Heading to the gorgeous islands of Turks and Caicos for your postwedding getaway? There’s one special spot you have to check out: Potcake Place in Grace Bay, Providenciales. Potcake Place is an animal shelter that allows volunteers to take puppies on a walk in order to socialize the dogs while they’re young to increase their chance of adoption.
My partner and I had heard about this opportunity before our recent trip. Being the obsessed dog people that we are, we couldn’t pass it up. We showed up at the shelter a little before 10 a.m.—right when it opens—and there was already a line! If you’re going, it’s best to show up a little early, as it varies day by day how many puppies are available to walk. We got paired with our little one, Jade (sister of Bubba—how cute is that?). We were able to walk her across the street (or more like carry her, since she was a bit scared at first) and take her to the beach. The shelter workers gave us a bag fully equipped with toys, water, treats and baggies.
We spent a little over two hours with her (the dogs have to be returned to the shelter by 12:45 p.m. for naptime and lunch) and they were the most rewarding two hours of our trip. We saw this shy little pup really come out of her shell, and by the end of it, she was walking on her leash like a champ—mostly in the shade though, since the pavement in the sun hurt her little paws—and really starting to connect with us.
After the time we spent with her, we both really fell in love with Jade. We considered adopting (the adoption fee is free—the shelter just asks for a donation, and to pay for travel costs) but with our busy work schedules and living in New York City, we just didn’t think it was fair to Jade. But the little gal stole our hearts, for sure.
The shelter stresses that this is not an excursion, and gives you a set of rules to follow with the animals (keep them on the leash, give them water). The program is a chance for you and your new spouse to give back during your honeymoon and help a puppy get ready for adoption—you could even end up with a third passenger on your way home! What a nice beginning to your new life together.
