My name is Shauna Morelli. I am originally from Canada and came to Belize with my husband and 3 dogs in October 2016. We got our permanent residency here in November 2018 and have since lost one of our Canadian dogs to old age and acquired 4 more from the streets. I don’t have a ton of spare time but when I do, I enjoy reading, movies, gardening, raising chickens and hanging out with my dogs and family.
I became involved with animal welfare after moving here and seeing things to which I had not previously been exposed. Seeing the hundreds of neglected dogs in our communities and how they suffer broke my heart. Dogs are magical to me, their souls are pure and good and I wish more people could see that.
In April 2017, I rescued a street dog that had been chopped with a machete and contacted CAWS for help; he became a foster fail and led to me joining CAWS. Initially I was a kennel volunteer but that expanded to street rescues, vet visits, adoptions, treasurer and ALL the other roles up to and including president for the past three years. I recently took a step back to dual roles as Treasurer (I am an accountant) and Spay/Neuter Coordinator.
My passion is spay and neuter….it is the only way to break the cycle of unwanted animals here and everywhere else in the world. It is also an amazing opportunity to meet people and talk to them, to give them information about their pets that will keep them as healthy as possible. My proudest achievement was planning and coordinating two huge clinics in ealy 2020 where we spayed and neutered over 300 pets in 14 days. My goal with CAWS is to be able to continue to hold these clinics as frequently as possible.
Favorite quote. That one is hard. I have a few:
“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” Edward Everett Hale
“Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.” Arthur Ashe
“Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.”
and this one I say to myself when I send a dog over the Rainbow Bridge:
“Good night, sweet prince (princess) / And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.” William Shakespeare”
