How much is Your Pet Worth? – The True Value of Adoption

Press Release – SAGA – June 1, 2011 – Many people don’t realize how much their pet is worth. Pets are tremendously valuable. Aside from their traditional roles as guards, farm workers, hunters and companions – research shows that having a pet makes us healthier. Pet owners have better general health and lower blood pressure than non pet owners. Kids with pets in their home take fewer sick days from school and have better non verbal communication. Older pet owners are less lonely and more likely to be active if they own pets. Of course, human beings only receive these benefits if they are responsible pet owners.

This year SAGA has seen an increase in the number of pets that have been purchased at great cost to the owner, given up for adoption. Why would people spend hundreds of dollars on a dog, only to give it away to SAGA?
Many people will share stories of the local pot licker, its loyalty and good temperament with children. If the ‘pot licker’ were considered a breed, maybe it would have more value. Certainly, the Belizean pot licker is a unique dog and Belizeans should be proud to own one. But some people want something specific - such as a certain coat color or size - and so they go to pet shops or breeders to buy a pet off the shelf, in much the same way they’d buy a box of corn flakes. The big difference is that a healthy, well cared for pet can live for 14 years or longer. Pet ownership is a big commitment and should be taken especially seriously by parents wishing to teach their children about behaving responsibly.
The pets that are being given up to SAGA did nothing wrong except grow up. The cute little puppy that was purchased six months ago has turned into a demanding, large and active dog that needs training, exercise and company. Unfortunately, the people who purchased the puppy didn’t think it through and now there is an unhappy ending. The children are sad and feel like failures, the adults have lost several hundred, maybe thousands of dollars raising the puppy and the dog is homeless, no longer loved or wanted.

If you are considering getting a pet, try your local humane society first. In San Pedro, it’s SAGA. Pet ownership is not a decision to take lightly or to make on the spur of the moment. The experts at SAGA will help you to find the perfect pet for your needs. Once you have adopted a dog or cat, you’ll soon discover how valuable a pet truly is.

Holy Cross female football team get some gear!

Kelly and David Thompson from Kennesaw, Georgia USA recently made a large donation of football uniforms to the Holy Cross School of San Pedro. These efforts were fueled by their three children; Maggie, Will and Kayla who, while visiting, had joined the local children here to play a few friendly games of soccer.

Kelly’s kids all play organized sports were excited to find something they truly had in common with the local kids here, but could not help to notice the differences too. Seeing the kids playing barefoot with no uniforms, they came up with the idea of asking the parents of Kayla’s teammates to donate their used uniforms, cleats and balls to the schools here.

The Holy Cross Anglican School Girls Soccer Team was thrilled to try out their new soccer shirts. “I feel so professional”, says Heidy in Std VI (grade 8). Heidy loves playing soccer – “It’s fun, and I’ve made new friends”.

Mr. Coba, the Sports Director at the Holy Cross School, is also very grateful for the donation. “The uniforms really help, making the girls look and feel professional and it’s so much easier for everyone to know who is on which team. Having proper shoes is important too – many of the girls play with bare feet and they often cut their feet during the games”.

Kelly and David, who own a home here in San Pedro, hope to make this the first of many donations to the schools of Belize. By approaching other teams in the YMCA, they hope to get enough donations to provide full uniforms and equipment to all the children who want to participate in the sport and help build a league here on Ambergris Caye.

Both David and Kelly firmly believe that through organized team sports, children can thrive in all areas of life. “It helps build confidence in one’s self and trust in others when you are a part of a team that has one common goal and you learn to support each other. It is also an important lesson to teach our children and remind ourselves that collectively we can make a difference in the world,” commented Kelly.

Special thanks to Joel and Sherry Sullivan for donating all of the uniforms shown.

San Pedro Under 20 Football Team ties with Complex Admiral

In the beginning of the Belize District Football Association (BDFA) 2011under 20 regional games commenced on Sunday May 29^th at the Ambergris Stadium. The first game of the season saW the San Pedro Under 20 Football Team (SPU20FT) going up against Complex Admiral of Belize City.

The afternoon football games started at 1:00pm with a preliminary game in which the SPFC’s under16 team going up against the San Pedro R.C. School team. This game ended with the SPU16 team victorious over the SPRCS team in a score of four to zero.

San Pedro Under 20 Football Team

Complex Admiral

Commencing around 2:30pm the game between the SPU20FT and Complex Admiral was a tight one. At about 2:55pm the game was intensified when “Pinchy” from the home team managed to score the first goal of the game.

With supporters screaming and cheering their team on, shortly after, with the crowd’s support, San Pedro managed to launch a second goal around 3:05pm.

Shortly after, with the boys from the City intensifying their game, playing more aggressive, they managed to get their first goal in at around 3:23pm, just before half time.

Look for this week's issue of The San Pedro Sun for the entire story.

The Island Academy hosts Pirate Party

With fun games, drinks, dancing and dinner for a whole fleet, The Island Academy welcomed festive attendees to their annual Pirate Party fundraiser! Featuring Poker, Roulette and Karaoke, Bingo, Chalupa, plus raffles and many other games, there was fun for everyone. Held as a fundraiser for the school, the Pirate Party was deemed a definite success.

See pictures below of some of the dressed-up pirates!

Belize Joins International Sailing Federation

The Council of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has approved for the Belize Sailing Association (BzSA) to become a full Member National Authority of the world governing body for sailing. Belize has been allocated, by geographic location, to the Group O- which includes 24 countries of North and South America, Central America and the Caribbean.
Belize now has full access to all benefits of membership including the ability to participate in global sailing events and utilize all ISAF services.

In 1996 the International Yacht Racing Union changed its name to the International Sailing Federation. The ISAF is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the governing body for sailing worldwide and is responsible to promote the sport of sailing internationally. ISAF website is: www.sailing.org.

Prior to 1870 individual yacht clubs developed their own set of rules creating confusion over different measurement standards. Consequently, sail boats from different countries could not compete on equal terms. In 1881 the Yacht Racing Association developed a set of rules for British waters. In 1906 the International Yacht Racing Union (IRYU) was formed by most European countries. By 1929 the North American Yacht Racing Union equally worded its rules and reached agreement that neither would change its rules without first informing the other. In 1960 a totally universal code of racing rules was agreed and implemented.

The Belize Sailing Association was formed on 17th February 2010 with aspirations to develop sailing as a sport in Belize and partaking in international events in due course. Two core projects to provide “meaningful activity” for youth and adults has been initiated as follows: Project Optimist for 9 to 14 year old boys and girls and; Grand Fleet Sailing for young adults and older to sail the traditional crafts unique to Belize such as the sand lighters, sailing dories and sloops.
The Optimist Project will be ready for launching in June in time for a Summer Camp program on Button Wood Bay. The Optimist is an internationally recognized class of sailboat designed for children and young adults. See www.optiworld.org.

In related news: On Saturday 21st May BzSA Secretary and Public Relations member Alan Usher and Chairman (pro temp) Belize Optimist Committee Shelley Bradley hosted a representative from the Guatemalan Sailing Association (ASOVELA), Sailing Coach Ricardo Robbiano, touring the venue of the Battle of St George’s Caye Regatta for possible participation. Also visited was Buttonwood Bay and Caye Caulker as possible future sailing venues. ASOVELA was founded in the mid1970’s and has sailed in regional and international events. Coach Ricardo made a courtesy visit to BzSA Chairman C B Hyde CBE.

BzSA email contact is: belizesailingassociation@gmail.com