CARFIELOVE Makes The World Go Round

We absolutely love our supporters, volunteers and sponsors, as they are the only way CARF Curaçao continues to exist. One of the biggest compliments that we can get is when our work is seen in other countries. We have been getting it more and more, people from all around the world reaching out because they have somehow heard about us and support our cause. We love it when they are holidaying on Curaçao and they make time in their schedules to visit us!
Let's take a look at some of the wonderful people who visited us recently.
Janine and her mother came all the way from Germany to give our CARFIES some ear scratches and lots of snuggle time. We were lucky enough to see them not once but twice during their trip. Isn't it amazing that they made time for our CARFIES? Masha danki, ladies (many thanks)!
Look at this wonderful donation! One of our supports, who would like to remain anonymous, has donated a big pile of treats and toys. Our CARFIES sure are going to love these!
A big 'Thank you!' goes out to our rescue friends from Tennessee for visiting us and showering the CARFIES with love. They also made a generous donation to cover the medical and food costs of our rescued street dogs. As you can see, CARFIE Sol was really grateful and enjoyed all the attention.
When Annelies visited the island earlier this month she didn't travel lightly. During her stay on Curaçao, she made some time to visit us and she did not arrive empty handed! With the help of friends and family back home in The Netherlands, she was able to collect a large amount of leashes, collars and harnesses which she donated to CARF. With over 140 dogs in our care, these will be put to good use. Thanks a million, Annelies and friends!
Robert & Jenna from the USA visited Curaçao for their honeymoon. This lovely couple surely has a lot of love to give, since they visited us not once but twice during their trip! How amazing is that? Many thanks to you Robert and Jenna, we wish you the absolute best in your marriage and hope you have enjoyed your honeymoon as least half as much as our CARFIES enjoyed all of your hugs, cuddles and belly rubs!
Thank you sweet Roos for dropping in with lots of goodies for our CARFIES and practical donations like stainless steel food and water bowls and a much needed new garden hose! 
Earlier this month, one of our supporters from The Netherlands came to visit Maxim, the little puppy with the injured leg. Maxim was a little shy at first, but our supporter gave him praise and treats whenever Maxim would walk which helped to break the ice. With the help of his colleagues back home, our supporter was able to raise a wonderful amount of money to donate to CARF. Many thanks Centrum Oosterwal and Apotheek Pharmacor!
And last but not least, during the first CARF Meet & Greet of 2016, many people came out to meet and play with our puppies. Longtime friend Kelly Theunissen, 1st Runner Up Miss Curacao Teenager 2015 dropped by for some puppy love, and wasn't disappointed as you can see. Thank you for your continued support, Kelly and family! 
   
"The world would be a better place
if everyone had the ability
​to love as unconditionally as a dog."

by Cassandra Bowers

You Can't Save Them All

Working with dogs is amazing, they are a constant source of positivity and unconditional love. Unfortunately, some harsh realities have to be faced. Compassion fatigue is a real thing, and it washed over us in a hard way this weekend, when we had to come to terms with the fact that you can’t save them all.
Last Friday, we rescued two dogs. One of these dogs was just a puppy and unfortunately he did not make it. He was literally covered in ticks, and his gums were so white that you couldn't tell where his teeth ended and his gums began. We are all so sad that we couldn’t save this pup, and give him the life that he deserved. Rest in peace, little pup.

As we wipe our tears and deal with the feelings of anger, sadness, frustration and disbelief at the cruelty inflicted on this poor puppy, we find comfort in your kind words and moral support. We will continue to roll up our sleeves and for the sake of his brother (who we also rescued and who is visibly affected by the loss of his friend - he felt it coming and was licking him and stayed near him the whole time) and the almost 140 other rescues we are responsible for, we will continue this uphill battle.

When will we see action and consequences against animal abuse? How much longer must we wait? How many more angry letters filled with disgust and disappointment must we continue to receive from tourists? Hasta cuando? Does this country expect a handful of volunteers to continue to clean up the mess? Wake up, Curaçao! You want tourists to visit our island? Well, then we first have to clean up our act.

