Potcakes

The potcake is the mixed-breed dog of the Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas, named after the caked rice and pea crust scraped from the bottom of the cooking pot and fed to them. They are medium sized, short coated, and there are a great many of them, which is the problem the rescue operation on Providenciales exists to address. Potcake Place takes in puppies, and visitors can walk one on the beach for a couple of hours, which socialises the dog and, often enough, ends with the visitor adopting it. Adopted dogs are flown out as accompanied baggage by volunteers.

What you actually see

• The puppy walks - taking a rescue dog to the beach for a couple of hours.
• The rescue operation - at Saltmills Plaza on Providenciales.
• The flying volunteers - visitors carrying adopted dogs out as baggage.
• The breed itself - the islands' own mixed type, everywhere.

When to go

Year-round. Puppy walks are handed out on a first-come basis at opening in the morning and go quickly, so arrive early. The operation runs on volunteers and hours can vary.

Honest expectations

Puppy walks are limited and go within minutes of opening; turning up at midday means missing out. Adoption is a serious commitment with paperwork, vet requirements and import rules in your own country. Feeding or taking in street dogs on holiday without going through the rescue helps nobody. There is a real stray problem behind the charm.

Nearby

Saltmills Plaza is on the Grace Bay strip; the beach is a short walk.