, and international waters, while contributing to resilient communities and sustainable development.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Dogs And Cats Of Antigua Wins US$50,000 GEF Funding For Community Dog Park.