Please send positive thoughts. All donations - no matter how small - are highly appreciated.

by Cassandra Bowers

CARF Puppy And Doggy Meet & Greet

On Saturday, January 30th, CARF is hosting its second Meet & Greet of the year. Just in time before the first month of 2016 ends, we would like to invite you to come meet, play, and cuddle with our adoptable rescues.
This time you can expect both adoptable puppies and (young) adult dogs looking for forever homes. The event will take place on Saturday, January 30th, from 10:00-11:45 a.m. at Beshiweg #1 in Dominguito (behind Supermarket Vreugdenhil and near NAPA Car Parts on the Caracasbaaiweg). Feel free to bring along your family, friends, and dog lovers alike.

All our adoptable dogs are up to date with their vaccinations and chipping, spaying/neutering is included in our adoption fee.

When: Saturday, Janaury 30th, 2016
Time: From 10:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Where: Beshiweg #1, Dominguito, Curaçao (see pictures below)

If you can’t adopt, you're still welcome to join. Consider bringing a treat/donation/hugs for our CARFIES and get snuggles and kisses in return!

by Cassandra Bowers

What Our Fosters Say...

Fosters are a Key Part of Our Rescue and Rehome Process

After we rescue them, our dogs are placed in loving foster homes until they find a home of their own. Fostering is very rewarding. You have the opportunity to directly impact the life a dog who needs a second chance in life. You get to see the changes, experience the growth and best of all, you get to save a life. Rescue is what we are passionate about so we make time for it. Some of our fosters share their experiences:
  • "Pancho kwam bij mij met een verlamde voorpoot. ​Ik kreeg van CARF schoentjes, daarmee konden we voorkomen dat de wonden erger werden. 's Nachts sliep hij binnen zodat het schoentje af kon en de wonden konden luchten. Ik legde een speciaal dekentje op de bank en daar kreeg hij nog een koekje. Dan maakte ik de wonden schoon en kon ik even lekker met hem alleen kroelen. Dat vond hij zo fijn! Pancho was een erg dankbare hond. Ik kreeg altijd een likje van hem als ik in zijn buurt was." (click here to read the full story of Pancho)
  • "Friends often ask me if I am sad when my foster dogs leave. And of course I am. But I am also very grateful to have been able to help save a life. From raising abandoned puppies to caring for sick older dogs, I love being a foster for CARF. No two dogs are the same and I find it interesting to learn every dog's personality. The best part of fostering is getting to see the dogs that you fostered get adopted by someone that will love and spoil them as least as much as you would.​"
  • "We have three dogs of our own, plus we regularly welcome a new foster dog into our home. We are a very busy family, my husband and I both work full-time and we live social lives. But rescuing and fostering dogs is what we are passionate about so we make time for it. We usually foster puppies, they might be a little bit more work but our dogs seem more accepting of puppies than adult dogs. It's wonderful watching puppies grow and help mould them into well behaved pets. I wish I could save them all, I know I can't, but that won't break my spirit. I look forward to helping many more dogs in need."
  • "When I first met my foster dog Buddy I felt so bad for him. He was terrified of every little noise and had clearly never learned to trust humans. He was very skinny and although he was clearly hungry as could be, he wouldn't touch his food until I was at a safe distance. I remember they first time he ate some food from my hand, it was a huge step for him. It took some time, but eventually he would wait for me to come home and jump of excitement whenever he would see me. It was hard to say goodbye when he was ready to move to his forever home, but every once in a while I receive some pictures of him which remind me I did the right thing."

Want to learn more? Make sure to also read '5 Reasons To Foster A CARF Dog'. Due to the many dogs that we have currently in our care, we are in urgent need of foster homes. If you and your family consider becoming fosters, contact stichtingcarf@gmail.com for more information.

