BTB Honors Tourism Industry Partners at the Twelfth Annual Tourism Awards Ceremony

Monday, May 20, 2013-  On Saturday, May 18th, over two hundred and thirty guests, including industry stakeholders and government officials, gathered at Bannister Caye to honor the recipients of the 12th Annual National Tourism Awards.  

Over twelve years ago, the BTB had a vision to recognize organizations and industry partners for their dedicated and outstanding service to Belize's tourism industry. The BTB is proud to say that the awards have certainly evolved from being just a statement of excellence, into a way to promote creativity and to help establish a benchmark for best practices in the industry. Director of Tourism, Laura Esquivel-Frampton said, "A heartfelt congratulations to all the nominees and winners. Your work is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire tourism industry in Belize." The Belize Tourism Board is pleased to congratulate the winners in the following categories:

• Destination of the Year: Placencia- A destination that is proactive in its marketing initiatives and product enhancement. It also seeks to develop local tourism businesses for the development of the destination. The Destination of the Year encourages the local community's participation, promotes sustainability, executes events that highlight local culture and promotes tourist attractions.

• Hotel of the Year: San Ignacio Resort Hotel- A licensed hotel where service exceeds excellence; where positive attitude and attentiveness of staff are the norm. The hotel of the year offers exceptional value for money and is equipped with modern facilities and amenities. Its ambience gives visitors an authentic Belize 'feel'. This hotel has, over the years, demonstrated its willingness to adapt to the demands of its patrons, yet remain true to its core values. One of its hallmarks is the adoption of green initiatives.

• Small Hotel of the Year: Singing Sands Inn- A licensed small hotel that captures the essence of warmth and authenticity through its accommodations. This property displays commitment to excellence in customer service, operational standards and is keen on improving and developing its products and services, including capacity building. Importantly, for this small hotel of the year, eco-consciousness and sustainability are equally important to guests' experience.

• Frontline Person of the Year: Natalie Ranguy of Chabil Mar Villas- A frontline employee who has great interpersonal skills, welcomes guests with outstanding Belizean hospitality, is knowledgeable about Belize, and goes above and beyond the everyday duties and responsibilities to ensure that guests' needs are fulfilled. This individual makes an impressive first and last impression of her work place.
• Tour Guide of the Year: Jerome Williams of Huracan Diving- A licensed tour guide who is knowledgeable about Belize, including, but not limited to, the history, natural attractions and local tours. This guide has excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a positive attitude, and great planning and leadership abilities. The tour guide ensures that guests have an unforgettable experience without compromising safety and security.
• Tour Operator of the Year: Splash Dive Center- A licensed tour operator that excels in customer service, creativity, and personalization, while offering a variety of tours. This tour operator sets the bar for marketing initiatives, meeting the standards of safety and security, equipment quality, cleanliness and reliability. This awardee ensures that visitors have a memorable and enriching experience, therefore, leaving guests with a great lasting impression of Belize.
• Hospitality Award: Placencia Tourism Center- A tourism ancillary organization that offers exceptional customer service, manages the business seamlessly, is sensitive to the needs of staff, flexible in adapting to change and accommodating to the industry's needs. Regardless of the availability of resources, this entity is always looking for innovative ways to promote Belize through its hospitality services.

• Major Festival & Event: Placencia Lobster Fest- A hallmark festival/event that promotes income generating activities, stimulates local and international travel, attracts national & international media coverage, and positively promotes the destination.

• Restaurant of the Year: Maya Beach Bistro- A restaurant that offers more than just really good food, but an overall dining experience. The restaurant's ambiance, coupled with a menu of creative concoctions and excellent customer service, creates its own distinctive character. The use of local products and importance of food safety and hygiene, sell the Belize brand from appetizer to dessert.

Minister of Tourism & Culture, Hon. Manuel Heredia, presented two special awards for the night. The Minister's Award was bestowed on David Heredia, owner of Anchorage Hotel in Caye Caulker, for his work and interest in the tourism industry which are grounded in community improvement and activism. The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Jessie Young, President of the Community Baboon Sanctuary Women's Group in Bermudian Landing, for dedicating her life to grow and develop Belize's tourism industry.  This awardee's contributions are significant and have positively impacted Belize and the lives of countless Belizeans. Despite challenges, this tourism industry lifetime achiever persevered.

Guests, donned in all-white, at the 12th National Tourism Awards were treated to food by Chef Sean Kuylen, and entertained by Pan Tempters Steel Pan, Tanya Carter and Aurelio Martinez. The event was hosted by Indira Craig & William Neal.

