Potcake Place
Saltmills Plaza, 363 Grace Bay Road, Grace Bay, Providenciales
Potcake Place is a non-profit dog rescue shelter, with a location in central Grace Bay at the Saltmills Plaza. This charity is a popular attraction to see the unique island dog that is the Potcake, and to take puppies out for walks on the world-famous Grace Bay Beach.
What Is a Potcake?
The Potcake is a unique breed of island dogs found in the Turks and Caicos and Bahamas. These dogs are a mixture of several breeds, including terriers used for rodent control on ships in days past, pets and working dogs brought in with the Loyalist settlers in the late 1700s and early 1800s, and possibly even the small barkless hunting dogs introduced to the Caribbean region by the Taino peoples prior to the arrival of Columbus.
Potcakes tend to be mid to smaller in size (with a typical mature weight of 40-65 pounds or 18-30 kg), and colors include browns, blacks, creams, tans, and whites, both solid colors and combinations. The Potcake tends to be a very friendly dog, especially when raised around people.
The Potcake name is derived from what was the traditional food source for the canines: the cake of solidified rice and legumes left in the bottom of the cooking pot after making the staple of peas n’ rice, a spicy rice and bean side dish.
Potcake Beach Socialization Walks
An increasingly popular activity (and one that’s starting to receive some international attention) is for guests to take the puppies for walks on Grace Bay Beach. Along with the benefit of being able to spend time on the beach with incredibly cute pups, the beach walks also help to socialize the dogs.
Beach socialization walks are allowed from Monday to Saturday, from 10 AM to 1 PM. Puppies may be out for a maximum of two hours. Time slots for walking puppies are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. There may be shortages of available Potcakes, especially during the busy “high season”, so we advise arriving at the Potcake Place early.
Puppy Adoption
The Potcake Place has first and foremost been an animal rescue, and as such is constantly attempting to find safe homes for the countless abandoned and abused dogs in the Turks and Caicos. Many of the wards at Potcake Place were puppies found in dire straits.
The adaptation process at Potcake Place is simple and straight forwarded. All applicants must be a minimum age of 25, and an application form must be filled out. There is no charge, yet donations are appreciated.
All dogs will have had vaccines appropriate for their age, and a veterinarian’s certificate of health is provided with adaptations for entry into the USA and Canada. Visit the Potcake Place location in Grace Bay, or see their website for more details.
Volunteering and Donations
As a non-profit charity, Potcake Place is in constant need of donations, transport of supplies into the Turks and Caicos, and the couriering of adopted dogs out of the Turks and Caicos.
Puppy Couriers
Many puppies and dogs are adopted by visitors and those who live outside the Turks and Caicos, and at times it’s not possible for the puppies to travel home with their new family initially.
Potcake Place will meet departing volunteers at the Providenciales International Airport with the dog, and makes all of the necessary arrangements for travel, including permits and health certificates, an airline-approved pet transporter, supplies, and meeting details at the arrival airport.
Donations and Supplies
Donations, both monetary and in the way of supplies, are greatly appreciated and are a necessity for Potcake Place to continue operating. For lists of products and items in need, and for direct contributions, see the Potcake Place website.
Fostering
Residents and long-term visitors to the Turks and Caicos are also welcome to foster Potcakes. All supplies, food, and veterinary care is provided.
Located at Saltmills Plaza
The Saltmills Plaza is a retail and professional enclave, located in the heart of Grace Bay on Providenciales. The plaza is home to many shops, a police station, a bank, law firms, and government offices. Adjacent to the Saltmills Plaza are the Regent Village and Le Vele Plaza.