Fosters are heroes

Picture

by Cassandra Bowers

The Story of Pancho

Some dogs ​will remain with us even after they are gone. CARF Volunteer Joline shares with us the story of Pancho, a very special stray-turned-CARFIE who left paw prints on her heart.
In augustus 2013 kwam Pancho bij CARF vrijwillger Joline terecht. Pancho had daarvoor een weekje bij een foster in Sta. Catharina gezeten die hem van straat had gehaald maar daar ontsnapte hij steeds.

"Pancho kwam bij mij met een verlamde voorpoot. Hij kon ook heel slecht plassen, hij moest lang drukken en dan kwam er enkel een miezerig straaltje uit. Verder had hij hartworm en dus dat pootje dat hij door onverklaarbare reden met zich mee sleepte. Dit zorgde weer voor wondjes op de bovenkant van zijn poot."

Vanaf het prille begin focust Joline zich volledig op Pancho's herstel en gezondheid; "Hij was te mager en al snel bleek dat hij maar bleef afvallen terwijl ik hem het dubbele aan eten gaf van wat hij mocht hebben. Samen met CARF is toen besloten om zijn bloed te testen, waaruit bleek dat Pancho's lever erg slecht was. Pancho moest dus op een speciaal dieet."

Ondanks dat Pancho problemen had om aan te komen, was dat niet Joline's grootste zorg. "Dat pootje was het lastigst. Mijn tuin bestaat voornamelijk uit diabaas (basaltachtig stollingsgesteente met grove en fijne delen), en Pancho voelde zich niet gehandicapt. Als er iets te blaffen viel, dan stond Pancho vooraan in de rij. De wonden werden hierdoor alleen maar erger. Ik kreeg toen van CARF speciale schoentjes waarmee we konden voorkomen dat de wonden erger werden. s'Nachts sliep Pancho binnen zodat het schoentje af kon en de wonden konden luchten. Ik legde een speciaal dekentje op de bank en gaf hem een koekje, vervolgens maakte ik de wonden schoon en kroelde ik even lekker met hem. Dat vond hij zo fijn! Pancho was een erg dankbare hond. Ik kreeg altijd een likje van hem als ik in zijn buurt was."

​Toen Pancho's lever eindelijk goed was, begon de hartworm behandeling. Dat was ook een flinke pil want Pancho had flink last van de prikken. "Vervolgens moest ik hem weken kennelrust geven. Wat vond ik dat moeilijk. Pancho was zijn vrije leven op straat gewend en nu moest hij in een hok. Maar hij vond het allemaal wel best, zolang hij maar een kauwstaaf kreeg om zichzelf mee te vermaken."

De volgende stap was om Pancho te opereren. Zijn pootje zou geamputeerd worden, hij zou gecastreerd worden, een bultje op zijn rug zou worden verwijderd en hij zou ook meteen gechipt worden. "Ik bracht Pancho s'ochtends naar Dierenartspraktijk Ronde Klip. Pancho liep zo de kennel in. Ik kreeg nog een lik, en toen ben ik weggegaan.  Een paar uur later ging de telefoon. Pancho was tijdens de operatie overleden aan een hartstilstand..."

Joline denkt nog vaak aan haar foster hondje; "Pancho's verhaal heeft geen happy end maar ook dit is de realiteit van het fosteren. Stiekem had ik Pancho nooit meer laten gaan, ik was van plan hem te adopteren. Maar helaas, het had niet zo mogen zijn. Ik heb heel intens met Pancho mee geleefd, we hadden in het begin een koekjes feest als bleek dat hij wat was aangekomen. Ik heb van alles geprobeerd om zijn pootje heel te houden. Uiteindelijk heb ik zelfs een harnas gemaakt van een tuigje, een (skater) polsbeschermer, een keuken sponsje en een riem (zie foto). Hierdoor hing het pootje in de lucht en sleepte hij er niet mee rond."

Pancho is uiteindelijk een half jaar bij Joline geweest. "Ondanks deze verdrietige afloop, zou ik het zo weer doen. Rest in peace, Pancho..."