The Minister of Tourism & Culture, Board of Directors, Management & Staff of the Belize Tourism Board salute all winners on their outstanding achievements!

For more information, visit www.travelbelize.org.

For More Photos of the event CLICK HERE

Real Estate Hot Spot in Central America and the Caribbean

There is a small Central American Nation that has a lot in common with the Caribbean, and is certainly a new hot spot. It has certainly been making headlines around the world in travel articles. So many people from all over the world primarily Canada, United States, Europe and the UK are choosing to purchase a retirement home, second home or invest in property in this small nation.

One of the reasons so many choose this country is because it's the only English speaking Central American country, which makes communicating with the locals easy and also facilitates your move. If you are wondering which country we are talking about you have to wait no longer. This country with so much beauty packed within its borders is most certainly, Belize.

Belize offers a diverse landscape. If you are looking for beachfront properties, private islands, farm lands or a secluded jungle home in the rainforests or mountains, look no further than Belize. You can choose to live in the city or in the rural areas. You will find that the real estate prices vary depending on the area that you choose. You will find that the prices in Belize City, Consejo Shores, San Pedro - Ambergris Caye and Placencia are generally higher than those in the rural areas of Belize.

The world's economy has certainly affected Belize, and since the start of the economic downturn, Belize has seen  as much as 30-35% depreciation in real estate values in some areas. This makes Belize the real hot spot of Central America and the Caribbean when it comes to purchasing real estate. It has become a real buyer's market with prices certainly being negotiable. We have seen rare discounts by as much as 50% on some land and homes. Comparing Belize's prices to that of the United States or Europe, Belize prices are still relatively low. Therefore, Belize is an excellent location for investment.

The Government of Belize as Well as the Belize Tourism Board has been promoting Belize, not only as a vacation destination, but offering Belize as Retirement Destination for expats to purchase a primary residence, second home or vacation home. For those that will be retiring in Belize, they can certainly take advantage of the Qualified Retirement Programme (QRP Program) which offers tax benefits to retirees.

If you are considering making the move to Belize or investing in real estate in this small Central American and Caribbean nation be sure to do all the necessary research or talk to a Belize Relocation Consultant about areas that would be most desirable to you.

Sharks in the sunshine in Belize

Jeffrey Simpson

The Toronto Star

Published On Wed May 18 2011



Dimas Mejia feeds fish heads to some sharks
while leading tourists on a snorkeling expedition to Shark-Ray Alley
off Ambergris Caye in Belize. - Jeffrey Simpson/for the toronto star



SAN PEDRO, BELIZE—I’m standing on the edge of a boat peering uneasily into an ocean that’s swirling with sharks, mentally preparing myself to jump overboard.

Dimas Mejia, who’s leading this excursion to the appropriately named Shark-Ray Alley, is attempting to reassure his uncertain passengers this is a perfectly safe spot for snorkelling.

“It’s all right,” Mejia, 23, says. “I carry a life-ring with me.”

But drowning is the least of my worries as I watch five sharks that are about my size going after the fish-heads he’s tossing into the waves. Fortunately these are nurse sharks; despite their disconcerting resemblance to Jaws they’re usually harmless to humans.

“Just don’t stick your hand in their mouths because they’ll suck it right in,” Mejia says.

With that in mind I pull on flippers, grab a face-mask and plunge into the impossibly turquoise waters of the Caribbean, trying all the while to keep my hands as close as possible to myself.

Travelling a bit farther south than Mexico’s Mayan Riveria brings you to this sun-splashed holiday haven in Belize. I’m staying in the town of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, a 40-kilometre-long island 45 minutes by water taxi from Belize City on the mainland. The narrow spit of land is an idyllic tropical paradise, with a sandy white beach stretching along a coast studded with palm trees.

It may be part of Central America, but the vibe is classic Caribbean with Jimmy Buffet and reggae music drifting on the tropical breeze from the pastel-coloured beachfront bars.

Ambergris is developed to a certain extent, but its hotels are small and the attitude is laid-back. Shoes and shirts are optional. Most people get around using golf carts or bicycles and there’s only one paved road. There are the creature comforts a vacationer might crave, without the raucous crowds of Cancun.

Canadians will feel right at home in the former British colony — and not just because there’s a bar called Crazy Canucks. English is the official language and the Queen even adorns the Belizean dollar.

