Go camping in Belize, and help a local cause.

THE PLIGHT OF THE CAYE CAULKER ISLAND CATS

Tired of the hustle and bustle of New York, Madi Collins gave up her legal corporate lifestyle in search of a more laid back living. She thought what more peaceful place can there be than her native island of Caye Caulker, pronounced (Key Corker) where people use golf carts and bicycles instead of cars and there are no traffic or parking problems to deal with!

In 2003, she packed up and with a smile on her face headed Caribbean bound with her husband and her three rescued cats, one which was rescued while vacationing in Belize a few years earlier. But after witnessing many shocking acts of cruelty toward animals her happiness faded and changed her life forever. Backed by her love and compassion for animals, along with her experience as a former animal volunteer in New York, she single-handedly began helping one animal after another. She could not turn away from all the pain and suffering of these animals.

Opening a shelter was one of her dreams while living in the US, but it never materialized. Madi states that she truly believes in destiny and knows that she was brought back to this island for this special cause. It is with the many sad stories of the island cats like Frisky, Summer, Brandy and Flower to name a few, who were rescued from being placed in plastic bags as kittens and thrown into the sea to drown, that the idea of P.A.W. Sanctuary was born.

Despite all the negative remarks and wishes that she would fail, she has managed in her own humble way to care for the many cats and few dogs who live on the sanctuary and has officially registered the sanctuary as a not for profit organization named P.A.W. (Protecting Animal Welfare). She is determined to protect and help as many island furry ones, by providing them with food, medical care, sterilization and a little piece of her sanctuary heaven coupled with plenty of love and head scratches. She says this work is not easy, is not glamorous, does not pay a salary, but it is the most enjoyable, rewarding work she has ever done and would not change it for the world. She is grateful for the chance to help these animals and to be able to give them a fighting chance at a wonderful life and this is the best satisfaction in the world.

Her dream is to one day be able to implement a Humane Education Program to educate children and the public regarding humane treatment of animals in order to foster strong human-animal bonds that will result in less animal suffering, responsible animal care and ownership and a community where the relationship with animals is guided by compassion and respect for the intrinsic value of all animals. She is hopeful that one day the Cruelty to Animals Act Chapter 115 and the Dogs Act, Chapter 153 which are the Laws of Belize pertaining to animal cruelty will be enforced and that stricter fines as well as incarceration will be put in place to stop the abuse, neglect, and torture of all animals.

Madi is a self-taught artist, who supported the sanctuary animals by renting snorkel gear, hosting campers on her property at PAWS FOR PEACE CAMPING GROUND, and by selling her cat paintings and her unique art line she calls "SCRAP CREATIONS" in her island store called WILD THING. Her art "SCRAP CREATIONS" is inspired by her love for her feline's friends and from her respect and love for nature. Her unique whimsical art is created from environmentally friendly safe materials found in the sanctuary's own back yard. She uses shells found on her beach area, left over scrap wood, and various types of seeds from trees native to her island such as Coconut, Hammons and cocoplum seeds, which is a tree that bears very small white or pink meaty fruits that are native to Caye Caulker. She was doing alright supporting all the animals in her little animal heaven but this suddenly changed when her customers started their own businesses.

The store is not located in the business area so it has been difficult to attract customers to the store and since the sanctuary has grown, it has been very difficult at this point for Madi alone to continue caring for the animals and making her art as well. At this point, the sanctuary is going through financial difficulties since it is extremely expensive to run a sanctuary without funds coming in. Madi would like to invite you to camp with at Paws for Peace Camping Facility if you traveling to the Island of Caye Caulker, Belize. Don't forget to come prepared with your camping gear to camp with us. You will enjoy your stay here and leave with the satisfaction of knowing that your proceeds helped toward providing food, shelter, and medical needs such as the urgently needed spaying, neutering & vaccinating for all the homeless island cats

We also offer a Volunteer Vacation Program or if you would like to volunteer while you are here, any skills you have that you can help us with will be most appreciated. In addition, if you would be traveling to Caye Caulker and would like to help us in a small way, you can do so by bringing any of the following: carriers, collapsible cages, flea meds for cats & dogs, dog heartworm medication, amoxicillin, Metacam anti-inflammatory meds, special kidney diet for cats, or cat beds.

To find out more about volunteering, volunteer vacations program, camping, Adoptions or about P.A.W Sanctuary, log on to www.pawanimalsanctuarybelize.com., or send us an email at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . And remember if you love cats or miss your own, there are many cats in the camping area awaiting your affection.

To get to PAW Sanctuary while in Caye Caulker, from Atlantic Bank walk west straight toward the back beach on Pasero Street. They are located in a peaceful location away from the main street businesses with one of the most spectacular sunset views.

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