Due to the many dogs that we have currently in our care, we are in urgent need of foster homes. If you are able to provide a temporarily foster home, please email us at stichtingcarf@gmail.com for more information.

by Cassandra Bowers

CARF Puppy Meet & Greet

On Saturday, January 9th, CARF will host its first Puppy Meet & Greet of 2016. Come meet, play with, cuddle and fall in love with our adorable adoptable puppies who can't wait to go home with you!
From 10:00 - 11:45am, everyone who is considering adopting a puppy, everyone who is interested in learning more about CARF, and everyone who simply loves dogs, is welcome to join us at Beshiweg 1 in Dominguito.

Our volunteers will be there to answer any questions you might have and give you more information about our adoption proces and our adoptable puppies. All puppies are up to date with their vaccinations and chipping. Spaying/neutering is included in our adoption fee (NAFL 150).

Date: Saturday, January 9th, 2016
Time: 10:00 - 11:45am
Location: Beshiweg 1, Dominguito, Curaçao
More info: Facebook.com/CarfCuracao

Bring your friends or family members and come meet, play, cuddle with our adoptable CARF puppies!

by Cassandra Bowers

Have A Pawsome New Year!

As 2015 comes to an end, we look back on a year filled with joy, sadness, laughter, tears, good times, bad times, highs, lows, hope, and at times despair, but for it all, we are proud of our accomplishments and we still stand strong in the belief that a few can make a difference in the lives of many.
Of course, we couldn't do the work we do without the help, generosity and support of our sponsors, partners, supporters, and our wonderful group of volunteers who work with us throughout the year. To all of you, we want to say: "Thank you!"

Let's hope that 2016 will bring positive changes to the way people treat animals, less animal cruelty, more animal adoptions, less neglected and abandoned dogs, more foster families who step up and more volunteers to help us save lives and continue our work.

Have a safe and wonderful New Year's Eve and a happy, healthy and prosperous 2016 for you and your pets!

Warm regards,

CARF.

by Cassandra Bowers

Safety & Calming Tips For Dogs During Fireworks

For some the holiday season is their favorite time of the year. Others, including most dogs, would rather skip it all together. Here are some tips to help keep your dog calm, making for an easier New Year's Eve for both of you.

7 Safety & Calming Tips For Dogs During Fireworks

  1. Provide A Safe Hiding Place: Make sure your pets are safe and sound by keeping them indoors. Dogs who are fearful of fireworks and left outside might panic and escape a fenced yard. Consider keeping them in a kennel in the quietest room of the house.
  2. Make Your Pet Feel Secure: Close the curtains and consider draping a blanket over their kennel to dampen noises from the outside. You can further drown out any fireworks noise with the sound of a radio or television in the same room as the kennel. Never force your dog to go outside.
  3. Feed Your Pet On Time: During the fireworks, your pet may become unsettled and not want to eat anything. Try to feed your pet a while before you expect any disturbances, as once the fireworks start your pet may be too anxious to eat.
  4. Remain Calm: Try to act and behave as normal, as your pet will pick up on any odd behavior. Remain calm, happy and cheerful as this will send positive signals to your dog.
  5. Keep A Collar On Your Dog: Just in case your pet does accidentally escape, make sure your dog is wearing a collar with his/her name and your phone number(s) on it. Make sure they are microchipped too, as if they do escape without a collar on this will ensure you are reunited as quickly as possible.
  6. Make Sure You Have Recent Pictures: Just in case your pet does accidentally escape, make sure you have recent pictures of him/her. This way, it will be easier for other people to help find and locate your dog after he/she has ran off.
  7. Medication For Dogs: Certain drugs can be useful but must be given early so they take effect before any noise occurs. If you think your dog may benefit from medication during fireworks, talk with a veterinarian to discuss your options.

​In the unfortunate event that your dog does escape and you cannot find him/her, you can post his/her picture and some brief information (name, date and time when he/she escaped, area from where he/she escaped, etc) on the Facebook page of Curaçao Pets Lost & Found.

We wish you and your pet a new year full of joy, happiness and lots of playtime!

Image courtesy of www.dogstrust.org.uk.

by Cassandra Bowers

Merry Christmas!

