Doris Jolicoeur dreams of “a day where there are no stray dogs to care for and no puppies abandoned on the beaches,” which she observed is quite a common practice in Saint Lucia.
Doris and her husband, Don Jolicoeur, founded the Bruno Project Saint Lucia.
Since 2016, the couple has taken on the responsibility of shipping hundreds of dogs (and a few cats) to loving families in Canada, the United States, and England.
Many of these animals, once strays, attract the attention of visitors to Saint Lucia’s beaches, who might often see Doris Jolicoeur feeding them.
However, this week, Jolicoeur informed St. Lucia Times that her dream of reducing the number of stray dogs, especially puppies on the beaches, might have hit a snag.
She disclosed that, as of August 1, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States has banned the importation of dogs under six months old.
According to Doris Jolicoeur, the Bruno Project has had a busy year. It has worked with the Saint Lucia Animal Protection Society (SLAPS) to unite the dogs with caring families overseas. But all this has come to a sudden halt.
“As of August this has changed since the United States through the CDC has implemented the ban on the imports of any dog under the age of six months,” Jolicoeur told St. Lucia Times.
“So that’s been like a complete showstopper because we used to often send a puppy or two with tourists who happen to be staying on the island and they would carry the puppies to the US with them and now we can’t do that. So since then things have got quieter around here,” she explained.
The CDC said in a statement that it was updating its dog importation regulation to protect the health and safety of people and animals by ensuring that any dog arriving in the United States is healthy and does not present a risk to communities.
Other CDC guidelines include that the dogs must appear healthy upon arrival, be microchipped, and be accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form online submission receipt.
Dogs arriving from countries with a high risk of dog rabies must also be protected against the disease.
Jolicoeur felt the new US restrictions were merely a control measure.
“I think it is mainly to control the spread of rabies. Nevertheless, Saint Lucia is rabies free and they actually acknowledge that, but they still implemented this rule that is affecting us. I think it is just their way of just controlling imports,” she told St. Lucia Times.
The Bruno Project founder declared that she is undaunted and will continue to work with SLAPS to find homes for adult dogs.
She disclosed that over the years, many Saint Lucians have become aware of the Bruno Project’s work and are now more tolerant of stray dogs, especially those abandoned on the beaches.
She recalled an incident a few years ago involving a dead turtle on one of the beaches, for which the stray dogs received a bad rap.
“The attitude towards the stray dogs has since improved and is now one of compassion with some even helping feed the abandoned and stray animals,” Jolicoeur observed.
The Bruno Project started in 2016 after Vanessa, a visitor to Saint Lucia, discovered a sick, starving dog, later named Bruno.
Vanessa brought the animal to the attention of the Jolicoeurs, agreeing to assist with the expense of caring for Bruno and finding him a home in Canada.
Due to a crate embargo at the time, Bruno never made it to Canada but gladly took up residence with the Jolicoeurs.
That spark led to the start of the Bruno Project, and in 2016, the first dog “Lucia” was shipped overseas.
PHOTO: The last two puppies shipped before August 1.
Noble endeavour by the Jolicoeurs. Perhaps Saint Lucia can train some of those dogs and create a dog unit for RSLPF. I don’t know how is it that someone has not thought of this as yet. But it does show how caring of animals we are. Stray dogs are always a problem in Saint Lucia. We need to be more caring of all creatures as they are part of the ecosystem we inhabit.
Lobby Govt for ongoing funding for free or reduced cost sterilisations. That would alleviate a lot of the problem AND education. Too much animal cruelty and neglect in SL. Might work for some of the humans here too…
This makes me so angry! The CDC says dogs may carry disease to the US, but they let in millions of ILLEGAL immigrants who, I’m sure, bring in diseases, and most definitely bring in crime! Infuriating! Doris does such amazing work with the animals, dedicating her life to finding them good homes abroad, while Lucians continue to drop strays on our beaches to survive on their own.
So many abused and under privileged kids however is dogs and cats your foundation wants to rescue?.
God is ❤️ Love ❗
The tongue is a world of 😈 evil !
When one door is closed,many will be open..
Thank you for your love and care for those animals..
Let no one stop you !!
@ V sion — Yes. Because there are many abused and under privileged kids, that does not mean a foundation cannot be set up for dogs and cats that are abused and neglected as well. Both need support. If you as an individual want to put your full support behind abused and under privileged kids, then go ahead- it is much needed and a good thing to do. If someone wants to put their support behind animal welfare that is also o.k. Both are necessary.
Bravo to the Bruno Project for their tireless work. I wonder though, maybe this would be a good time to educate and help Lucians who love their dogs but can’t afford the expensive veterinary fees of getting dogs spayed or neutered to prevent dozens of unwanted puppies being dumped on beaches, maybe help with vaccinations so their dogs stay healthy? Surely this would be more cost effective than having to round up strays and do all of the above anyway, then fly them out to the States or Canada. Do they have homes waiting for them there or do they become more ‘dogs looking for homes’ that the States already has an abundance of? USA still has ‘kill shelters’ full of healthy dogs that could otherwise thrive in loving homes, being overlooked and spending their last days on earth watching kennel mates going through those doors and not coming back. They KNOW death awaits them and they have done nothing wrong. Lets not add any more to that ever growing list.
While it may seems as pure generosity there is a salary coming from it. But this also reflect how our society have reduce to. For this to happen there is a whistle blower
There are several other ways of reducing strays other than exporting them. What’s in it for them? Re-homing animals can be a very lucritive business.
Many of those so-called strays have owners who do not care for them. Some dogs go our during the day in search of food and return to their owners to guard their homes at night.
This is an issue for local government to resolve.
Who is this “V Sion”, imposter talking crap there. The English language has millions of words, get another name especially if you on here being ignorant and making baseless requests by comparing dogs and humans. Sor ti lah!
About time! Very few stray dogs in Saint Lucia are “homeless”. In the US / CAN / UK there are millions of “unwanted” animals in 1000s of shelters put to death every year for lack of an adoptive family. Costly export of Live Animals from UVF (accompanied by returning tourists) is NOT the solution. Education, Training, Spay & Neuter Clinics staffed by Lucian veterinarians (NOT foreign vets vacationing in exchange for free Continuing Education & Training credentials) are a few of the many ways PROPOSED over years -unfortunately- REJECTED by established Lucian “rescues” because DONATIONS Collected outweigh animal welfare…
This is very sad to read. So much wonderful selfless work for animal care from Bruno Project. All gods creates are important and have a birth right to life without abuse or starvation. We all must do our part to help.
I grew up in st Lucia most of my adult life and never seen those stray dogs the referring to so that problem must have started after 1994 when I left
We’re thankful to have non-NGO groups such as Bruno Project in St. Lucia. We appreciate Doris, Don and their team’s hard work and dedication to the cause of improving the life of these strays. Our Canadian friends just love their adopted St. Lucia canines. They spread the word about St. Lucia to everyone. Consequently, it promotes an interest in visiting this lovely island. Cause and effect – all beneficial to SLU.