The country’s main attraction is just offshore — the stellar snorkelling and scuba diving around Belize’s barrier reef, which at 300 kilometres in length is the second largest in the world after Australia’s. The coral reef system is home to a diverse ecosystem of plants and animals that lurk in the underwater caves and among the atolls.

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve, of which Shark-Ray Alley is a part, is about a 20-minute boat ride away.

I flutter along near the surface looking down at underwater canyons that run to a depth of 25 metres. The water is so clear the sun shines through unimpeded, allowing for fantastic views of schools of iridescent tropical fish that dart here and there.

A stingray gently flaps its broad wings on one side of me while a green turtle paddles along on the other.

Mejia dives deeper to point out creatures of interest along the seabed, such as a moray eel that pokes its head indignantly out of a crevice in the rocks, chomping on one of his flippers.

“They can bite your hand off,” he tells me later, showing me a scar where one had apparently tried.

There are stunningly beautiful creatures such as the pinkish-hued hogfish. Then there are astonishingly odd-looking ones such as the porcupine puffer fish, which inflates to twice its size like a beachball studded with spikes.

The reef runs about a kilometre from the coast of Ambergris and blocks the heavier surf from striking the caye. The water inside the reef is shallow and calm, allowing for that beautiful bluish-green tint that puts you at ease while sipping a pina colada on shore, smugly thinking about the North American winter you’re missing.

That’s exactly what Ken Timmons has in mind as he takes a break from blustery Chicago
.
“I didn’t know where Belize was,” admits Timmons, 52, while recounting how a former colleague had piqued his interest in the country.

But he found it had an inviting atmosphere that offered something different than other better-known vacation spots.

“It’s a little more laid back maybe than Mexico,” he says. “Kind of a less touristy place to come than Cancun. It’s still got a little bit of a local flavour that’s not ruined by cruise ships.”

Asked how he’s spending his time on the caye, he glances at his girlfriend Donna Engelhard and grins.

“I’m not sure your readers really want to know that,” he says, breaking into laughter before quickly adding, “Actually we’ve been bike-riding a lot.”

Ambergris does provide a perfect backdrop for romance. After a beautiful Caribbean sunset, the soft lights flicker on at restaurant patios, providing al fresco dining to the sound of waves lapping the nearby shore and the wind caressing the palm trees.

Naturally, the specialty is seafood and one of the best places is a slightly upscale yet relaxed restaurant called Mango’s, where a mouth-watering starter of coconut shrimp has me wanting to order it again for my main.

There’s also a lot of good eating available on a smaller budget, from simple taco shacks to papusa joints offering the Salvadoran dish of corn tortillas filled with cheese, beans, chicken or seafood topped with salsa and slaw. They’re best washed down with the local Belikan beer. For further drinking, San Pedro’s nightlife booms until dawn, attracting locals, ex-pats and tourists.

No need to worry about sleeping, since there will be ample time to doze under the sun during lazy afternoons. And there’s no better feeling than waking up to another day in paradise.

Jeffrey Simpson is a Canadian journalist who lives in London, England

“Brandi Mermaid, The First Real Mermaid of Belize”

“Brandi Mermaid, The First Real Mermaid of Belize”

 THE FIRST “REAL MERMAID” HAS HIT THE SHORES OF SAN PEDRO - AMBERGRIS CAYE.

San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
April 2011

Brandi Paige will be debuting this week as the first “real” mermaid entertainer to make a splash in Belize! This is a relatively new form of entertainment that has only recently been gaining popularity around the world. Brandi Paige has had the dream of becoming a mermaid since she was a child and after living in Belize for two years decided this would be the perfect place to make her dream a reality.

Brandi Paige has a realistic mermaid tail costume, exactly like the one in the movie “Splash.” She has been training extensively for 2 years practicing breath hold, yoga, and free diving with a monofin. She has extensive practice with underwater modeling, which is an art form in itself.

What is a mermaid entertainer you ask? The sky and your imagination is the limit!

These are some of the many services Brandi will be offering all over the Caribbean as a mermaid…
- Underwater Photography/Modeling
- Mermaid Nyotaimori catering
- Underwater Marriage Proposals
- Films/Documentaries/ Commercials
- Event Promotions
- Advertising
- Acting
- Singing/Playing guitar (can provide music for events as well)
- Entertainment at Pool Parties/ Hotels/ Resorts
- Adult Parties
- Kids Parties
- Writing Music
- Scenery for snorkeling/scuba trips
- Special Events
- Fundraisers/ Charity Events

Brandi is very excited to begin to use her artistic ability in aiding the community to bring awareness to save our oceans and reefs in Belize. She has plans to release numerous underwater videos of her adventures swimming in Belize’s oceans as well as a picture book.

