The History of the Esther Honey Foundation
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The Esther Honey Foundation, Inc. (EHF) was founded by US tourist and animal advocate Cathy Sue Ragan-Anunsen in 1994 following a 1993 holiday in the Cook Islands. While in Rarotonga, Ms Ragan-Anunsen befriended a Rarotongan dog named “Honey” and learned that there were no veterinary services in the country for its thousands of cats and dogs.
Ragan-Anunsen returned to her home in Oregon and with the help of her colleagues, friends and family, she began to assemble all of the components to establish the Cook Islands' only veterinary hospital: a volunteer veterinary team, drugs, supplies and equipment. In 1995, following two years of organization and solicitation, The Esther Honey Foundation Animal Clinic, (named after the Raro canine and in honour of Ragan-Anunsen's grandmother) opened its doors to the Rarotonga community.
The small house rented by the foundation served as both hospital and volunteer residence. The first “surgery suite” was a patio with a weathered picnic table and the yard provided a “recovery lawn”.
Over the next 14 years, EHF's founder recruited 208 veterinarians and thousands of support staff volunteers. The foundation and its supporters continue to provide all of the drugs and supplies required to treat more than 25,700 animals. Ms Ragan-Anunsen's dedication and perseverance resulted in more than $3.5 million US dollars in veterinary goods and services being delivered to the Esther Honey Foundation Animal Clinic since 1995.
The facility continues to provide skilled and compassionate veterinary care, emergency services, humane education, humane population management and shelter to thousands of Cook Islands’ animals.
Soon after its arrival in 1995, the foundation created EHF VET TREKS® to reach those animals in remote locations who, without EHF, would never see a veterinarian. The foundation recently completed it's 104th VET TREK.
Ms. Ragan-Anunsen continues to work full time for the foundation as the organization’s CEO and Board President. EHF is one of the longest running and most successful island nation veterinary services in the world and has earned its respected global profile.
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Honey & Friends |
According to the Lonely Planet guidebook on Rarotonga and the Cook Islands, "The oldest archaeologically dated item in the Cook Islands is a dog skull dated at 2,300 years old, found on the island of Pukapuka." Many traditional Cook Islands dogs appear to be Dr.
Seuss-like creatures (See Discover Magazine on our site's News and Articles Page Click Here ) with full sized bodies on stubby little Dachshund-like legs.  Their dispositions are extraordinarily sweet and they are, by necessity, highly resourceful. These intelligent, charming animals love to interact with the tourists and assume the role of welcoming ambassadors for the islands. Dogs, such as Honey, who are connected with a tourist accommodation, learn to assess each new motel guest to determine which parties are most likely to provide dog snacks and meals during their stay. The congenial companions form bonds that last for the customary two week vacation stay and as the second week draws to a close, the dogs are back to greeting the motel van to secure the next two weeks' meals.
Ragan-Anunsen's experience with Honey during her 1993 vacation is typical of other island visitors' then and now. After arriving at the motel, one of the first friendly faces to greet Ragan-Anunsen was Honey's. The Raro dog escorted the woman to her room and soon became a constant companion. Each morning, Honey walked with her new friend to the road that encircles the island and waited for the arrival of the island bus. After each day of enjoying island activities, Honey was waiting to accompany her temporary guardian across the same road to watch the sunset. Strolling along the ocean's edge, they waded together in the warm waves until nestling down on their blanket to watch the sunset. Honey carefully, but confidently, took her place at the blanket's edge and the two quietly watched the sun ease into the Pacific Ocean. Honey stood guard at the door throughout the night and joined Ragan-Anunsen in the morning for a breakfast of fresh papayas and coconut.
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Ms. Ragan-Anunsen shared the following message with EHF's Charity Auction attendees:
"The Esther Honey Foundation was inspired by one brilliant, engaging, golden dog, who touched one person. I am honoured to be that person and to have been able to respond to Honey, her friends and her island community’s need. My contribution was and remains only the starting point. If not for the thousands of people over the past 15 years who learned of a need and instead of continuing on their way, asked, “How can I help?” the effort to bring care where none existed would have ended with my return to Oregon.
Because of this lovely mix of incredible, like-minded people, the concept of establishing a clinic half-way around the world (before e-mail!) evolved from an unlikely and optimistic vision to reality.
Charlie Powell, Communication Director at Washington State University Veterinarian School, responded to my call with an offer to “write about your project’s needs in my newsletter.”
Veterinarians, Dr. Byron Maas and Dr. Barry Nicholls and young Jared Sather placed their regular lives “on hold” to travel to an island they'd never heard of to help build a clinic with only the most basic equipment and supplies, a wringer washing machine. Ingenious and generous Cook Islanders joined the effort to turn an old motorcycle shed into a surgery suite.
