Hurricane Mitch threatened Belize and many sought refuge with their pets in Belmopan. The pets had nowhere to go and ended up in packs on the street. When the all-clear was given, many were left behind. This created a security and health hazard, leading the corporation governing Belmopan (RECONDEV) to bait the strays with strychnine poison capsules in stewed meat.

The result was hundreds of dead dogs—pets that people had cared enough about to bring all the way to Belmopan. From this tragedy, a Hurricane Shelter was envisioned.

A seed of an idea from 1998 was realized by Dewey and Lilly Morison along with 11 like-minded people. In December, with the assistance of the Rotary Club of Belmopan, the Belmopan Humane Society was incorporated and certified. Objectives were set and an application was submitted to the City Council for land to build an animal hurricane shelter.

The first BHS Pet Fair was held at the Governor General Field in April, including a Pet Show and free rabies clinic. In December, the first edition of our quarterly newsletter, B.A.R.K.S, was launched. The BHS also purchased and renovated an old school bus, transforming it into a mobile animal health clinic for outlying villages and an educational tool.

On February 29th, our 99-year lease to one acre of land was officially handed over and clearing began.

In October, the BHS became an officially registered NGO. By December, the land was cleared and leveled, three sides were fenced, and five fenced dog pens with gates and cement pads were constructed. A shed, a rainwater vat, and a large tool shed were also erected on the property.

After creative fundraising and volunteer work, fencing around the one-acre property was completed. Landscaping began and two picnic tables were donated. The Belmopan City Council donated limestone chippings for the driveway and pens. To date, the dog run area was used as an emergency shelter for 4 dogs, all adopted to great homes.

Don Thompson moved onto the property to act as a watchman. Proceeds from the "Alice in Wonderland Tea-party" allowed BHS to purchase and move a building to the property. With voluntary efforts from membership, the Men’s Club, and work parties, the building was restored into a functional resource center.

A second Tea-party fundraiser allowed BHS to raise the building, build a caretaker room downstairs, and install a water vat and eco-friendly waste disposal system. A portable container housing a toilet, sink, and shower was acquired from the Ministry of Public Works and made functional.

A solar system was donated and installed. A beautiful mahogany library was built for the Resource Center. A US Embassy grant funded an after-school program for young at-risk boys, and "Be Kind Belize" proudly graduated 152 children.

The decision was made to create a functioning spay/neuter clinic. The resource center was updated and the clinic downstairs was built by volunteers, with a big thank you to major financial contributor Tom Tullsen.

The Spay & Neuter clinic was up and running. Plans to build a proper Hurricane Shelter were shelved, as it became evident it would not be sustainable, and funds were better used in areas of active rescue and rehabilitation.

Many upgrades were made including repairing the solar system and resource center due to hurricane damage. Active rescue, rehab, and rehoming of dogs and cats remained the Society’s primary focus.

A grant was achieved and BHS was officially hooked up to city water and BEL electricity, with many thanks to the Summerlee Foundation of Texas, USA.

Foreign Vets (Vet Ventures) from the USA provided a free clinic for 2 days, successfully spaying and neutering 58 dogs and cats. BHS monthly clinics continued to be highly successful.

Foreign vets once again provided a free clinic, spaying and neutering 120 animals. A new roof was also built over the existing dog pens.

BHS hosted their first Open House featuring free vet checkups, a dog wash, and BBQ. We collaborated with the Ministry of Health for 3 simultaneous anti-rabies campaigns in local parks. Additionally, Clara Lee Arnold sponsored a free clinic for 94 animals at a school in Salvapan.

The BHS underwent restructuring as Dewey Morison left the board (but continued to assist with property development). Lilly Morison retired from the board, handing over operational duties.

During our Mega Clinic with visiting veterinarians, we successfully conducted the very first dog-to-dog blood transfusion, marking a major milestone in our medical capabilities and local veterinary care.