So, keep an eye out for Brandi the Mermaid around the island and in the sea. She is living proof that dreams can become a reality!

Contact:
Brandi Paige – Mermaid Model/Performer
+501-630-3048
Brandimermaid@yahoo.com

 All photos have been used with permission from Ambergris Today - Belize News and Jose Luis Zapata Photography.

Walk in our Footsteps on the Island of San Pedro - Ambergris Caye in Belize

Walk in our Footsteps on the Island of San Pedro - Ambergris Caye in Belize


Easter in Belize is a long 4 day weekend of activities and events that locals as well as tourists visiting Belize get to appreciate the go slow mode combined with the festive mood in other locations. San Pedro was definitely very busy with a sea of people flocking to the island to celebrate the long weekend. We were in San Pedro - Ambergris Caye in Belize this Easter, the largest island in Belize and a well known destination for many tourist visiting Belize.

San Pedro is the main town on Ambergris Caye (pronounced key) in the Caribbean and is the hub of all events and activities on the island which is located just 35 miles northeast of Belize City and just a short 15 minute flight from the Belize International Airport by way of Tropic Air or Maya Island Air which has scheduled hourly flights to the island. You can also get to San Pedro by way of Boat Shuttle Service which departs Belize City on scheduled runs to the island. When on the island your mode of transportation varies, you can walk, rent a bicycle, catch a cab or rent a golf cart to get around and visit the many beautiful spots on the island or places to eat, drink and be merry.


 Ambergris Caye is 25 miles long (40 kilometers) from north to south and approximately 1 mile wide (1.6 kilometers) and named after the patron saint of Saint Peter, the patron saint of fishermen and net makers. San Pedro and Ambergris Caye has come a long way since being a quiant fishing village. Ambergris Caye in Belize has become a popular tourist destination and with popularity comes many real estate developments. The island of Ambergris Caye has seen an influx of foreign investors and can now boast a large expat community who has helped in the rapid development of the island.

On the island of San Pedro - Ambergris Caye you can casually relax on the beaches, beachfront bars and restaurants, central park on the beach or your beachfront hotel. You can also choose to do offshore activities such as, swimming, jet-skiing, kite boarding, para-sailing, glass bottom boat tours, snorkeling, diving, fishing and much more. The island's friendly people and immense year-round sunshine will almost always insure a perfect getaway and pleasurable stay on the island. I must admit we thoroughly enjoyed our getaway on the island and would definitely recommend it over and over again.

Here are some of the places we visited to relax and eat and would definitely recommend if you are visiting the island of San Pedro-Ambergris Caye in Belize.

D' Sea Deli and Bar: Great Seaside location to hang our with friends and have a cold beer and some delicious food from a full menu of items that include wraps, pizzas, subs, salads...

El Divino Caribbean Steakhouse and Martini Bar at Banana Beach Resort: A place well known not only for their delicious steaks, but also the best mixed ceviche on the island of San Pedro-Ambergris Caye.

Wayo's Bar: A rustic beachfront bar visited frequently by the locals as well as expats offering delicious wings as well as margaritas.


Estel's Dine By The Sea: Excellent choice for beachfront breakfast in a beach casual setting with sand on the ground so you never feel like you are leaving the beach. Breakfast and lunch are served all day long.

D and E's Frozen Custard and Sorbets: During the summer season this is an excellent way to cool down your palette. Smooth, cool and refreshing for a hot day. You can choose from a wide assortment of flavors.


Micky's Restaurant: An excellent choice not only for breakfast, but also for lunch and dinner. Offering delicious and generously portioned meals with a home cooked taste and very satisfying.


Fido's Restaurant and Bar: This beachfront location has recently won our readers' poll for best bar on the island of San Pedro-Ambergris Caye. Known not only for their bar but their ambiance, delicious meals and fun nightlife with the rockin band Love Paradigm who definitely entertains the crowd. This is a location you must visit when on the island.


Celi's Deli: Excellent choice and location to grab a meal on the go, Belize's version of fast food. You can choose from many items that include local journey cakes with cheese and beans, flour tortillas with beans, meatpies, coffee and fresh juices just to name a few. Conveniently located on front street (Barrier Reef Drive).


