Solo female traveller here, flying into BZE late evening so will probably need a driver to get to San Ignacio that night.
What are my options to rent a car in Cayo and drive it back to Belize City? I am finding some companies via google but some websites aren't working.
Someone I know contacted this candidate to see his thoughts on something else being completely and repeatedly neglected by current city officials: the animal overpopulation and neglect/abuse cases as of late. You may remember Chad Kabacz, Irene Lima and Randy Jensen, to name JUST a few this year alone.
While it's a provincial and federal issue too, the city CAN control how funding is used for programs. The city CAN implement FREE spay/neuter programs using animal services revenue from licensing programs. Cat licensing? Yeah. 50% goes to admin, while the rest goes to the humane society. It needs to be disbursed so ALL rescues can use it and to remove barriers (excuses) to people getting their pets spayed and neutered, or treated. We need a city-run clinic that does JUST spay and neuter, or a majorly subsidized private clinic who will. The SNAP program exists, but still charges $20, and they get lots of no shows. Rescues and owners should be able take a stray or their own animal in, and have it fixed. Period. Other major cities do it, and do it well.
Mental health crisis, housing and criminal behavior is all linked to the pet crisis we are in. Shelters are overflowing, and rescue volunteers are always on the brink of mental break from the horrors they see. Anyways, contact your candidates and find out their feelings on this. This is what Mark said:
"I agree that animal abuse, neglect, stray animals, and irresponsible ownership deserve much more attention in our city, particularly in neighbourhoods where these problems are becoming increasingly visible.
Animal welfare is not an isolated issue. It can overlap with housing instability, mental health challenges, public safety, property conditions, and the overall quality of life in our neighbourhoods. We need a response that includes both enforcement and prevention.
If elected as Councillor for Point Douglas, I would advocate for a review of how Winnipeg Animal Services responds to complaints involving abuse, neglect, stray animals, backyard breeding, and repeat problem properties. I would also like to see stronger cooperation between Animal Services, police, community organizations, rescues, shelters, and responsible pet owners.
I believe we should explore practical measures such as stronger enforcement where necessary, better access to affordable spay and neuter programs, education about responsible pet ownership, and better support for reputable rescue organizations that are already doing tremendous work in our community.
I appreciate you bringing this issue forward. I want residents to know that animal welfare will not be dismissed as a minor concern. Protecting vulnerable animals and creating safer, healthier neighbourhoods can and should go hand in hand.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me and for advocating for animals in our community.
Sincerely,
Mark Requinta
Candidate for Councillor – Point Douglas"
I'm home based right now (so almost 100% profit), looking to expand as I believe demand is there based on a year of data.
My issue is leasing overhead costs (I can't believe the rent pricing).
I have 2 properties in fantastic locations I am looking at and would appreciate some opinions.
Option A is 1260sq ft shell space. Its a blank canvas for development but requires significant build out of major components. The landlord doesn't want to do the work, but will provide *some* TI to offset, but I'm still looking at roughly 50k in build out for things I can't take with me but it would be totally customized FOR me. Highly visible location with directly attached, beneficial neighbor tenant for my business. Rent+ CAM is $3400/month.
Option B a 1250 sq ft finished space requires some demo and reno. Looking at 20-30k in build out costs. Not as visible of a location but across the street from a highly beneficial tenant. Rent+CAM is $3800/month.
Is it better to invest heavily at the start in exchange for lower monthly rent/cashflow, or to take the hit in monthly expenses to have lower build out? The build out would eat all of my available financing/savings, but then I worry about a higher rent leaving me with nothing each month too.
I worry about cashflow as I hear that's where most businesses fail fast. I want to atleast survive the 5 year lease at minimum before i have to jump ship if it fails.
I just want to rant for a moment.
Editing to add: before ya'll come at me with your pitchforks and try to say maybe this 'problem' doesn't matter or isn't a problem and I'm just a whiner - it very much is, i'm just not describing the problem because there is still work happening and I don't want to identify anyone else involved or make anyone lose credibility. But it is a HUGE problem in this city - with a proven solution the city won't follow through on. No, it's not drugs or homelessness either.
Winnipeg has a serious lack of qualified people on council, who seemingly don't care about this city, the people and continue to make terrible decisions. And.... feels like there is nothing we can do because the pool of candidates are always terrible or the decent ones don't stand a chance because money talks.
