The 6th Annual General Meeting of the Anguilla Animal Rescue Foundation was held on Thursday August 23rd at Roy’s Bayside. The members were welcomed by President Chris Carty who opened the meeting with the AARF Prayer. Jackie Pascher the Treasurer and each Committee Chairman reported on what their Committees had accomplished in the past year.

Madeline Kelly & Reggie Mongerie - AARF Foster Parents of the Year Award

Lynn Bartlett reported on the education efforts in the community especially the art project at Road School sponsored by the family of the late Kathy Melby.

Suzie Donahue, Head of Communications thanked The Anguillian, Anguilla Life and The Daily Herald, as well as Radio Anguilla & Heartbeat Radio, for supporting AARF projects. She also noted that the AARF website and newsletter were focal points of the society.

Michele Morland - AARF Volunteer of the Year Award

Jackie Pascher, speaking for Althea Turner, who headed the fundraising department, but is now off island, thanked all those who had participated and contributed to our Yard Sale and Bingo events which helped us meet our projected budget, for this year, of US $22,000. This budget includes care of the AARF animals at Morlens Veterinary Hospital; as well as the Spay and Neuter project managed by Suzie Donahue who announced that AARF has now sterilized over 800 dogs and cats on Anguilla since the project began in the summer of 2003.

Gayle Gurvey, Membership Chairman, reported that AARF will have a new brochure produced by Jo-Anne Mason ready by the end of October and that AARF currently has 147 paid members. She also reminded everyone that our next Bingo fundraiser will be on November 24th at Roy’s.

Members at AARF AGM

Maria Forman, who heads the Adoption Committee, reported that since January 07 AARF has found homes for 144 dogs/puppies and cats/kittens and thanked all those who gave these animals forever homes. She also presented an award to Madeline Kelly and Reggie Mongerie, as AARF Foster Parents of the Year, in appreciation of all the many animals that they had taken in, socialized and given a second chance at life, until AARF could find good homes for them.

Chris Carty presented the AARF Volunteer of the Year Award to Michele Morland for all that she has done this past year, and in previous years as well, including fostering, working at clinics, adoption days, bingo events and yard sales. In fact Michele never says no and we are very grateful for all that she has done!

President Carty announced that AARF had donated to Morlens Veterinary Hospital, which is undergoing major renovations and improvements, US $20,000 dollars to be used for the purchase of an x-ray machine which will benefit all the animals of Anguilla, not just AARF animals. This important piece of medical equipment will make it much easier to facilitate the care of an injured animal here in Anguilla. Chris also announced that AARF will now have our own space – an AARF Shelter – at the newly renovated Morlens Hospital when it is completed. It will include office space and a boarding area dedicated to AARF animals.

In closing, President Carty thanked everyone for attending and announced the new board for the 2007 - 08 year comprise:
President – Chris Carty
Vice – President – Suzie Donahue
Secretary – Kimberly Fleming
Treasurer – Jackie Pascher
Members at Large – Gayle Gurvey and Linda Gratton

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