Dear Mayor Maribel A. Eusebio:

We, animal lovers and citizens worldwide, are put off with the condition of the dogs under the so-called care of the Pasig City pound.  You may refer to the provided Facebook page link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Justice-for-Dogs-at-Pasig-City-Pound/446428738822041

PLEASE WATCH "How they handle dogs in their care" in the video link here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I14G5rq-zsU

We have reports from volunteers pertaining to the condition of the Pasig City Pound and their demand to take immediate course of action. Please take note that these volunteers have been helping the city pound since Oct 29, 2013.

•We, the volunteers were scheduled to feed the dogs at 5:00 PM but “Kuya George” was hesitant on unlocking the padlocks for us to proceed feeding the dogs. We asked “Kuya George” kindly, if possible, relocate each dogs to individual kennels to avoid brawling over each provided food bowls. “Kuya George” annoyingly responded with “Eh ‘di wag mong pakainin” (Then, don’t feed them!). “Kuya George” was being difficult with our request as he unsympathetically hauls 5 new captured dogs inside the pound.

•There was even an incident that the caretaker “Kuya George” placed a new born puppy in a sack of dog food then amusingly laughs at what he did.

•As we have observed, the pound is over its capacity. The pound has 24 cages and only 23 of them are safe to be occupied. Even so, each kennel does not have appropriate pads/mats for the dogs to be able to rest and walk inside the cages. Most, if not all kennels are rusty, poorly sanitized and crowded. This is clearly a health hazard. The city pound is in need of major repair. Restoring the pound will not only control the spread of communicable diseases between dogs but for the safety and health concerns of the volunteers and caretaker/s.

•The city pound has a rapid increase of “Surrendered Dogs” on a weekly basis. The volunteers have reached out to the Pasig Host Lions Club and the Pasig Achievers Leo Club in helping us reach out to all Barangays in educating the mass on Responsible Pet Ownership. It came to a point that the city pound reached a staggering number of 50 dogs trying to fit in all 24 kennels. More than half of these impounded dogs magically disappeared. Currently, all 18 dogs are all accounted for. This volume increased compared to the volume of 15 dogs featured last December 2nd, 2013 from GMA’s TV show “Born to be Wild”.

•John and Shirly Hughes, a husband-wife team, founded the Dog Mountain Sanctuary. They have fully supported the city pound by adopting dogs that needs special care. We request that the local government provide a signed document recognizing their utmost support and to maintain contact regarding the condition of the adopted dogs.

•We, as volunteers spend most of our time taking charge of the city pound. We seek your immediate attention to sit down with us and discuss how to effectively manage the cleanliness and orderliness of the pound. The local government cannot rely solely on us, volunteers.

•The city pound veterinarian has admitted that he does not have an allocated budget for the dogs’ food and basic necessities. Often, we spend out of our own pockets just so these dogs will have something to fill their rumbling stomachs for the day.

We have heard and seen the conditions of these emaciated dogs. It is a well-known fact that city pound is under the Health Services Department of the local government. With this being said, it violates not only the local government’s ordinance, but also the Philippine’s Republic Act No. 8485, otherwise known as “The Animal Welfare Act”. We have first-hand knowledge that the care taker/s and the city pound veterinarian have neglected their core duties and responsibilities on these deprived dogs. As far as we are concerned each city pound is funded under the city’s annual budget. It is our right as tax payers and concerned citizens to know exactly how and where the city pound budget is allocated. We ask that these impounded dogs be justified and be treated with utmost respect as beings. We ask that the local government realizes the sense of urgency regarding this matter. The lack of provision and care for these dogs is heart breaking.

We demand that the local government take immediate action for these impounded dogs. These demands are but not limited to the following;

1. All dogs residing in the city pound MUST receive adequate veterinary care including health screening and vaccinations.

2. All dogs residing in the city pound MUST be provided with appropriate shelter, food and water on a daily basis.

3. We ask that the care taker/s and city pound veterinarian be re-evaluated of their performance and attitude towards their duties and responsibilities.

As a proactive approach, we demand that the Pasig City local government establish a triage process in maintaining a sanitized, organized and a stress free environment for these dogs. These requests are but not limited to the following;

1. All animals taken must be in a humane and ethical manner.

2. Organize Humane Educational Efforts and initiate Spay/Neutering programs per Barangay as a long term change for these animals. Spearhead protocols and fines to all individuals, considering on surrendering their dogs. This is tolerating neglect, abandonment and cruelty.

3. Advocate adoption and post adoption follow ups.

 

Best regards, 

Philippine Animal Lovers Society (PALS) Worldwide