And homes for all

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) recently renovated its shelter — this was done because there are several dogs and cats that are rescued and need temporary shelter while they are in search of loving homes.

PAWS shelter is a modest one. It can take in around 30 dogs and 80 cats at most. The place is staffed by volunteers who put in hours so that the animals in the shelter can feel that they are loved.

Limited resources such as the number of veterinarians and caretakers, quarantine protocol, garbage disposal systems, and resources for behavioral rehabilitation are issues that the folks in the shelter have to deal with daily.

The need for a good-sized shelter became a necessity a few years back because the backyards of the homes of the volunteers could no longer accommodate the animals that were rescued.

In the past, I recall a time when I visited the home of PAWS president Nita Lichauco. At the time, it served as the cattery for the shelter.

The shelter is up today because of the hard work of Nita and PAWS director Anna Cabrera, Oscar Lei (who is now based in Canada), and the many volunteers who fought for the construction of the shelter.

I am amazed at how the shelter has grown. But, more than just the growth of the physical structure, it is the increase in the number of people who are involved in animal welfare and rescue work that brings a smile to my face.

“PAWS shelter hopes to make up for the lack of space by what it teaches people about responsible pet ownership,” Anna Cabrera said. “People who call and wish to abandon their pets are offered free training if the problem of their pets is behavioral in nature. Re-homing assistance is also provided for those who are willing to spay or neuter their pets first.”

With its current population of 35 dogs and 156 cats, PAWS strives to intensify its humane education efforts even further.

“We cannot ‘adopt’ our way out of the problem of pet overpopulation,” added Anna. “The numbers of animals reproducing are at a much faster rate than the re-homing efforts of all animal rescuers combined.”

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Here are a few stories of PAWS shelter animals, who were once down on their luck — but who have since been rescued, treated and loved.

SYLVESTER: THE WANDERER

Sylvester was found wandering aimlessly in Pasay City. He was full of mange and was in such an advanced state of malnourishment that PAWS rescuers doubted whether he could be rehabilitated. Miraculously, after just a few weeks, soft patches of fur began to grow back and he began to gain weight. When all the fur had grown back, the only sign that Sylvester once had a bad case of mange was his crumpled-up ears.

Sylvester was adopted last November 2008 by a family of animal rescuers from Nigeria who visited the PAWS shelter and instantly fell in love with him.

JULIET: DOG WITH NO HOME

When Juliet was rescued she was called Romeo because rescuers thought she was a he. Juliet was found in Romeo Marietta Village, Pasig City, near Ever Gotesco Mall, Ortigas Extension. She was hiding behind the gate, inside a residential home that was unoccupied at the time. The owner of the house (who was out of town) didn’t know there was a dog staying there, only the helper knew about it. A volunteer had to contact the owner of the house so that PAWS could come in and rescue Juliet.

Juliet was in pain because she was limping and snapped at anyone who wanted to carry her. Until the x-ray of her broken leg came out, no one knew the extent of her pain — her leg was broken in two and she needed a bone pin operation which cost P20,000. Members of the PAWS e-group came to the rescue, the majority pledging donations of P1,000 to P2,000 until the full amount needed for the operation was collected.

Shortly after she was brought back to the shelter in November 2008, Juliet was adopted by a loving couple who had a rescued dog of their own.

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The next two stories are about dogs who have been rescued but are still waiting for a loving family to come and take them home.

WILLIAM: ALMOST DEAD

William was rescued near White Plains, Quezon City. He was left for dead in the streets because he was afflicted with mange. To make matters worse, cruel humans probably hit him on the head or poked his eye, which led him to lose his right eye.

William’s fur is growing back and his right eye is stitched up; he is waiting for a loving home at the PAWS Shelter.

RENO: BRING ME HOME

Reno is by far the worst case of neglect that PAWS’ has ever seen. He was emaciated and was found lying on his side under a jeepney in Cubao. When found his face was mangled because of blows inflicted on his face by a cruel person.

Like William, Reno has responded to medical treatment and is now a normal, happy dog. He is waiting to be adopted at the PAWS Shelter.

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The PAWS Shelter is grappling with issues of the lack of donations from pet food companies for the cat food supply of the shelter. The 156 rescued cats and kittens at the shelter consume about 10 kilos of cat food daily. PAWS spends about P18,000 a month on cat food.

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If you want to adopt a dog or pledge supplies to the shelter, call PAWS at 475-1688 (between 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.) e-mail philpaws@yahoo.com. Donations can also be sent directly to PAWS at PAWS’ Animal Rehabilitation Center (PARC), Aurora Blvd, Katipunan Valley, QC.