2021 Pet Products and Services Awards

www.lux-review.com Page 17 LUX 2021 Pet Products and Services Awards Happy Tails Foundation was founded in 2018 to address the lack of shelter and care of the local stray dog population in Mauritius, East Africa. The sanctuary is driven by a single goal: to play its part in making the world a better place for dogs. HappyTails Foundation Best Stray Dog Sanctuary – East Africa Apr21337 Nathalie Duthil Cowham moved to Mauritius with her husband in 2014 to take life easy, but quickly realised that it would be very difficult to turn away from the dogs in desperate need of care there. So, they planned to open a free-roaming sanctuary for the strays. There was no such thing in Mauritius, so Happy Tails Foundation is in essence the first dog sanctuary on the island. There are other NGOs doing great work alongside the sanctuary, but it does not see them as competitors. However, Happy Tails always aims to be the best at what it does and it knows it has high standards in place. The sanctuary grounds are constantly being improved to offer a better experience and life to it 101 canine residents. The sanctuary has the best team of four working seven days a week to ensure the sanctuary is a place where any member of the public can drop in for a visit at any time. They work very hard to educate and inform the public about animal welfare, especially on how to look after their dogs and cats. Happy Tails also works with the best vet on the island, and it is always improving the way it does things to ensure its dogs have a happy and fulfilled life. Its staff members are all local to the sanctuary and have a love for dogs, along with a great team spirit and relationship. They are honest, hard-working and caring and have been at Happy Tails since day one. The priority at the sanctuary is always the dogs and the staff are very proud to be a part of a growing movement of stray dog wellbeing on the island. Initially, the staff were not experienced at all in dog handling, but their desire to improve the lives of strays and to continue improving what they do shines through. They have also all learnt through experience and also advice from professionals in the arena what to do and not to do in cases of a dog fight, injury or crises. The sanctuary has cameras, a security man at night keeping an eye on the sanctuary, and emergency details on show should anyone need to call the police, fire station or vet. Happy Tails did find it was struggling during the pandemic with donations dropping overnight, which was catastrophic. The locals do not culturally understand the concept of donating, so the sanctuary had to come up with ingenious ways of collecting money to allow it to continue. Some of these have included puppy play dates, where it set up a puppy pen at a local arts and crafts market and Art for Change, an art exhibition showcasing and selling pieces from local artists both online and in the gallery. These events last year allowed Happy Tails to raise some funds and also awareness of its work. Additionally, it managed to get some of its puppies and dogs adopted. This year, Happy Tails has plans to expand is “Dog Park”, including obstacle courses to bring more enrichment to its dogs’ day-to-day lives, and opening a volunteer-run Happy Tails charity shop which will not only help raise vital funds, but also help the local poor communities who are really struggling at the moment. Also, Nathalie is currently studying to become a dog trainer and behaviourist which will enable her to share her skills with her staff and canine residents, as well as with the locals who have behaviour challenges with their adopted dogs. She will be offering Puppy School classes as well, which will in turn allow Happy Tails to raise more funds. If you would like to donate to or volunteer for Happy Tails Foundation, please visit the website below for more information and to register. Also, please think of the sanctuary if you are having a clear-out of old items – the dogs can use your old blankets, towels, sheets and toys! Company: Happy Tails Foundation Contact: Nathalie Duthil Cowham Website: www.happytailssanctuary.com