Page 11 - HOH

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local Saturday 11 February 2023

Luna Foundation:

“We need more volunteers. More volunteers mean more rescued dogs”

(Oranjestad)—From the
time she arrives on the
property at 8am up to 6pm,
Zoey is still seen taking care
of her sanctuary, making
sure the dogs and animals
are getting enough care.
The Luna Foundation is a
well-known organization
on the island for its beauti-
ful work and dedication for
mistreated or abandoned
dogs. In an interview with
Bon Dia Aruba, founder and
president of the Luna Foun-
dation, Zoey Konijn, shared
how the foundation is cur-
rently running and what is
in store for this year.

Konijn expressed that this
year started with an expan-
sion of the sanctuary. The
property expanded and
the goal of this was to final-
ly construct the retirement
home for old dogs, and a
yard for the puppies to play
it.

She also remarked that to the vet, because we dogs in labor. The Luna assistance with the dogs. showed us their support
there has been a hospital have our hospital. The only Foundation does not actu- “More volunteers mean for our work, and with that
on the property since last problem is we don’t have a ally pick up pregnant dogs more rescued dogs.” fund, we can make the
year, but which only be- stay-in veterinarian, but the from the streets; they most- property even bigger,” she
came active this year. This local vet comes to the hos- ly only pick up dogs that The Luna Foundation cur- indicated.
hospital is only meant for pital when needed,” she have been abused by their rently houses 100 dogs,
the dogs on the property. indicated. owner. However, they do and Konijn says that she is The Luna Foundation is one
see pregnant dogs roam on the property every day, of the 5 foundations that
“If they ever get sick, we She explained that they the streets sometimes, and with others or even alone. have joined forced to cre-
don’t need to take them also have a nursery for they help. Their nursery has “It’s a lot of work. I’m not ate the AWAA foundation.
three cages where the complaining though, I love The task of the Luna Foun-
dogs can peacefully give my work, but it’s not easy. dation is to provide edu-
birth. The more volunteers we cation. This includes go-
can get to help us in here, ing to neighborhoods and
“The plan for this year is to the more dogs we can help schools to education the
start building the retirement out there,” she expressed. public on how to handle
home for the older dogs, their pets.
and to make sure we take In terms of funding, the
in more puppies, because foundation has been re- Konijn also pointed out
other organizations are out ceiving donations from that they need volunteers
of space. We want to help Renaissance Marketplace for this task too, a problem
where we can,” Konijn ex- for two consecutive years that cannot be swept un-
pressed. now. Konijn explained that der the rug after one week-
they work every day, from end of volunteering events.
To achieve this though, 6pm to 10pm, and the “When Aruba Doet takes
they need volunteers. The funds they collected from place, everyone is willing
topic of volunteers remains kids, parents and even tour- to help, but the foundation
a problem and Konijn high- ists all go to the foundation. needs help all year round,
lights that many people ask not just that one weekend.
for help but no one offers “We work hard for this, and The more volunteers we
help to the organization Arubans showed up. The have, the more the founda-
that are in need of more island came together and tion can do,” she added.q
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