A Sanctuary for our Friends

Kylo *

            Dogs are man’s best friend. In almost all countries, you’ll see dogs being cared for, groomed, and loved. It is sad to know that in the Philippines, some people treat dogs as commodities, as meals. Year after year, dogs are being shipped; legs tied and mouths shut, from various locations to different destinations.  

           

            Dog-eating isn’t always like that. Before, it used have meaning, a sacred sacrifice to please the Gods. Tribes from the northern mountains revere dogs as loyal companions, the purest souls in the family the Gods deserved. However, somewhere along the way, with the opening and meshing with different cultures, dog-eating became commercialized.

            It is then a good thing that institutions like the Animal Kingdom Foundation exist.

Manny *

            The Animal Kingdom Foundation is a dog sanctuary in Capas Tarlac. They rescue dogs from the illegal dog-eating trade that are being kept captive. At least 700 rescued dogs find their home inside the 2.5 hectare compound. In here, dogs have identities. They are loved. Take Adonis, for example, one of the first batch dogs that they rescued. Adonis serves as the guard dog figure of the center. There is also Manny, the friendly boxer (dog) that greeted us excitedly as we arrive. And then there is Sweet, the once rescued, now internationally famous dog that now lives in UK with AFK president, Mr. Charles Leslie Wartenberg.    

A place for dogs *

            Inside the facility, dogs of different breeds are strategically placed inside spacious compounds where dogs can socialize with each other. There, they are properly fed and kept happy. Dogs of the same sexes are put together to control breeding. There is also a clinic where injured or sick dogs are treated by trained veterinaries. There is even a graveyard where people pay their respects for dogs that died.  

            It is unfortunate to say that the Philippine Government does not actually support the whole facility. Affiliated with the International Wildlife Coalition Trust (IWCT), the center gets their funds from donations from different people from other countries.

            Why do these people care for the dogs so much? What do they get for spending so much time with a bunch of animals? Let me answer it with another question. How do you treat your best friend? And as I stated earlier, dogs are man’s best friend. 

*Photos by Royce Lyssah Malabonga