There is Light at the End of the Tunnel

I was in Catbalogan, Samar, Philippines last year October thru November, for about 4 weeks. While there, I met Dr. Cinco, a veterinarian who works for the city and who also cares deeply about the welfare of animals. Dr. Cinco and staff went around baranggays & puroks educating people about the danger of rabies from dog bite, the importance of anti-rabies shots for dogs and responsible pet ownership. Even with his office's tight schedule, he & his staff managed to come to our shelter and vaccinated our dogs against rabies and spay/neuter a few of them.
I had a conversation with Dr. Cinco early this week. This is the first time I spoke with him since I got back from Catbalogan. He mentioned that they have started catching stray dogs and taking them to their pound. After a few days or when the pound is full, they have to euthanise some of them, specially the ones that already look sickly. I got frantic. I think that putting animals to sleep is not an answer to overcrowding. I asked him to bring some of the dogs to SALAMAT Animal Shelter. I requested for the sickly so we can bring them back to health. He continued that there are so many strays, that there is not going to be enough space in both locations. Supposedly, they are to go out every week to catch strays and could round up about 20 dogs each time. That is an overwhelming number of dogs that will end up put to sleep. I asked him why go every week? I can't remember the answer to that question, but I am hoping they don't go every week as planned. A couple of dogs he said have been adopted. I told him that I will get our adoption program going to free up room for dogs that are coming. We would do a thorough screening of adopters so as to avoid the dogs ending up in the hands of those who would slaughter dogs to eat.
A lot of people there are not big on adoption and that is a challenge worth taking on. I believe people will turn around and see what beautiful creatures dogs and cats are.
What was encouraging throughout this conversation with Dr. Cinco is that he is open to suggestions. He is willing to try things, not just slam proposals or ideas. What a breath of fresh air.
I did mention to him about our plan of opening up a sanctuary for the animals in Catbalogan, Samar. He too was excited about it. The sanctuary will open its doors to all of the homeless animals throughout Samar and maybe Leyte. That will be our long term goal. More power to you and your office Dr. Cinco. You're the first who is in a position of power in Catbalogan that ever did something good for our four legged friends. Thank you