On behalf of everyone (and every dog) at CARF, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

by Cassandra Bowers

CARF Christmas Wish List

Looking for ways to support the neglected, abandoned and dumped dogs on Curaçao? CARF is always in need of supplies and materials. Providing shelter, care, and enrichment for hundreds of needy dogs every year is no easy task, but donations of items from our Christmas Wish List help us meet our dogs needs.
Celebrate the season of giving by helping our CARFIES. ​If you can donate, please contact stichtingcarf@gmail.com. Many thanks!

by Cassandra Bowers

5 Reasons To Foster A CARF Dog

Offering a CARFIE a temporarily home lets you actively participate in the rehabilitation of a traumatized or fearful dog. Due to the attention and security your give him in your home, your CARFIE can become a different dog; less shy and scared, more happy and healthy!

Due to the many dogs that we have currently in our care, we are in urgent need of foster homes. If you are able to provide a temporarily foster home, please email us at stichtingcarf@gmail.com for more information.

Here are already 5 reasons to become a foster parent to a CARF dog:

1. CARFIES Are Great Companions

As long as you have a foster dog in your care, you can enjoy his or her companionship. Some CARFIES only stay with their foster families a couple of weeks so they can get back on their feet, while others might need some more time. We will be actively looking for a forever home for your foster CARFIE.

2. Fostering A CARFIE Doesn't Cost You Any Money, Only Time

CARF can provide all the food, supplies and required medical costs that you need to foster your dog. Taking care of a foster CARFIE won't cost you any money, it will only cost you love, time, and water.

3. CARFIES Make A Great Playmate For Your Own Dog

If you already have a dog, fostering a CARFIE can provide your own dog with a playmate. In the past, we have seen that scared CARFIES will often feel more at ease when there's another dog around whose behavior they can copy. Of course, you don't need to have your own dog to foster a CARFIE.

4. You Make Room For Another Needy Dog

By opening your home to a CARFIE, you are making room for another abandoned, neglected or homeless dog that could use our help. With over 100 dogs in our care, we are sometimes simply not able to take in any more dogs. Fostering means that you save a life.

5. Fostering A CARFIE Is A Rewarding Experience

Most of all, fostering a CARFIE is incredibly satisfying. You will get the chance to see a shy and scared dog blossom into a happy and healthy dog. The day that we find your foster dog his forever home might be a sad day for you, but it is also very rewarding to know that this particular CARFIE may not have been adopted if it wasn't for all your efforts and affection!

Sounds interesting? If you are able to provide a temporarily foster home to a CARFIE, please email us at stichtingcarf@gmail.com for more information.

by Cassandra Bowers

CARFIE Of The Week: Sam ♂

Meet Sam. Sam first joined the CARF family back in July this year when a caring family stopped their car after they spotted him roaming the streets. Sam was only a few weeks old at the time, he was all by himself, and he was in desperate need of help. It didn't take long for this sick little puppy to steal our hearts with his courage and fighting spirit!
Sam refused to eat and he wasn't a big fan of drinking water either. We had to feed him with a pipette every 4 hours to make sure he would gain strength and weight. But he threw up a lot and it was clear to see that he wasn't feeling well at all.

​Fortunately, after some time and a lot of TLC from his fosters and our vet, Sam made the transition from being a sick, skinny and sad puppy to a happy, healthy and handsome survivor searching for his lifetime home. He sure deserves it. Can you offer him this?​​
​
For more information about Sam or one of our other CARFIES, please feel free to contact us at stichtingcarf@gmail.com. We will reply to you at our earliest convenience.

by Cassandra Bowers

Thank you, Curaçao Vastgoed Management!

We received another wonderful donation from our friends at Curaçao Vastgoed Management (www.cvmbv.com). Thank you for helping us help the abandoned, neglected and homeless dogs of Curaçao - you are making a difference!