El Fogon: A location that is tucked away but offering delicious and mouth watering meals all cooked on Belizean "Fire Haat" (an open wood fed hearth to cook meals). A location that is quaint and unique with the best Conch Soup with tender bits. A real hangover cure...Just a thought.


Nautica Seafood Grill and Bar: A wonderful restaurant and dining experience with full service bar that offers a romantic escape, very fresh seafood and very attentive service from the staff. You can choose from indoor or outdoor dining experiences. Located just upstairs of Fido's.

Sunset Grill: Aptly named since it's on the westside of the island that offers the best sunsets over the lagoon. A really elegant dining experience with scrumptious, lip smacking, and beautifully prepared meals. It is always entertaining to feed or watch others feeding the resident tarpons who take sardines from your hands. A true dining experience that is a must have.


Albertina Aquino Food Stall in Central Park: Albertina Aquino is a hard working woman that serves up the best mouth watering afterhours street food creations on the island of San Pedro-Ambergris Caye in Belize. She can always be found at the park between the hours of 6pm and 5am and is the last stall on the right when facing the sea closest to the playground. Albertina serves up the best burritos, tacos, hot dogs and much more. Make sure to visit Albertina's Food Stall after you are finished clubbing, partying, or just meandering near Central Park on San Pedro-Ambergris Caye late at night.

Places to shop for groceries and other miscellaneous items:

Island Supermarket - Shop in airconditioned comfort with all the modern convenience with the widest selection of items close to downtown San Pedro Town.

La Isla Groceries - If you are staying on the southside of the island this is another great location that offers air conditioned shopping and a great selection of items.

Marina's Grocery Store - Located approximately 1.5 miles south of town this location offers a great selection of items at very reasonable prices.

A couple activities that we definitely recommend would be a snorkeling or diving trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve or Shark Ray Alley the most popular site for snorkeling/diving which is just a short boat ride, 4 miles southeast of San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye to Belize's famous Barrier Reef. Swimming with a healthy population of sharks, rays, fishes and resident sea turtles will surely add excitement to your visit or stay in San Pedro-Ambergris Caye in Belize. It's an experience that we gaurantee will add to your overall enjoyment in Belize.

We will be covering these locations in great detail in future posts. We have some great photos of the foods, drinks, interior and much more.
We welcome you to visit San Pedro-Ambergris Caye in Belize to share in the experience with others. We are sure you will not be disappointed.

Amazing Luxurious Beachfront Penthouse Overlooking the Caribbean Available on Ambergris Caye in Belize

This one of a kind elegant and modern luxurious beachfront penthouse is situated on the 3rd level of the Oasis Del Caribe Community on the Island of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye in Belize. The owners spared no expense in creating an indoor-outdoor flow to this wide open floor plan which possess high end finishes which the buyers can have for a fraction of the cost. This Luxurious Penthouse will appease even the most discerning.

This fully air-conditioned 3 Bedroom 3 Bathroom Open Floor plan penthouse with extremely high vaulted ceilings comes with a large upper level loft which overlooks the lower level. This large open floor plan offers spectacular views of the Caribbean from the kitchen, dining room or living room.

What's even more amazing priced at selling price, this condo is an exceptional value and is already discounted more than 25% from what would be current market value, offering an incredible bargain.

Seller is willing to pay $20,000 of Buyers Non Recurring Closing Costs with a full price offer!


For more information and photos, CLICK HERE!

San Pedro - Ambergris Caye a Favorite Destination for Tourists in Belize

Ambergris Caye in Belize is a favorite destination among the tourists visiting Belize.  Ambergris Caye is one of the largest cayes  in Belize stretching 36 miles long with the largest town being San Pedro with a population of about 9000 inhabitants many of which were former visitors and have now made San Pedro, Ambergris Caye a place they now call home. Located just a short 15 minute flight from the Belize International Airport you too can soon be on the sands of this tropical island destination.

This popular tourist destination in Belize is well known for its relaxed island atmosphere where you are expected to kick off your shoes and be one with the sand on the beaches and the warm Caribbean waters. On the island the locals truly believe in the policy, "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem".  Located 3 miles west of Belize's Great Barrier Reef, San Pedro and Ambergris Caye is well known for its wonderful Snorkeling and Dive Sites that include Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley. What's very popular of this world class destination is also its many restaurants, shops, beach bars, and a wide array of boutique hotels and condominium complexes. Certainly, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye is by far one of the busiest of Belize’s visitor destinations, a destination away from all the lights and the noise of the city. The most popular mode of transportation on this laid back island is bicycles or via golf carts.

