Like many places around the world, animal welfare on this paradise island could be better. Over recent years, the stray dog and cat population has increased, despite the excellent work of local animal charities. There is an ongoing challenge to educate local people about animal welfare, encourage them to neuter their pets, and take in and care for unwanted animals.
All hotels on the island are frequented by stray dogs and cats in some way, and this can upset some guests and annoy others in equal amounts. One guest feeds the animals, and another complains to the hotel about other guests feeding them. This means hotel teams are in a no-win situation. If they shoo the animals away, some guests will be upset, and others are upset if they don’t.
Charities on the island continue to work hard to implement a programme of sterilisation and education funded by donations, and we are pleased to share with you a recent announcement that Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels has launched an animal welfare programme. At present, this is operating just in Shandrani Beachcomber Resort & Spa and Trou Aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa, but will, in time, extend to other hotels where needed.
Shandrani Beachcomber’s programme is the most advanced, with the former diving centre now providing a shelter for the dogs and cats of the hotel. The hotel has a full-time staff member called Mano, who feeds the dogs and cats twice a day.
Guests can make donations to help fund the project. Many were happy to help in a small way, and several guests have already adopted dogs with the resort’s help.
At Trou Aux Biches Beachcomber there is a feeding programme every day at the end of the beach in collaboration with a charity and the hotel has so far funded the sterilization of 41 dogs and cats in the local area.
As animal lovers ourselves, we wanted to share this with you as we appreciate that many of you may have concerns about the stray animals in Mauritius. Beachcomber has previously come in for some unjustified criticism via social media therefore it is fantastic news that they are taking small but very positive steps as a group to try to help with a Mauritian issue which is neither the responsibility or fault of any resort or hotel.