About Curaçao Vastgoed Management
Curacao Vastgoed Management is een toonaangevend bedrijf op het gebied van beheer, verhuur en verkoop van de karakteristieke tropenvilla's op Curaçao. Via Curapools legt Curacao Vastgoed Management zich toe op de bouw van zwembaden en het verzorgen van landscaping rondom het zwembad. Daarnaast is Curaçao Vastgoed Management partner in de marketing van de B-sectie van Blauwbaai (Bluebay), genaamd "Blue Bay Heights". Hier verkopen zij villa's en kavels.

Voor meer informatie kunt u mailen naar info@cvmbv.com of bezoek de website via ww.cvmbv.co. Curacao Vastgoed Management B.V. is gevestigd te Curaçao en is bij de Kamer van Koophandel geregistreerd onder nummer 122992. 

by Cassandra Bowers

CARF Meet & Greet November

On Saturday November 21st, we hosted another 'CARF Meet & Greet' during which people could come and meet several of our adoptable CARFIES. Attendees could talk with our volunteers and meet and interact with dogs that are waiting for their forever homes.
From 10:00 - 11:45am in the morning, everyone was welcome at Kaya Semikok B3, a side road of the Cas Coraweg. This was an excellent opportunity for people looking to adopt a dog to meet a variety of CARFIES of different ages and sizes.

Several families, couples and individuals dropped by to meet and cuddle with our dogs. The Meet & Greet was even visited by one of our local television channels who interviewed our vet and filmed our doggies!

Interested In Offering A CARFIE A Forever Home?
We are hoping we can find some of our dogs a home before the holidays. We emphasize matching the right dog to the right family so that all will have many happy years together. The adoption application is the first step, and the fastest way to begin the process is by contacting us at stichtingcarf@gmail.com.

by Cassandra Bowers

CARFIE Of The Week: Berrie ♂

Are you looking for a dog to add a little spunk to your family? Meet Berrie, a fun loving two-year who is ready for a family to call his own. Can you help him find his home before the holidays?
We would describe Berrie as a very happy and loving dog. He listens well, interacts well with other dogs and is eager to please. Berrie is very playful, but if you don't want to play with him then he will occupy himself. Isn't that great? 

Oh, and don't get us started on his looks! Doesn't he look handsome?

For more information about Berrie or one of our other CARFIES, please feel free to contact us at stichtingcarf@gmail.com. We will reply to you at our earliest convenience.
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This holiday season, why not open your heart and your home to a CARFIE? On Saturday, November 21st, you are invited to meet, cuddle, play and fall in love with the dogs and puppies we have for adoption. Click here for more information.

CARFIES Sugar and Berrie. Berrie gets along very well with other dogs.

by Cassandra Bowers

8:00am, Breakfast O'Clock!

Bon dia! This morning, Kelly Theunissen, who you might know as 1st Runner Up Miss Curaçao Teenager 2015, came out to help us feed our CARFIES.
CARF is run by volunteers and relies on donations from supporters in order to function. It's because of our volunteers and supporters that we are able to do what we do.

This morning, Kelly not only helped feeding our CARFIES, she also cuddled the dogs, pet them and played with them. She was rewarded on the spot with (many!) puppy kisses.

A big thank you goes out to Kelly (and her mom!) for lending a hand and giving our doggies a hearty breakfast to help kick-start their day.

Check out the photos below to see some of the work that is done by CARF volunteers on a daily basis.

 Breakfast is ready! (How many bowls do you count?)
And, breakfast is served! 
CARFIES patiently waiting in line to get after-breakfast belly rubs from Kelly.
Aiden and Ariel love Kelly!
And so do Momma Gaia and her three little ones Giada, Giorgio & Gemma. They just couldn't get enough of Kelly!
Puppies Giada, Giorgio and Gemma may have made a mess of their breakfast, but aren't they the cutest...?
A well fed dog is a happy dog! Typically all CARFIES are fed twice daily, forming the basis of their daily routine. Our puppies are fed multiple times a day.
"When breakfast is done, we go lay in the sun!"
We depend on the work of dedicated volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, we would like to hear from you! Please drop us a message at stichtingcarf@gmail.com.

by Cassandra Bowers