Dear Editor,

Firstly, let me thank you for the Jamaica Observer’s commitment to bring to the public’s attention matters that relate to animal welfare.

Animal cruelty and neglect are pervasive problems in Jamaica, and existing laws to protect domestic animals as well as wild species are outdated, inadequate, and ineffective.

A group of concerned citizens — the Animal Welfare Advocacy Group (AWAG) — is spearheading a process to promote the humane treatment of animals in Jamaica through a broad-based approach that brings together non-governmental organisations (NGOs), Government of Jamaica (GOJ) entities, the private sector, charitable organisations, and individual animal welfare advocates to provide a framework for all interested groups and individuals to play a role according to their area of expertise and level of commitment in promoting animal welfare in Jamaica.

The main responsibility for animal welfare falls under the Ministry of Agriculture, Mining and Fisheries, other ministries are also involved, these include the ministries of health, tourism, local government and justice.

As an umbrella advocacy group, AWAG is concerned that a number of critical issues regarding the veterinary community have come to a standstill because, as we were told, the Jamaica Veterinary Board is “in transition” since January 2025, and up to this point the Ministry of Agriculture has failed to reappoint a new board.

The Jamaica Veterinary Board oversees the practice of veterinary medicine in Jamaica under the Veterinary Act. The lack of a board impacts the veterinary profession in a number of ways, including:

1) the gazetting and publication of the list of registered vets and enrolled animal health assistants — with no board this cannot have been done for 2025;

2) the issue of annual licensing certificates for veterinarians — veterinarians have not received them for this year;

3) the registration of new veterinarians — applications cannot be processed with no board;

4) queries or complaints by the public, both local and overseas, cannot be addressed;

5) the matter of fake vets offering services to unsuspecting people is also of priority concern — this is exacerbated if bona fide vets cannot get their certificates

Such matters impacting the veterinary profession are of concern to AWAG because this can ultimately affect the health and welfare of our animals.

In addition to the above, AWAG has been advocating for the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Tourism to set standards and put in place a programme of continuing monitoring for animals used in tourism businesses, to include zoos and other places where captured animals are held for entertainment. The plight of horses is a prime example, as are dogs on the beaches, and cats on hotel premises.

The above is of public concern and has implications for the development of civil society.

Our efforts to get a response from the Ministry of Agriculture to reappoint the board have fallen on deaf ears.

We must investigate these matters in full with a view to publishing a report which would have the impact of moving the ministry into action.

Blossom O’Meally-Nelson

Chairman

Animal Welfare Advocacy Group