New programme pairing inmates and stray dogs in Seychelles hopes to spread love

Through the agreement, the prison services and the society will jointly address the stray population in the prison area. These animals will be sterilised and given proper care. (Seychelles Nation)

(Seychelles News Agency) - A new programme is pairing inmates and unwanted domestic animals in an initiative from the Seychelles Prison Service and the Seychelles Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA).

The programme is designed to address the growing problem of stray dogs and it will educate the prison staff and inmates on how to give proper care to pets.

Montagne Posee, an uphill location towards the western part on the main island Mahe, is a place where people release unwanted cats and dogs. The area also houses the Seychelles’ main prison. Through the agreement, the prison services and the society will jointly address the stray population in the prison area. These animals will be sterilised and given proper care.

“We know the positive effects dogs can have when they are partnered up with an inmate who has been selected to take care of that dog,” said Raymond St. Ange, the superintendent at the prison.

At the moment there are over 30 dogs on the prison premises. Inmates will be responsible for feeding, exercising and cleaning the animals. They will also have to keep the kennels clean.

“Inmates will also need to attend to the emotional needs of the dogs by being attentive and caring, and we expect the animals to attend to the emotional needs of the inmate by showing love,” said St. Ange.

St. Ange and his staff view this partnership and growing relationship with the SSPCA as being very important.

The MoU was signed by the Prison's superintendent,  Raymond St Ange, and the chairperson of SSPCA, Judith Strashoon. (Seychelles Nation) Photo License: CC-BY

“The prison service itself having and taking care of a large number of stray dogs found it the perfect opportunity to make a move in support of government efforts, to address what was happening in a positive way as well,” said St.Ange.

In June, the cabinet of ministers approved the final draft of the Control of Dogs Bill following feedback received from the public.  The legislation aims to ensure the control and protection of dogs in the country, under which the problem of stray dogs will be addressed.

Other animal welfare associations are doing their part to help curb the problem but education still remains a hurdle to overcome.

The prison service plans to build their own proper kennels within the prison where all dogs will be properly kept, exercised and cared for.  All the stray animals are up for adoption. Cats and dogs who for some reason or another cannot find a new home and be adopted will be welcomed to stay at the prison, where they can be cared for. 

Taking care of the stray K-9s is also part of a rehabilitation programme dubbed ‘Project Phoenix’ being carried out by the Seychelles Prison Services. At the moment there are six inmates already on the programme taking care of the strays.

After a number of months in prison, all inmates can opt to participate in ‘Project Phoenix’. There are three parts to the programme, each contributing to the rehabilitation of inmates in different ways.

Part one concentrates on providing educational, recreational, spiritual, peer and religious activities. At this point, inmates get the chance to provide community services in the districts of Mahe and carrying out work within the prison’s grounds itself. Interactions with dogs are done during this stage.

Gathering work experience outside the main prison facility is entailed under part two of the programme. At the moment there are three companies collaborating with the prison service. To be part of this stage, inmates must have completed the previous level. The partnership with the SSPCA also sees selected inmates working directly with them at their premises to take care of animals and to cleaning activities at SSPCA kennels.

“We do have a few cases where inmates have been selected to move directly to part two, which is at our discretion, while they can or have participated in parts of part one,” said St. Ange.

The final step in the programme allows inmates to seek a ‘License to be at Large” and or a pardon. The license is assessed and processed at the prison service through the designated minister.