Bahamas Alliance For Animal Rights and Kindness

Bahamas Alliance For Animal Rights and Kindness

Since 2009

Saving Lives & Preventing Suffering

Our History
Baark! was formed in late October 2009 by small group of animal advocates after a letter written by 14 year old Kirsh Duncombe to the Bahamas Tribune Editor.

It was revealed that every Friday morning up to 50 animals are euthanized each week at the Canine Control Unit, known locally as The ‘Pound’. This number is made up of animals surrendered by their owners and strays trapped by Pound staff. We wanted to significantly reduce this number in addition to the amount of stray/roaming animals on the streets.

What Drives Us

Our Mission

Baark’s Mission is to carry out spay/neuter and education projects to reduce the homeless animal population and end the suffering of dogs and cats in The Bahamas.

Spay and Neuter is the only proven humane method in reducing stray and roaming animal populations and in turn needless suffering. We operate TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) programs and provide assistance for low income families.

Education on animal welfare and responsible pet ownership is of the upmost importance. We have a strong focus on children as those taught to treat animals with compassion and respect are not only kinder to other humans, but they take those values into adulthood and pass them onto future generations.

Our programs provide free or subsidized spays and neuters of cats and dogs.

Baark strongly believes in partnering and working together with members of each community in order to spread the accountability, education and to have a lasting impact. Fewer stray/roaming animals create cleaner, safer and more healthy environments.

VISION STATEMENT & CORE VALUES

It is Baark!’s vision of a community where every cat and dog is cared for and wanted.

CORE VALUES – LOVE

Learning

We are constantly learning from each other, our partners, communities, and pet owners, and improving along the way. We strive to provide educational resources to local communities with a particular focus on children as those taught to treat animals with compassion and respect are not only kinder to other humans, but they take those values into adulthood and pass them on to future generations.

Ownership

We encourage personal agency through education on responsible pet ownership. We encourage staff and volunteers to approach communities with a positive mindset, intent on sharing constructive information instead of blaming and attacking.

Vigorous

It’s an ongoing challenge to provide subsidized access to spay and neuters. This work isn’t for the faint of heart but it’s the only proven way to see meaningful change. We remain relentless and committed.

Esprit de corps

We strive to create a feeling of pride and mutual loyalty shared by the members of Baark! We are only as strong as the passion each team member brings to the day and the depth of collaboration we create. Leave your ego at the door!

Baark! Achievements:

We are now celebrating our 14th year and are proud of our achievements to date:

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We’ve provided more than 29,012 free or subsidized spay/neuters of dogs and cats since 2009.

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Provided interactive education for over 3,200 children.

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Over the years we have assisted on 11 different family islands in The Bahamas – Spanish Wells, Inagua, Rum Cay, San Salvador, Andros, Abaco, Eleuthera, Exuma, Long Island, Bimini and the Berry Islands.

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Using the highly publicized statistic that one female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 dogs in 6 years (and the statistic for one female cat and her offspring), so far we have prevented over ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED MILLION unwanted puppies and kittens being born into a life of suffering.

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2023 Goal = 5000 Spays

Our Total Spays and Neuters Per Year

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

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2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

Testimonials

This charity is closest to my heart. These animals are dependent on our help. BAARK is a group of totally committed, hard-working and caring people. All donations go directly to help the animals. BAARK has had a tremendous impact on the lives of animals in the Bahamas and deserves our ongoing support so they can continue their efforts to reduce animal suffering.

Amazing and selfless work! There should be more good people and projects like these to help our voiceless friends.

Baark do exceptional Work with spaying-neutering & including the community when they are working projects on all the islands. Their volunteers are dedicated and this organization is making a difference.

Great work, great initiative and sooooo soooo needed around here.

They do so much. Go above and beyond what they need to. They really care about the animals.

They do an amazing job with the spay and neuter programme and teach people about animal care as well. Fantastic group of dedicated people.

I feel this organization’s work is dedicated, experienced and unwavering.

Hi Laura it was nice to see you the other day, I have been meaning to thank you and Baark! for your help with the wild cats in the neighborhood, my cats can actually go out of the house again without being beat up so we are all very happy. You guys are awesome.

I contacted your organization, about the dilemma we were facing, with stray cats in Nassau East South. One cat took up residence in the garage of the home in which I live and her presence attracted three male strays. As a result, she had eight kittens. They are now adults. The three male strays were constantly attacking and mating with the other cats. Most of them got pregnant.
 
I was put in touch with Aliya Carey, who assisted us with getting the cats spayed and neutered. I have to admit I was reluctant at first to want the cats back but when Aliya came, she assessed the situation and told us that it was Baark’s policy to return cats after neutering. She explained if not reproducing stray cats could actually be good for a community, they help make sure no rats are in the area. All of the cats were not caught at once. Aliya had to make several trips. Because of her determination and patience, she was able to trap all nine cats, along with one of the wild male strays.
 
My gratitude and appreciation goes out to your organization and in particular, Aliya and the vets who took time to collect the cats and transport them in their vehicles, to the clinic, where they were spayed and neutered. Since then the cats have been a lot less of a nuisance in the area, much quieter and as Aliya predicted no rats either.
 
Your organization is invaluable and a Godsend. I know this is not an easy task. You are certainly making a difference. Much thanks to you and your organization for the unselfish assistance you give to the community and in turn, the country.

Find out more about Baark!