The Pegasus Foundation

PEGASUS HIGHLIGHTS
May 2003
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IN THIS ISSUE:
Pegasus Announces Grants to Caribbean Spay/Neuter Programs
Navajo Nation Spay/Neuter Clinics Launch 2003 Season
Pegasus Increases Presence on Florida's Treasure Coast
Giving Circle for Animals Gets New Name, Issues First Grants
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Pegasus Highlights is an occasional newsletter highlighting some of the recent activities and accomplishments of the Pegasus Foundation, a private independent foundation that supports environmental and animal protection programs.


PEGASUS ANNOUNCES GRANTS TO CARIBBEAN SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAMS

As part of its Caribbean Animal Welfare Initiative, the Pegasus Foundation announced that it has awarded eight grants so far this year to animal welfare programs working in the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

The Foundation announced last September the availability of up to $50,000 in total funding for companion animal spay/neuter efforts in the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Submitted proposals were reviewed and scored by a team of experts, and grants were given to:
-- International Veterinary Assistance, of Mosinee, Wisconsin (www.dvmassist.org), to continue a three-year spay/neuter initiative in St. Lucia;
-- Spay-Neuter Incentive Program, of Berwick, Maine (www.snip-spayneuter.com), to continue an initiative begun in 1999 to spay and neuter stray dogs on Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas;
-- St. Croix Animal Welfare Center (www.cruciancritters.com), to launch a spay/neuter program on the U.S. Virgin Islands of St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John;
-- World Society for the Protection of Animals, to support low-cost spay/neuter programs operated by two organizations: the Antigua and Barbuda Humane Society, and the Turks and Caicos Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; and
-- Three programs in Puerto Rico, all of which have low-cost spay/neuter services as part of their efforts: PARE Este, Inc., of Fajardo (www.pareeste.org); Save a Sato Foundation, of Guaynabo (www.saveasato.org); and the Puerto Rico Animal Welfare Society, of Aguadilla.


NAVAJO NATION SPAY/NEUTER CLINICS LAUNCH 2003 SEASON

The Navajo Nation, the largest Indian reservation in the United States, encompasses 26,000 square miles (larger than the state of West Virginia) and is located in portions of New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. The Nation is home to 210,000 Navajo people and an estimated 160,000 free-roaming dogs. Because of the depressed economy (per capita income is less than $6,000 a year) and the vast size of the Nation, many dogs lack food and access to veterinary care. Visitors often see animals roaming the roads and lingering at local gas stations or fast food restaurants.

In an effort to address the animal welfare, public health and safety concerns raised by the overpopulation of Navajo Nation dogs, the Pegasus Foundation has worked closely for several years with the Navajo Nation Veterinary Program and a team of service providers that operate mobile veterinary clinics throughout the Nation. In 2002, more than 3,500 dogs and cats were spayed or neutered.

The 2003 spay/neuter clinics began in early May and are primarily operated by four organizations, all of which seek ongoing funding to continue their work:
-- Spay-Neuter Assistance Program (www.snapus.org), PO Box 70286, Houston, TX 77270 (accepts donations on-line or by mail);
-- Plateauland Mobile Veterinary Clinic (www.plateauland.org), 2 South Beaver Street #10, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 (accepts donations on-line or by mail);
-- Navajo Nation Veterinary and Livestock Program (www.desertanimalcompanions.org/nnvlp.html), P.O. Box 4889, Window Rock, AZ 86515 (seeks donated items); and
--Remote Area Veterinary Services (www.vet.utk.edu/ravs), 125 Old Stage Road, Salinas CA 93908 (accepts donations on-line or by mail through the Humane Society of the United States).

Additional information on Navajo dogs can be found at: www.desertanimalcompanions.org


PEGASUS INCREASES PRESENCE ON FLORIDA'S TREASURE COAST

The Pegasus Foundation increased its presence in Florida this spring with the addition of a staff person to work on various Pegasus projects in the Treasure Coast region of eastern Florida, which includes the counties of Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River, as well as northern Palm Beach County.

J. Kevin Hertell, Treasure Coast Representative, will serve as the Pegasus Foundation program officer for the Caring Fields Animal Sanctuary, as well as track a wide array of environmental and animal welfare issues and establish relationships with existing organizations in the Treasure Coast region. Kevin can be reached by phone at 561-310-5779 or by E-mail at: jkhertell@pegasusfoundation.org


GIVING CIRCLE FOR ANIMALS GETS NEW NAME, ISSUES FIRST GRANTS

The October 2002 issue of Pegasus Highlights announced the formation of a giving circle designed to generate new funding for animal protection efforts. The circle, a joint initiative of the Pegasus Foundation and Fleet Bank Private Clients Group, was originally called the Caring Circle for Animals but was recently renamed the Giving Circle for Animals.

Through the Giving Circle for Animals, donors are invited to pool their funds, then decide as a group which non-profit organizations will receive grants. The Giving Circle provides donors a chance to help allocate a larger pool of charitable funds than if they gave individually to non-profits.

The Giving Circle recently issued its first round of grants to the following organizations:
-- Animals 101, Inc., North Palm Beach, Florida (www.animals101.com);
-- Aziizi Foundation, Stuart, Florida (www.expage.com/aziizifoundation);
-- Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, Jupiter, Florida (www.buschwildlife.com);
-- Hobe Sound Animal Protection League, Hobe Sound, Florida (www.hsapl.org);
-- Humane Society of the Treasure Coast, Palm City, Florida;
-- Marinelife Center of Juno Beach, Juno Beach, Florida (www.marinelife.org); and
-- The Wild Dolphin Project, Boca Raton, Florida (www.wilddolphinproject.com).

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
The Pegasus Foundation, 27 Merrimack Street, Concord, New Hampshire 03301 USA
Phone: 603.225.3918 Fax: 603.225.4624 E-mail: info@pegasusfoundation.org
www.pegasusfoundation.org
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