I (and groups) have been dealing with an ongoing and serious issue for 4 years now with council, but this problem has spanned decades. We have written to every level of government, have had a few meetings, even attended standing policy hearings and managed to get them all to vote in favor of implementing change (except you - cranky and unreasonable Janice with the Karen hair.) They even went as far as gathering research and delegating city departments to compile reports which fully supported these changes. The MLA we had involved also fully supported and coordinated meetings with them.
2 years now, they haven't follow through. I've RESPECTFULLY been following up since, semi-regularly, and while Evan Duncan responds and is also curious what happened (he's my councillor), he passes the buck. Vivian Santos is the councillor for the portfolio that oversees this, and she used to respond with platitudes, reasons and "we'll look into it" type stuff, but now doesn't even respond.
I haven't bothered with the other councillors because they are all the same. The mayor would rather do PR stunts at dog parks and with mural artists than make meaningful changes.
It feels like this city insists on staying the same. We are never progressive. We are never making decisions in the best interest of citizens, and we are determined to always be that have not place who refuses to deal with the issues that make this city undesirable even when solutions are literally handed to them.
I don't really know the purpose of this post. I'm just frustrated and hate it here. The upcoming elections don't give me hope either, we lack good, experienced people who want to run (drunk jesus is running FFS) or who are easily bought. We haven't had a good council since before Katz. And Katz really showed how cooked this city is.
I board cats. I have a fancy cat hotel. I've worked in animal welfare for 25 years. I have dealt with some very aggressive cats and still been able to board them. I do my due diligence, have questionnaires, waivers etc.
But this one took the cake. Owner dropped him off last night. Before he even got in the door, he's screaming bloody murder. Hissing and growling is a regular thing so I brush it off. We get him to his room and i let him chill for a minute. All she said on his form was 'anxiety'.
Anytime me or his owner approached, he completely lost it, lunged for our faces and parkored off everything. Only then, owner tells me he has had behavioral issues and has bitten her and others and she wants to rehome him. She's scared of her own cat.
Then she left. Said she had a flight to catch in the AM. I was up all night worrying about him, my other guests were upset, and this poor cat was terrified.
This morning I called all my cat friends and we managed to get a vet and his team out. Prepared to sedate him and then move him to medical boarding at a clinic. They ended up being able to corral him without sedation, and the owner made arrangements to have someone meet us at her house.
Cat was returned home and... was totally normal.
I wish people would be honest, and also take cat care seriously. I am very upfront about boarding being stressful and not recommended unless for long durations or medications. I advocate in home sitting, always. And this cat is proof why. Poor guy.
Winnipeg -
I am trying to get an idea of what code is for my specific business and the draftsman I hired keeps saying "its subjective". I asked thr city and they tols me to ask my draftsman because its 'design advice'.
Specifically, I want a vestibule installed to avoid escapes (it's a pet business). My exterior door has power controls for accessibility already. What I'm reading says the vestibule doesn't need it IF there'als an outwards swing door and if it's big enough for wheelchair. I don't want to install it if the city won't pass it and I have to install a $6,000 door control.
I need clarification on this before I build it otherwise I need to find another solution. Any ideas how to get it?
I'm preparing to rent my first commercial space to grow my existing home based business. Located in Manitoba.
There's a spot that's been for lease for 2 years I've been wanting. The landlord finally demised it into smaller units, and has leased 2 of 3 units. There is 1 remaining unit, which happens to be the one I want. The problem for me is, it's a shell space. They have demised the walls, and have 200A electrical panel installed, but no bathroom, no electrical... nothing.
1200sq ft. They are asking $3500/month rent including CAM. This seems ridiculous to me given all the work required.
I want to go in asking for the world because I think they'll negotiate given it's been 2 years. Will they laugh at me if I go in asking for rent $2900/month, TI of $20/sq ft, and for the landlord to put in basic electrical, bathroom, HVAC? Any suggestions on how to get the best possible deal here to keep my monthly rent lower and not go way over budget on construction? I'm an attractive tenant for the block based on my related business and the neighboring business.
Hi all,
not new to Belize but I'm going back solo and struggling with the logistics a bit.
