Help COPA Guadeloupe Save and House Stray Cats and Dogs
$4,327.31
Raised
153
Donations
$50,000
Goal
Hi, I'm Ralf Little and I have set up this page in collaboration with the nonprofit organization COPA Guadeloupe to continue my efforts to help connect stray animals in the Caribbean with adoptive families who can give them the love, support, and safety that they need.
If you're reading this, you may know me for my role as DI Neville Parker on BBC One's Death in Paradise, which is filmed on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe. Since joining the series in 2019, I've spent enough time in the Caribbean for it to feel like home. Even when I'm not filming, my partner Lindsey and I enjoy exploring its many islands.
However, as an animal lover, it has been hard for me to turn a blind eye to the countless stray dogs and cats on the island's streets. Dora was one of these "street dogs" when she happened to wander onto the set of Death in Paradise and, from there, into my heart. A year later, I also found and fell in love with Suzy, another stray dog on the island. After adopting Suzy and bringing her back to America, she was tragically killed by a car. In her memory, I did a fundraiser for the Saint Marten based organization SXM Paws, who had helped me get Suzy into the United States. Thanks to your generous support, we were able to donate over 25,000 pounds to SXM Paws! I am now happy to announce that I am partnering with a Guadeloupe based animal rescue organization called COPAG.
This past year, while on the set of Death in Paradise, a gorgeous puppy I came to call Canelle wandered on set and...we can all guess what happened next. I knew I was going to have to rescue her.
I contacted COPA Guadeloupe, a volunteer-run organization that is always ready to come to the rescue of any animal in need of love, care, and protection. The amazing volunteers at COPAG make sure that all stray cats or dogs receive medical attention and socialization, and are matched with a foster family while they wait to find their forever homes in mainland France or Guadeloupe. With their help, Canelle received immediate care and was soon matched with her forever family.
One of the most amazing things about COPA Guadeloupe is that they believe every animal is worth fighting for and deserves a second chance. COPAG rescues an average of 4-5 animals every day and, since their creation in 2016, they have saved nearly 8,000 cats and dogs. Because COPAG does not turn any animal away, regardless of health or age, they spend an average of 15-18,000 Euros per month on veterinary bills. As COPAG is entirely run by volunteers and does not profit from their work, they are dependent on the donations and charity of others.
Due to the number of rescues COPAG does, they have been struggling to find foster homes for all of their animals. For this reason, COPAG has plans to build an on-site housing area for any cats and dogs that haven't been matched with foster families yet, pending approval in 2023. The structure will be able to hold 9 adult dogs and 9 adult cats at a time, as well as kittens and puppies. This would enable them to help even more animals find their forever homes.
100% of donations received will go directly to COPA Guadeloupe and will be used to fund spay and neuter operations as well as heart worm treatments. Animals who are spayed and de-wormed have a much higher chance of being adopted. Once COPAG's building project is approved, funds will also be used to pay for the construction of the on-site housing units for cats and dogs waiting to be matched with their forever families
Right now, there are so many dogs and cats with such a great capacity to love living on the streets of Guadeloupe. If you were one of the people who followed the stories of Dora, Suzy, and now Canelle, please consider donating to this amazing organization. Or adopting one of their cats or dogs. Many of COPAG's animals are shipped to mainland France, so if you are located either there or in the UK and you fall in love with one of the animals on their website or social media channels, you can adopt.
This is obviously an ambitious goal and I wholeheartedly believe in COPAG's mission and would be incredibly appreciative of any donations. But, please only donate if you feel you are able. Even just sharing this link and raising awareness would be much appreciated.
Thank you x
Ralf Little
Link to COPA Guadeloupe's Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/copagwada
Link to COPA Guadeloupe's Website:
https://www.copaguadeloupe.com/
Link to COPA Guadeloupe's IG:
https://www.instagram.com/copa_guadeloupe/
Ralf and Canelle
Rescued Animals
COPAG by the numbers in 2022
Donor Wall48
Anne Page | $10
Well done Ralf, a worthy cause.
Carmen | $10
Love the show and love animals so this was an easy donation to make. 😀
Cerys Morris | $10
Thank you for helping x
Yoan | $10
Emma Hamilton-Smith | $50
Such a worthy cause thank you for all you are doing.
Maria | $10
For Life in Paradise
Klerissa | $250
Thank you for supporting the animals Ralf and Lindsey. We are donating in honor of our rescue dogs, Fenway and Lambeau.
Julia | $10
Sass
Thank you for what you’re doing. You are all angels on earth. If you need more, please let me know. I’m trying to get my company involved too (I work for a company, not own it). Love you all for everything you’re doing for the animals. I hope your pillows are always cool and your blankets are always comfortable. Sass Thomas xxx
Colin | $50
Such a worthy cause 💜
Tracey Henshaw
Darren | $10
Donovan Claire | $10
Keep up the good work.
Nichole Bates | $5
❤️
Elizabeth Marie Adams | $10
Tracy | $20
Such a worthy cause. Good Luck ❤️
Susan Adie | $10
Good luck Ralf, amazing thing to be doing. The animals are so lucky to have you ❤️
Ralf Little | $500