USVI animal shelters because the government fails to execute contracts and release funds

Animal welfare organizations in the US virgin islands are facing an uncertain future because of the Government failure to execute contracts and to issue critical funding, according to a statement of the St. Assistance Center. Croix (SCAWC) issued today.

The Social Assistance Center said that, without the necessary financial support, the shelters in the territory will continue to fight to maintain the operations and will provide essential services for the increasing number of abandoned and wandering animals.

Scawc, Humane St. Thomas, animal care center in St. John, Ruff Start and Cruzan Cats Real have not yet received anticipated government funding, endangering their doors, according to the statement. Scawc said that his contract with the USVI government expired on September 30, 2024 and, despite repeated efforts to renew the agreement, the requests were fulfilled with silence.

Following an intense support from local and national supporters, the USVI Government announced on October 22, 2024, that it will give SCAWC with a subsidy of $ 175,000 for general operations and a $ 50,000 grant for a Spay/Neuter program, the statement said. However, despite the fact that he received the written confirmation from the Government that the contracts were signed, the funds have never arrived.

The first installment of the operational subsidy of the SCAWC was due on December 1, 2024, but was never received. Similarly, the first payment of US $ 25,000 for the Spay/Neuter program was due on January 1, 2025, but these funds were never paid, according to the statement.

After months of E -Emates and unanswered voice messages, the executive director of Scawc, Latoya Petty, visited the Agriculture Department on February 24, 2025. Only then did he find out that his main contact in the department was no longer in force, and the contracts of Scawc were never executed, said ASCAWC.

Immediately, Petty addressed other animal rescue organizations on the territory, including Humane St. Thomas, animal care center in St. John, Ruff Start and Real Cruzan Cats, to see if he received funding. None of them executed contracts or received government support.

On Friday, February 28, 2025, the director of Petty and Scawc of public relations and marketing, Becca Hughson, met with the USVI administrator, Samuel Sanes. Sanes expressed his shock after finding out that rescuing the animals of the territory did not receive his contracts or financing and assured them that he would work to remedy the situation, according to the statement.

On March 1, 2025, Sanes followed Mrs. Petty and Mrs. Hughson, saying she arrived at VI The Finance Commissioner Department, Kevin Mccordy, but has not yet received an answer. Sanes assured him that he would meet with McCudy in person on March 5, 2025, on St. Thomas to discuss the problem and impose on the execution of contracts.

Meanwhile, the second payment to the general subsidy of the ASSC operations, due on March 1, 2025, remains unpaid. Despite continuous information and pressure, there was no sign of resolution from the Government, according to the statement. “Without immediate actions, the animal’s animal saves is facing the dark possibility of closing, leaving countless homeless animals and services,” said Scawc.

With the future of animal welfare in USVI hung in balance, shelters seek public support. Those who wish to help can donate the following organizations:

Animal welfare lawyers continue to make efforts for urgent actions, asking government officials to honor their commitments and to provide the necessary financing to maintain operational shelters.