Over the past decade, organizations such as WSPA, HSUS, pharmaceutical companies and other businesses, individual donors, and volunteers have given their funds, time, skills, goods and their hearts to keep this program growing, to ensure that someone is there when a dog or cat is crushed, poisoned, sick or abandoned.
Talented writers and other media professionals such as Erin Hirn of May Street Productions who flew their crew to Rarotonga to film the story of EHF’s efforts to save dogs targeted for destruction ignite interest in our work and the plight of island nation dogs all over the world.
Veterinarians, vet students and interns travel to the clinic at their own expense to contribute and to improve their skills. In some cases, their experience with Esther Honey changes their life course to one dedicated to helping animals in need.
Looking at the list of the magnificent donations to this auction from Cook Islands and New Zealand businesses and individuals, it is easy to see that the circle of support and the number of those asking, “How can I help?” continues to expand. It is gratifying be a part of an organization initiated by one powerful little dog and continued by a diverse coalition of extraordinary people who form the heart and soul of the Esther Honey Foundation. Thank you.”
The following observations were sent to us recently by a tourist. They reflect the consensus of both locals and visitors regarding EHF's impact on the Cook Islands' animal population:
"My husband & I have just returned home to Australia from a holiday in the Cook Islands. I conduct research into the human-companion animal relationship and companion animal animal welfare. As part of this, I work closely with a number of animal shelters here. This means of course, I can never resist the opportunity to visit welfare facilities whenever I travel. I was honoured to visit the EHF hospital and spent some time with Greg, one of your volunteers. I was very impressed with the enthusiasm of the volunteer staff and the level of care provided for the animals. My husband and I both commented that the animals on the Island seemed surprisingly healthy and well looked after compared to other communities. I think this is a testament to the positive impact that the Foundation has had over the years.
Warmest wishes and our congratulations on making such an obvious difference to the gentle dogs of Raro and the Islands."
Dr. Linda Marston PhD |
►To Donate to the Esther Honey Foundation: Click Here
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EHF does not sell, rent or lend the names or email addresses of our supporters. |
► To Contact EHF: Click Here
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"THE PROGRAM IS
A GREAT SUCCESS..."
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"HSI (Humane Society International)
has informally published the
proceedings of the Island
Nations Conference and
in this document, four organizations
report on successful programs.
The one which will be of most interest
to you is the first. Cathy Sue Ragan- Anunsen founded the Esther Honey
Foundation in 1993 to provide
veterinary care for the animals of
Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.
The program is a great success,
reaching out to other neighboring
islands and making a huge difference
for the animals.
Not only has her project served as
a model for others, but she has been
incredibly generous in sharing
information and giving encouragement
to others who want to establish a similar
program elsewhere.
She is a wonderful example of
what can be accomplished
by one caring,committed individual."
Janet Frake,
Humane Society International
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►THEN: Statesman Journal 1995
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►NOW: Statesman Journal 2009
Foundation improves lives of island animals
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In an interview in The Cook Islands Herald,
Cook Islander Tom Wichman discussed
the improvements in animal health that he
has witnessed since Esther Honey arrived
in the Cook Islands more than a decade ago.
Excerpts from that interview follow:
►THEN:
Sick animals, shootings and bad publicity
“Eleven years ago,” Tom said, “cats and
dogs were breeding and many were sick
and dying because there was no treatment
available.
The police started shooting dogs.
If they (the dogs) didn’t die immediately,
they ran
and the police would shoot them again
or beat them to death
to finish the job.
It caused us very bad publicity with
the tourists, many of whom were
animal lovers.”
►NOW:
Improved care & health
Now there is a very big difference.
“People take better care of their animals.
When an animal is sick, they know
who to call, Esther Honey.
We come and pick the animals up.”
Good for tourism
“We receive letters from tourists,
saying how good the work we are doing is.
It is very good for Rarotonga’s image.
Tourists tell me it is really sad
how other countries treat their animals.”
Humane Education changing attitudes
Tom pointed to EHF’s Humane Education
program and the role it has played
in changing attitudes.
“From the beginning, EHF volunteers
have gone into the schools to talk
with the children” about compassionate
and respectful animal care.
“There is a new generation growing up…”
he explained, “We teach them that
animals have feelings and need to be
fed and watered every day not just
now and then."
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Read: Rosanne McKenzie's
A taste of Honey 
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Read: Dogs of Rarotonga
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Client and patient arriving at
EHF VET TREK® Aitutaki
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