An Island and a number of puppies! Can things get any better than this?
For those who love the beach and want to bring some furry friends along, there is an island made especially for you. On the tiny Caribbean island of Providenciales, Potcake Place, a dog rescue charity lets visitors bring puppies to nearby beaches. These rescue puppies learn to socialize with people and other puppies before they get adopted.
Potcake Place was founded in 1997 by Jane Parker-Rauw. She started providing shelter to dogs who roam around the island with no humans to take care of them. She helps more than 500 dogs get adopted every year.
In 2010, she decided to let locals and tourists hang out with these puppies at the beach to enhance their socialization skills. She calls these walks “puppy socialization walks.”
Visitors are allowed to take the dogs to the beach in the morning before the sand gets too hot. They have with them a puppy beach bag that contains a bottle of water, a bowl, a bag of puppy treats, some toys, and of course, a roll of poop bags. All puppies must also wear a harness, collar, and leash during these walks.
“People are told to make sure that the puppy is in the shade and does not get too hot, pick up all puppy poop, only give the approved treats that we provide, and see that the dog can’t tug at the leash.”
Jane emphasizes that these walks are more than just an Instagram activity. It is vital for every puppy’s development.