JSPCA needs $200m to survive - Hundreds of animals at risk

Jamaica's appetite for pet care has grown sharply in recent years, with more families seeking veterinary services and pet supplies than ever before.

Clinics are busier, supermarket shelves now carry full aisles of dog and cat food, and the number of animals brought in for treatment has soared. At the centre of this shift is Pamela Lawson, managing director of the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA). When she first joined the organisation more than 20 years ago, the shelter would sometimes see only four or five clients a day. Now, it records up to 45 on weekdays, and more than 100 on weekends, a change she believes reflects Jamaicans' growing appreciation for animals.

But even as attitudes evolve, the JSPCA is facing one of its toughest battles yet. The organisation has lost its lease on Winchester Road in St Andrew, and must now raise $200 million to relocate more than 500 animals in its care. Lawson warned that without urgent support, the fallout will extend beyond animal welfare, disrupting critical services that touch public health and safety.

The JSPCA often finds itself at the frontline of situations far removed from household pets, including responding to dangerous dogs, and removing strays from hospitals.

"When cats are falling out of a hospital ceiling or dogs march through the gates like gang leaders, administrators don't call the police, they call us," she told THE STAR. She argued that if the facility is forced to shut down, public health would be exposed.

"We assist in police operations, we step in when hospitals need help. Without us, those gaps will widen," she added.

Lawson acknowledged that Jamaica has not traditionally been an animal-loving country, with strays and neglected mongrels still a common sight. Yet she opined that the culture is shifting, particularly among younger Jamaicans. She even traced part of that shift to dancehall, where entertainers made pet ownership fashionable.

"When [Dancehall Queen] Carlene started carrying her dog Cash, people noticed. Then came the shih-tzus and Pomeranians, it became fashionable. Of course, people quickly realised how expensive they are to groom, and many end up with us at JSPCA," Lawson recalled. She also pointed to the variety of animal food in supermarkets as a sign of the changing attitude.

"If it wasn't lucrative, it wouldn't be there. The growth of veterinary clinics and the prices people are willing to pay are clear signs that Jamaicans are valuing what they have," she added.

The JSPCA has launched a GoFundMe drive and managed to raise $500,000 in just two days. But Lawson conceded that the $200 million target may be impossible to reach without state intervention.

"Unless the Government comes to the table, we won't make it. And the question then is, do I suspend government support, stop doing police operations, and stop going into hospitals? This is bigger than us," she said.

While acknowledging the country's financial constraints, she stressed that the state has a legal obligation, especially in dealing with dangerous dogs.

"It's a Jamaican expression, 'what fall off a head, will fall off shoulder'. We're not asking Government to do everything, but they cannot ignore their responsibility."

If successful in its relocation, the JSPCA envisions a modern facility with proper kennels, cages, and infrastructure to allow the team to expand its services.

"Right now, termites are holding up the building. With the right structure, we can do more, do better, and finally give Jamaica the animal welfare system it deserves," Lawson said.