It was a day of love and compassion indeed, a rare but commendable move by a city government office!
Fourteen surrendered and caught dogs and cats were adopted on Love Day, February 14, in General Trias, Cavite, to the delight of animal welfare advocates.
The pet adoption program of the city veterinary office (CVO) of General Trias was one successful event. In collaboration with the Junior Chambers Incorporated (JCI) General Trias Katipunan, 14 dogs and cats from the pound were given a second chance at life and an opportunity to be loved and cared for by a family which every dog or cat deserves. This, instead of putting them to sleep which most pounds in the country do.
The animal pound center in Bagong Kalsada, Barangay Pasong Kawayan II, General Trias, Cavite houses unwanted, surrendered, and homeless animals. Most pounds put dogs and cats to sleep but the CVO led by Dr. Gloria Digma decided to have these poor furbabies adopted instead. With the help of Mayor Luis Ferrer IV and Vice Mayor Jonas Labuguen, they launched the pet adoption drive Their goal is to look for loving, lifetime adopters for healthy, adoptable dogs and cats in their care. As of this time, a total of 65 pet animals have been adopted and 70 pet animals are candidates for adoption.
The CVO makes sure the dogs and cats are healthy and vaccinated before they are released to screened adopters.
On the same day, they held an anti-rabies mass vaccination for 72 pets: 48 dogs and 24 cats.
Save Animals of Love and Light-Save ALL, a registered animal welfare group, commended the CVO led by Dr. Digma, JCI, Mayor Ferrer and Vice Mayor Labugen for such a laudable project that saves lives.
“It is rare to find a city veterinarian and local government officials who find time to look for adopters for impounded dogs and cats. We are awed by efforts of these compassionate humans who value life, and acted on it, “ Save ALL said.
Save ALL’s first rescue was saving 36 dogs and cats from a Metro Manila pound. These dogs and cats were due to be put to sleep in November, 2013.
“Despite the lack of funds and human resources, we decided to rescue the 36 dogs and cats because we could not bear the thought of healthy animals being killed, “ Save ALL said. The dogs and cats have been adopted by loving individuals and families.
Save ALL expressed hope that more city veterinarian offices and provincial veterinarian offices will open their pounds to adopters of caught and surrendered dogs and cats, instead of putting these poor animals to sleep.
“May other CVOs follow the example set by the General Trias CVO which actively looked to adopter and successfully rehomed 65 dogs and cats,” Save ALL said.