ST JAMES shelter, Montego Bay Animal Haven, was the recipient of a $142,000 donation from Toyota Jamaica last week.

The handover took place at Toyota Jamaica’s Ironshore branch in the tourist capital.

Tom Conner, managing director of Toyota Jamaica Ltd, told the Jamaica Observer he was pleased with the shelter’s work.

“They’re doing a great job. They also teach kids how to treat animals, which is needed in Jamaica. They’re very dedicated in what they do,” said Conner, who owns two dogs — one of which he got from the shelter.

Founded in 2009, Montego Bay Animal Haven was started when a group of friends joined to raise awareness of the plight of animals in Jamaica.

The rescue centre has ‘re-homed’ over 250 dogs, cats, horses and goats. They have been involved in a number of clinics in Montego Bay and Negril where hundreds of street animals have been spayed and neutered in the ongoing battle to reduce the stray population.

Currently, the shelter operates from a private home.