Three companies have been asked to submit quotations for the setting up of Trinidad's first temporary animal shelter. This news will obviously bring a smile to the faces of dog and cat lovers, who sometimes lose their pets when a disaster happens. Only animals registered at the Warden's Office with a collar engraved with a registration number will be allowed into the centre. This would deter people from bringing in stray animals.
CEO of the ODPM Dr Stephen Ramroop said this was all part of his organisation's initiative to help animals that are trapped in and outside of homes during a natural disaster, causing great worry and stress to its owners.
During their visit to flood prone areas across the country, ODPM's staff have been asking households to register their pets. "We are now in a negotiation phase with a number of animal rights organisations to assist the animals at the shelter. We also have another organisation that is assisting with search and rescue operations with dogs." The ODPM was also working to get the Veterinary Association of T&T on board.