Sailing the Caribbean Seas

As I set sail on the Caribbean seas I had no idea what I was about to experience or encounter on this incredible journey or realise I was about to continue to grow my love and passion in animal welfare and rescue. Being from Australia, I didn't know much about the Caribbean or realise the poverty in this area of the world. I was told by a friend it's the PlayGround for Millionaires. And that was definitely true when I came to witnessing super yachts passing by and private billionaire islands. However in between the wealth there is a lot of suffering.

My partner had just sailed across the Atlantic Ocean arriving in Grenada, Eastern Caribbean, here I joined him to start our Caribbean adventure. There are more than 700 islands, reefs, and cays, which are organised into 30 territories including sovereign states and dependencies. These territories speak English, French, Spanish, or the local Creole dialect.

We departed Grenada and headed to an island called Carriacou. In Carriacou we started to witness dogs strolling the islands, however at this point we did not realise the reality of thousands of unwanted sick and stray dogs. Talking to other cruisers we were very aware and cautious of poisons used to kill dogs by the local goat farmers. Our dog Dembe, a 48 kilo Rhodesian Ridgeback cruises with us, so we kept informed and him on a tight lead, pardon the pun, most of the time.

St Vincent and the Grenadines was our next stop, a country made up of 32 islands and cays with volcanic activity amongst these incredible islands sadly they are home to many stray and sick dogs. This country called us back many times to feed and care for the dogs. Bequia and Mayreau have significant struggles with animal health care. The main issues are the lack of veterinarian resources, education and general localised poverty.

As we continued to sail north of the Caribbean this prevailing issue continued on each island, including St Lucia, Dominica, Saint Martin and Sint Maartin, Antigua, USVI, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. Each island held so much beauty but so much pain, defenceless animals put at risk due to lack of human care.

To find out more check out Sailing Paws Rescue missions, stories and future goals for the welfare of all island dogs…