19/08/2026
The Animals 360 Foundation stands firmly with the TTSPCA and AWN on this. NGO's may step up to provide necessary services that the Government can't or doesn't want to but the Government remains responsible for passing legislation that protects the good and necessary work of the NGO's to move the country forward. Otherwise NGO's are just wasting their time and must question if their efforts and finances are justified or may be better invested elsewhere. For too long the Government has turned a blind eye on animal welfare. It is time that they enforce the laws that are already enacted and legislate the additional laws that are required. ENOUGH TALK!
JOINT STATEMENT FROM THE TTSPCA AND ANIMAL WELFARE NETWORK ON RECENT REPORTS OF ANIMAL CRUELTY
HOW MANY MORE ANIMALS MUST SUFFER?
The recent cases of a puppy being beaten to death and a person deliberately running over a dog are horrifying reminders of the animal cruelty crisis in Trinidad & Tobago.
These are not simply “sad stories.” They are acts of cruelty, and those responsible must be held accountable.
The TTSPCA and Animal Welfare Network (AWN) are overwhelmed with calls involving animals that have been abused, neglected, abandoned, poisoned, injured and deliberately harmed.
One recent cruelty case handled by the TTSPCA has already cost over $8,000 in veterinary medical care at a private clinic. This is just one of many cases where the TTSPCA and AWN have stepped in and covered the costs of veterinary treatment, rehabilitation, housing, and care.
The financial impact has been devastating. Funds that should have been available to maintain our Shelter operations and continue spay programs that are essential to reducing the number of unwanted and roaming animals have had to be diverted to emergency cruelty cases.
WE NEED THE AUTHORITIES TO DO WHAT THEY ARE MANDATED TO DO.
We need Government agencies responsible for animal welfare to ensure that the legal framework is in place, and the public are fully informed of the consequences of breaches of the law.
The police have powers of enforcement in animal cruelty cases. Charges must be laid against those who commit acts of cruelty and neglect. We need a properly resourced and effective supporting structure for dealing with animal cruelty, including an appropriate unit or mechanism to investigate and follow through on these cases.
The TTSPCA, AWN and other rescue organisations cannot continue to be the emergency response system for abandoned, injured or abused animals in the country.
STRAY ANIMAL CONTROL CANNOT BE IGNORED
The authorities responsible for the control of stray and roaming animals have a duty to address this situation. The system has not operated in any meaningful or effective way for years, leaving communities to deal with problems related to the presence of stray animals, and animals vulnerable to abuse, poisoning, injury and neglect.
There must be a national, humane and sustainable approach to animal population management, one that includes the elements of responsible ownership, including registration, accessible and affordable sterilization, supported by education and enforcement.
WE NEED GOVERNMENT FACILITIES THAT OPERATE HUMANELY
Trinidad and Tobago needs adequately resourced, humanely run Government facilities where unwanted, abandoned and stray animals can be accepted and cared for. These facilities must provide appropriate housing, food, veterinary oversight, and responsible rehoming where possible.
For far too long, the burden of dealing with unwanted and stray animals has fallen on animal welfare organisations and private individuals. A situation that is simply not sustainable.
WE ARE CALLING FOR ACTION - NOW.
We are calling on Government to:
• Implement and enforce existing animal welfare legislation and regulations.
• Establish the necessary mechanisms to properly investigate and prosecute animal cruelty offences.
• Ensure that those responsible for deliberate acts of cruelty face the consequences provided for under the law.
• Develop a comprehensive and humane national dog population management program.
• Establish humane Government facilities to receive unwanted, abandoned and stray animals.
• Restart and properly resource effective stray animal control programs.
• Implement responsible ownership measures, including registration and sterilisation.
• Provide the resources necessary for Government agencies to fulfil their responsibilities.
It seems that animal welfare isn't even on the back burner. Meanwhile, animals continue to suffer.
We cannot continue to depend on the TTSPCA, AWN and other NGO’s to pick up the pieces.
We are asking the people of Trinidad and Tobago to speak up. Ask your elected representatives why existing animal welfare laws are not being properly enforced and what is being done about stray and roaming animals.
Demand that acts of cruelty are investigated and that charges are laid where the evidence supports them.
Animals cannot speak for themselves, but we can speak for them. Help us speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
