The St. Croix Animal Welfare Center (SCAWC) was founded in 1973. Our mission is to provide and promote the humane treatment of animals through humane education, animal protection, and community service. Our duty is to the orphaned, abused, neglected, and unwanted animals of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands.

The SCAWC is the only open-admission animal shelter on the island of St. Croix. That means we do not turn away any animal in need. Each year, more than 3,000 homeless dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens come through our doors. We give each one of them humane care and the best possible chance at a forever home. Our programs also work to combat the root causes of animal overpopulation, and to help pets stay in their homes with the families who love them. Your generous donations fund all of this work.

Your membership and support are essential to our ability to continuously meet the demand of fulfilling our mission. Whether volunteering your time or contributing funds, every person can make a real difference.

As the only open-admission animal shelter on the island, the SCAWC takes in more than 3,000 dogs and cats each year. We find new homes for them here on St. Croix, and in the States through our Paws from Paradise transfer program. Our Community Clinic veterinary team helps thousands more owned pets get affordable medical care, so they can stay with the families who love them. We offer low-cost spay/neuter surgeries to every pet owner on the island. Project SAFE, our community outreach program, goes door-to-door to reach those who are in significant need of our services, but may not be able to access care for their pets. Our Trap/Neuter/Vaccinate/Return program for unowned and feral cats provides a humane solution to feline overpopulation. With limited assistance from the Virgin Islands government, we are able respond to calls from our community to rescue stray and abandoned animals in distress. We also support and assist the investigative efforts of the VI police department’s animal cruelty and neglect officer.

Join our pack – Adopt! Volunteer! Donate! Foster! Contact us at the SCAWC today – you can help make a difference!