If you have not visited this popular Caribbean destination in Belize then its time to book a trip and see for yourself the great adventures that await you.

For San Pedro, Ambergris Caye Real Estate Listings CLICK HERE.

Amazing Sunset View Home in San Pedro-Ambergris Caye

This wonderful 2 Bedroom, 1 Bath home is fully furnished and move in ready. Situated just minutes away from the center of town on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye this property lies on the west coast of the island where the sunsets are amazing.

The lot is filled with pure white beach sand and is fully fenced which is great if you have children or pets. Just around the corner from the property is the community park and very close to shops and schools.

Listing Price: $135,000 USD

Make sure to call today and make your appointment to view this home!

For more information and photos on this home CLICK HERE.

Platinum International Real Estate's Blog will now include Photos of Belize

We have realized that merely talking about Belize does not get everyone to appreciate the beauty of Belize. It's one thing to say how beautiful Belize looks and another to see it for yourself in a wonderful collage of photos.
If you are a photographer and would like to get your photos featured on our blog you may send an email to info@platinumrealestate.biz with your photo and story of your photo, please be sure to put your name on your photo as well as the location it was taken. Entries that have website addresses or other information will not be accepted.

Examples:

Financial Pressures Closes Down Saga Humane Society, Reduce Services

PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH ALL THOSE YOU KNOW THAT LOVE ANIMALS!

Saga Humane Society to Close Full Time Vet Clinic and Reduce Services Due to Mounting Financial Pressures.
- Press Release, Saga Humane Society, January, 4, 2011 - Saga Humane Society regrets to announce that it will no longer be able to maintain a full time veterinary clinic or to provide free clinic services to low income pet owners. Saga will continue on a limited basis to take in surrendered and stray animals, and to do stray dog roundups, and follow up on abuse and neglect cases, but only as its finances will allow.
Saga has found itself to be in an unsustainable financial position after months of struggles - license limitations placed on its full time vet leading to loss of paying customers, financial pressures from the poor economy, increased surrenders of animals, increased requests and referrals for free services, and local competitive factors.
In order to continue Saga’s mission to promote kindness and prevent cruelty to animals as best it can, Saga must downsize and reorganize. As part of that downsizing, Saga’s full time vet clinic has been closed as of today.
Saga intends to re-open the vet clinic on a part time basis for one or two days a week in the near future. The clinic will primarily serve the needs of Saga’s own shelter animals, but also to provide some services to the public on a paid basis. This part time schedule will be announced.
Besides thanking the many people who have continued to support and believe in Saga’s mission over the last 10 years, Saga’s Board and Staff would like to especially acknowledge and thank their dearly departed friend Michael Fox, who made a generous gift to Saga in his will. It should be noted by the public, however, that Saga has not received any of this money yet, and that under the terms of the will and gift, Saga won’t receive anything until Mr. Fox’s assets are liquidated and all other parties named in the will have received their gifts first. This could easily take a year or two.
Saga’s focus in going forward will be primarily the operation of a shelter, adoption and public education center, while also promoting the spay and neuter of the local animal population. Saga will also continue taking in and caring for surrendered and stray animals, and to provide dog roundups and follow up on abuse and neglect cases so long as it can do so. Saga intends to reform and reorganize its business model to create a more sustainable organization in the long term, including a sponsorship program that will enable individuals or businesses to take on all or part of the support of an individual animal, key staff member or critical expense.
So, now, more than ever, Saga needs its public’s support, kind sponsors, both individuals and businesses, you who understand and know the importance of what Saga does for this community and its animals every day.
Just last week, Saga was finally able, after over a year of effort, to rescue a dog who lost his owner as a puppy and had his outgrown collar deeply embedded into the flesh of his neck (thanks Heather for your generous volunteer time and the dog trap!). And to help put a poor dog humanely out of his misery who suffered an amputation from a machete blow up North (thanks for calling us to let us know so we could help!). Saga gets calls like this and goes out to help animals in the community day in and day out, week after week. We need your help to continue during this critical time in Saga’s history.
Please make your donations at Saga’s place of business on Sea Star Street (one block west of the Island Academy’s athletic fields) or go to Saga’s website to make a secure donation at http://www.sagahumanesociety.org/

PLEASE HELP US!

Make a secure donation at http://www.sagahumanesociety.org/

Article by: Ambergris Today