Our History
From a village dog show in 1999 to a permanent clinic serving the entire Peninsula — the story of how PHS came to be.
How It All Started
The Placencia Humane Society had its start at a dog show — where a small group of Placencia residents gathered with Dr. Michael DeShield and his wife Miriam to discuss the needs of local pets and their owners.
PHS was founded and elected its first officers on October 28, 1999. Originally a sub-chapter of the Belize City Humane Society, it incorporated as an independent Belize not-for-profit membership corporation in 2005.
With Dr. Mike and Miriam’s help, PHS began sponsoring regular monthly vet clinics — a challenging task in a small village in southern Belize.
Building From Nothing
Supplies were stored at volunteers’ houses and transported — often by wheelbarrow — to wherever the clinic was being held that month. Sometimes it was in someone’s kitchen. Clinics usually had running water, but not always, and rarely surgical lighting or an exam table.
Despite the challenges, PHS’s first year was a remarkable success. In 1999–2000, PHS provided 112 vaccinations, 22 dog spays/neuters, 15 cat spays/neuters, and 4 TVT treatments — raising BZ$5,620 through donations and fundraising events.
112
Vaccinations
37
Spays & Neuters
BZ$5,620
Raised
Through Hurricane Iris
In 2001, Category 4 Hurricane Iris devastated Placencia and Seine Bight Villages. Emergency clinics were held in half-destroyed buildings. Dr. Mike and Miriam slept on the beach in a tent while providing emergency veterinary care to Peninsula animals.
Many people were homeless. There was no electricity, no water, no roads. But the love of the Peninsula’s animals kept the dedicated volunteers going — and PHS kept the clinics running.
By late 2002, Peninsula communities were back on their feet, and PHS reached an agreement with the Placencia Village Council to use the Community Center for monthly clinics.
Finding a Permanent Home
For years, finding a stable location for the clinic consumed significant volunteer time. In 2011, that changed when Frangipani Limited — Franco Gentile and Mariuccia Levoni — leased a small piece of land on the Placencia Lagoon to PHS for BZ$100 per year.
PHS built a small clinic building on the property featuring an air-conditioned surgical and examination room, storage, and a waiting area. For the first time, the clinic had a real home.
PHS has since expanded its reach into the neighboring communities of Santa Cruz, Georgetown, and Independence — and continues to subsidize veterinary care for those who can’t afford it.
PHS Today
From a BZ$6,000 annual budget in 2000 to BZ$40,000 by 2015. Less than 5% goes to operating expenses — nearly 95% goes directly to animal care programs. PHS has expanded into Santa Cruz, Georgetown and Independence, partnered with visiting vet groups, and continues its core monthly clinic that Peninsula residents depend on.
Every Dollar Goes Back to the Animals
Join us as a donor, member, or volunteer.