Turks & Caicos’ Famous Four-Legged Friends

By Layton Lewis

There’s so much to love about Turks and Caicos – friendly people, sunny weather, world class resorts and villas, breathtaking crystalline beaches and last, but by no means least, our now famous four-legged residents known as potcakes.

If you’ve never heard the term potcake before now, it is used to refer to the local breed of dogs in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The name is derived from the practice of locals feeding their dogs the leftovers of the meals from their cooking pot which is referred to as ‘potcake’. 

Growing up in Turks and Caicos, having a potcake puppy is almost a birthright. It is typical for families to naturally adopt and care for them. Potcakes are loyal, loving and very protective of their owners – they can almost be referred to as “The National Dog of the Turks and Caicos Islands”. 

Although there are many of these dogs who are naturally taken in, there are a lot who are not and The Potcake Place has come to the rescue. 

The Potcake Place is a dog rescue charity based in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos that is committed to adopting potcakes in the country. Their mission statement being “to reduce the number of homeless potcakes on the island” adds to the commitment of making sure every potcake that comes into their organization can find a safe home. 

Located in the heart of Grace Bay, Providenciales at the Saltmills Plaza, this walk-in friendly establishment allows residents and visitors to pop in and meet the adorable pups that they’ve rescued and even adopt them for the day. Providing the ultimate care on a day-to-day basis, the volunteers at The Potcake Place do everything from taking the puppies on beach trips to taking care of them at home to get them socialized. These helpers are experts at screening potential families to adopt these precious pups.

The volunteers also work with veterinarians to ensure that the pups get their vaccinations, wormers, other treatments and certifications that are needed. The organization is 100% volunteer based and is not for profit. Donations in cash or kind are suggested and there is no cost to adopt a puppy. 

There are a number of ways visitors can support this charity however the most popular is to assist with the socialization of the puppies by “adopting” one for a few hours. Our potcakes love the beach and often visitors enjoy taking them for walks along the renowned Grace Bay Beach. This opportunity is available on a first come, first serve basis and because of its growing popularity, it is recommended to secure your spot by arriving early. 

There are also opportunities to permanently adopt a puppy, be a courier for a family that is waiting to welcome their newest family member or you can assist by bringing items from the organization’s wish list to aid in the care of the puppies. Click here to visit The Potcake Place’s website to find our more information on this amazing organization. 

For more information on the Turks and Caicos Islands and to begin planning a vacation please visit Turks and Caicos Islands Official Tourism website. 

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