Early Animal Protection
Formation of the S.P.C.A. From an article “It So Happened” with Warren Alleyne
It was in 1838 that Barbados first took initiative towards animal protection when a law was enacted “to prevent the cruel and improper treatment of cattle”. However, nothing was done with regard to other animals until 1875, when, on August 8, a public meeting chaired by the Governor, Sir W. Rawson, was held in the Legislative Council Chamber with the object of forming a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals generally. The following month, a constitution was adopted, and a standing committee elected with Bishop Mitchinson as President and the Rev. Its annual membership subscription of £5 proved too high, and by 1880 the Society had become moribund. Apparently, only the Secretary, the Rev. Edghill, remained active, and when he died in 1897 the society died with him. In 1903, the Legislature at last found it necessary to reintroduce legislation against cruelty to animals which, so far, is still in force. Formation of the Barbados SPCA. This Society was founded “again” in July 1905 at the instance of Mrs. Dickson, wife of Commander of H M Forces, Major General E T Dickson. The preliminary meeting took place at Queen’s House on July 5, 1905. At this meeting a subscription list was opened and donations were received. A provisional list of officers and a committee was then arranged. A public meeting was called to explain the aims and objects of the society. This meeting was convened at the Wilhelmina Hall. First Officers and Committee Members -
Patron - His Excellency the Governor Sir Gilbert Carter and Lady Carter. President - His Lordship The Bishop William Proctor Swaby. Vice Presidents - Hon: S W Knaggs,
Hon: W H Stoker, Q.C.,
Hon: Sir Daniel Morris, K.C. M.G.,
Hon: G Aubrey Goodman, Esq. M.C.P.,
Hon: Secretary Mr. C E Yearwood, Esq.,
Hon: Treasurer Mr. E M Sanderson, Esq.,
Executive Committee -
President - Sir Daniel Morris, K.C. M.G.,
Mr. J R Bovell, Esq., Mr. G B R Burton, Esq., Revd. T Gardner,
Mr. H L Johnson, Esq., Mr. E T Racker, Esq., Mr. A S C***s, Esq.,
Dr. Wolseley, Revd. W G Murray, Mrs. E H Bannister,
Lady Morris, Miss. F Burton, Mrs. G A Goodman,
Mrs. R R Hall, Miss. A A James,
General Committee -
The Very Revd: The Deane B A Berkeley,
Mr J R Bovell, Esq., Prof. J P D’Albuquerque, Mr. H L Johnson, Esq.,
Mr. G B R Burton, Esq., Mr. Josiah Drayton, Esq., Capt: Owen,
Mr. A Cameron, Esq., Mr. O DeC Emtage, Esq., Mr. E T Racker, Esq.,
Mr. A S C***s, Esq., Mr. V Gale, Esq., Dr. Wolseley,
Lady Morris, Mr. R R Hall, Esq., Mrs. Swaby,
Mrs. E H Bannister, Mrs. S W Knaggs, Miss M S Arnold,
Mrs. W K Chandler, Mrs. W L Phillips, Miss F Burton,
Mrs. J P D’Albuquerque, Mrs. R B Roden, Miss L B Carter,
Mrs. G A Goodman, Mrs. Stoker, Miss A A James,
Ministers of all Religious Denominations
Monthly Meetings and Annual General Meetings were held in Legislative Council Chambers.