I've done San Ignacio>San Pedro before. Did ATM/Xuantunich/Hol Chan last time.
I'm wanting to do different activities and wondering where you'd recommend staying as I can't figure out distances. I want something near the river and lost in the jungle.
I'm wanting to see either Tikal or Cahal Pech this trip. I found a great place to stay near Belmopan but I think that may be too far. Any recommendations where to stay that is really in the jungle but nearby SI?
Because I'm solo (female), should I rent a car for my days on the mainland or will a Taxi be just as much?
I just received a call (after I had another phishing scam type call for my business) stating they were calling from Google Ads and wanted to speak with the manager (I'm a home business, it's just me). They didn't use my name or anything, just asked to speak with ___ business and the manager.
This is a fraud, isn't it? I did run a Google Ad long ago but haven't lately, and the phone number on my account is different than the one they called me at which tells me it might be linked with the phishing scam before.
In Canada - I just got a very legit looking email from someone claiming to be from CIPO, stating they have examined by application and in order to apply for Protection I needed to pay the remaining invoice. They had all my personal info already, I didn't give them any new info, especially not any financial info. I recently applied for a trademark so I guess they pulled it off the database.
Once I got their email with instructions, I noted it came from a strange address and was a "pay now" link. I googled and sure enough it's a known scam.
My question is... what happens, now that they know my business and what not.. if they start targeting my Google reviews and anything else? I've heard that's an extortion scam too.
I have been running a small cat/small critter boarding business from my home for the last 2 years. I started on one of the popular platforms for a month before just going it alone (plus they took a lot of fees...) And the response I've had has been fantastic. I built 6 spots in my home for boarding and I'm full most of the year. I turn away requests a fair amount, though not sure it's enough to justify overhead costs. Plus, I haven't done any advertising in over a year.... all my business is from search engines or word of mouth.
I'm looking at opening an actual location and operating similarly to what I do now. I work full time M-F unfortunately, and would not leave my secure and well paying job until I know the business is profitable to live off of. So for the first couple years, I would need to hire someone to do mornings, while I do evenings/weekends.
My question to everyone is:
How do we feel about no overnight staff? I've done some research and looks like the only places who have overnight 'cat staff' are the dog facilities who have cat boarding attached (which I hate for obvious reasons). Dogs are completely different obviously and need someone there to be let outside/prevent fights etc. The cat-only places don't have staff after 10pm. Neither do any of our rescues/shelters/vet clinics. I can understand the concern with fire/crime/CO, etc but I would put measures in place like cameras, sensors, alarms, etc, and will live about 10-15 minutes away or less.
What does your area do? Do your cat hotels have overnight staff? Is this a huge deterrent? As a cat owner, I don't know I would personally use a service without overnight staff because that's the point of boarding, but I also just get a drop in sitter when I go away and my cat's are without anyone most of the time anyway so it doesn't make sense to me. Thoughts?
Hi folks,
I'll start by saying I'm in my 40s, not new to the workforce at all or owning a business. However, I have been a civil servant for the last 21 years and I found a passion which I turned into a legit business 2 years ago and it just keeps growing. But, because I'm limited on space in my home, i can't grow any more. I'm toying with the idea of opening up a brick and mortar location to expand services, while still working my job full time (that dang pension...) but there's a few concerns I have I'm wondering if any other small business owners can comment on.
is it really that hard to find good staff? I keep hearing no one wants to work/not reliable, or the ones who do want way above their "worth" (meaning they want top pay for no experience).
is this economy as bad as it seems? or is your business still doing fine when you look at pre-covid and recovery from covid?
Has anyone juggled starting a physical business location while still working full time? What were some mistakes you made or things that worked well?
Hello,
Based in Manitoba. I'm a very small home based business owner with a pet sitting company. I have been around for over a year. My business name is registered with my province.
I've just been made aware an American company with a presence in Canada acquired another pet sitting platform in the US (not yet in Canada) and it shares the same name/similar name to mine. From what I can search on CIPO, they haven't applied to trademark the name in Canada yet, so I just did but I know that database isn't current if applications were done in the last couple months.
I'm just wondering what else I should be doing to try and protect myself (I don't really care about the name, I just don't want to have to rebrand and confuse my clients). Would I have common-law rights to the name in my Province since I was here first? An information anyone can provide would be so appreciated.