St John Dogs & Cats on the Move...Want to Help?

One of our all time favorite organizations on St John is the St John Animal Care Center (SJACC).  They have done a wonderful job of caring for St John animals (mainly cats and dogs) that are homeless and in need of a forever home and best of all SJACC is a 'no-kill' shelter so often capacity is a challenge for them, but they always seem to manage to take in all lovable 4-legged creatures  needing a roof over their head and some love. 

Twix is looking for a companion to transport him to his forever home in California

SJACC is always looking for people who want to adopt (or foster) one of their animals. Often vacationers fall in love with one of their kitties or pooches and want to take them back home.  Often it is seamless to get them back home with the SJACC providing travel cases and help understanding how to work with the airlines. Sometimes, though, the SJACC needs an extra hand and that is their current situation. They have announced that Twix, pictured above, is looking for an escort to California (Sacramento Airport/San Francisco). Two St John visitors, Gordon and Cerena, fell in love with Twix and want to take him home with them, but they are already traveling with their two dogs (gotta love people who vacation with their dogs!) and they are flying Delta which only allows one dog per human-type passenger. If you are traveling to northern California in the next few weeks and are willing to help transport Twix please call the SJACC @ 340 774-1625.  

Penny (the kitty) on her way to her forever home in Southern California

If you are more of a kitty person, the SJACC is looking for help transporting a lovely kitty to her new forever home in Southern California. Last time our daughter was visiting St John she and her husband fell in love with a teeny kitty and took her back home (to California) to join the rest of their 4-legged family. What is it about California ? Big hearts, I guess!

Even if your trip to St John is not for several months, think about taking home something very loving and lasting (and better for you than a bottle of rum!). If you think that you might have a place in your heart and family for one of the St John kitties or dogs needing a forever home, check out their Adopt a Pet page and when you get to St John stop by to visit  the SJACC animals and staff. The staff are always looking for volunteers to take dogs on walks so what better way of working off that big dinner than taking a walk around Cruz Bay with one of their dogs. If cats are for you, think about volunteering some time and giving some love to the kitties in their charge.  You and they will be the better for it!

Dog Gone Crazy Over St John

One of the best things that has happened on St John over the last decade or so is the development of the St John Animal Care Center (SJACC) into a real force.  Years ago, dogs and cats (and sundry other critters) would roam free, without proper nutrition, love, or care. 'Dumpster dogs' (and cats) were not uncommon.  These days there is a radical change thanks to this amazing organization. The SJACC is the only 'non-kill' animal shelter in the Caribbean.  They have developed a wonderful adoption program which caught the heart of our family (our daughter and son-in-law adopted a kitty on a recent trip to St John and took her back to California).  They have also worked hard to educate people on St John (the old and young alike) about this importance of caring for our animals, established feral cat feeding stations, and neutering and spaying programs. 

This past weekend the SJACC hosted their Wagapalooza fundraiser which was a grand success. Lots of prizes, food, and fun. And, lots of money raised for this great organization. Assuming that you were not on St John but want to support the SJACC you still can! Elaine Estern, a wonderful St John artist who is also an animal lover designed and volunteered her time and talent to created this year's T-shirt with the above design which were sold at the event this weekend (e-mail them directly or buy on-line if you would like to buy one of these T-shirts if they haven't yet be sold out!), you can donate directly on-line, send supplies (they are always in need of doggie and kitty treats, volunteer at the shelter when you are on island, and, of course, adopt one of their dogs or cats.  If you cannot adopt but want to help when you are on St John inquire about transporting a pet back to the states. Who can resist a cute puppy or kitty?

Love animals? Love St John? Then this party, raffle & auction are for you!

If you are on-island then party with the animals Saturday night! An Evening in Paris (on St John, without the jet lag no less!) is the theme of the evening.  Put on your best duds & dancing shoes and get ready to enjoy some of the island's best catered food and local music.  The St John Animal Care Center (SJACC) is hosting its annual Gala complete with both a silent and on-line auction - so for those not lucky enough to be on St John in body but whose hearts are here - you can still participate.  Whether you want to bid on art, loads of water (which sounds pretty good to me, a property owner who buys LOTS of water!), boat rides, catered dinners, there is something on the list for you I am sure. 

To entice you, here is the current list of items up for raffle and silent auction. The raffle tickets are only $5 (or 5 for $20) and every dollar goes to help the animals of St John.

Raffle tickets can be purchased at the Nest, St Johnimals, Catered To Vacation Homes or by calling the ACC @ 340-774-1625 or stopping by.

RAFFLE PRIZES: 

• Bajo el Sol Gallery Livy Hitchcock 1 Pastel Pet Portrait - $1,000
• St. John Inn - 2 night stay – based on availability - $600
• St John Maintenance - Water Delivery 1 truck load - $375
• Beachwalk Charters - Weso & Mary - ½ day 4 hr local waters (gas additional) - $350
• Cruz Bay Watersports - Sunset Sail for 4 pp - $280
• Kekoa - 2 person sail - $200
• Shangrila Spa - Massage & Body Scrub - $200
• Paradise Lumber - Gas Grill - $168
• Drift Away Spa - Makeup Package - $151
• Arawak Expeditions - 2 full day paddle board rentals - $150
• Freebird Creations - Sterling Phases Necklace with Tahitian Pearl - $150
• Paradise Gas - 100 lb tank - $127
• Pink Papaya - Coconut Clock - $125
• Lina Guild Massage - 1 hr in office or home massage - $123
• Hypnosis and Life Style Change by Lucy Portlock - 1 session - $100
• Alfredo's Landscaping - Plants - $100
• Saint Jan Botanical - Plants - $100
• Nest - Gift Certificate $100
• Low Key Watersports - 1 two tank dive or Discover scuba diving trip - $98
• Pampered Pause - Kim Templeton - Pedicure $50/Carol Ayn - Hair Cut - Blow Dry $40
• Grapevine Salon & Spa - 1 hr massage - $85
• Coral World - Family Pass - $60
• Caravan Gallery - Hand carved Elephant from Bali - $58
• St. John Hardware - Gift Certificate - $50
• Coral Bay Garden Center - Plants & Pots - $50
• Big Planet - Gift Card - $50
• Fabric Mill - Gift Certificate - $50
• La Plancha - Gift Certificate - $50
• Kickboxing - 1 week pass - $35
• Connections -Two $25 Gift Certiicates for services some restrictions apply - $50

Silent Auction Items  Bids will be accepted for Silent Auction items until 12 noon on January 19th via email to Debbie@cateredto.com

• Plumeria Villa - 1 week stay - Alyce & Paul Jordan - $3,400 (Min bid $1,500) Subject to availabilitywww.vrbo/#341389
• Colorado Log Cabin - 1 week stay - Maggi & Jon Ward - $3,000 (Min bid $1,500) Subject to availabilitywww.vrbo/#183093
• BVI Package - Sand Castle JVD - 1 night - Some restrictions apply $250, Soggy Merchandise -Hat,Blanket,Koozie,Stickers,KeyChain,Crokie $110, Corsairs Dinner for 2
• Grande Bay Resort & Residence Club - 3 night stay - 1 bdrm suite - $1,350
• St John Dental – Teeth Whitening & Esthetic Consult - $1,000
• Singing Dog Sailing - 1/2 Day Sail for 6 on Luxury catamaran - $800
• String of Pearls Villa- 2 nights - No restrictions - Subject to availability - $600
• St John Inn - 2 night stay – Subject to availability - $600
• Caravan Auto Parts & Service - $500
• Kathy Depree – Will - $500
• Mermaid Charters - 1 full day for 6 $495
• Harbor View Villa- 2 nights – B. J. Harris- No restrictions - Subject to availability - $420
• Cruz Bay Boutique Hotel - 2 nights - standard room – Some restrictions - $390
• Into the Blue - Necklace and earrings set - $384
• PropertyKing – 1 day yard clean up – some restrictions -$350
• Passion Fruit Chef Service – Private In Home Chef Service - $350
• Shangrila Spa - Massage, Facial, Body Scrub - $300
• Core Pilates with Keryn Bryan - 2 - 1 hr in home session for 2 - $260
• Pet Package $205 - St Johnimals – Dog Bed & Toys $100
• Canines Cats and Critters 3 night stay - $105
• St John Repair Shop - For services - $200
• Mathayom Private Chefs - 3 bottles of wine/cheese platter 4pp - $200
• Caravan Gallery – Multi strand pearl necklace w/abalone accent - $180
• Cimarron Yacht Charters – ½ day sail or sunset for 2pp - $140
• Meagan Crandall - 1 hr in home massage - $100
• Kaye Thomas – Porcelain Bowl - $75
• Avelino Samuels - Numbered Wood turned Mahogany bowl - $50
• Caneel Bay Resort – Sushi and Beach for 2 

St John celebrates Friday the 13th with a heart!

Who cannot adore this little kitty?

Today - Friday the 13th - is adopt a kitten or cat day at St John's Animal Care Center (SJACC). Why not take a kitty home to remember your time on St John - or, if you live on St John adopt a cat or kitty and feel the love!  The SJACC has its own Facebook page which is really terrific.  We encourage you to LIKE their page and support, in whatever way that works for you, the work of the Animal Care Center. 

We understand that three of the kitties were born recently at Maho Campgrounds. Here is one of the very cute pictures they posted on their blog: 

One is fearless and fiesty, one is shy and playful, and one is cautious and reserved which fits your personality?