When Mayon Volcano showed signs of erupting over the holidays, the PAWS Disaster Relief Team headed out to make sure evacuation plans were also in place for both livestock and companion animals.
Our thanks go out to Universal Robina Corporation for donating dog food, Cebu Pacific for not charging any fees for the transport of donated items in kind, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Losa, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Jojo of the local Disaster Management Office, Governor Joey Salceda and all the LGU officials who helped make animal evacuation and disaster-relief plans take root in Albay – where there is always an imminent danger of volcanic eruption.
Sadly, most other local government units still do not have any plans, structures or systems for animal evacuations.
The fact that many people are dependent on farm animals for their livelihood and, due to the bond shared between owners and their pets, it becomes more difficult to persuade humans to evacuate in the face of disaster if there is no provisioning for their animals.
Please support our campaign to include animal rescue and evacuation in Disaster Management Plans. Volunteering or donating are just some of the ways that you can help.
With a prayer that there will be less disasters for our country this year and a widening of that circle of compassion within government officials so that they will find it in their hearts to also include animals in their evacuation plans in the event of a disaster, we wish you – all friends of the animals – a Happy New Year!
PAWS’ Disaster Management team confers with IFAW on evacuation plans during the last week of December 2009. Now that the alert has gone down to level 3 and the evacuees are going back into their homes, PAWS hopes to continue helping animals in Albay by offering training on Humane Animal Control, Registration and Spay-Neuter.
However, we badly need support for these programs. Kindly consider making a donation to fund PAWS representatives’ transport costs to places outside of Metro Manila.
PAWS Relief Operations for Jan 3, 2010, in Bgy. Maninila , Guinobatan with Dr. Donato, Dra. Siday, Dr. Arceo and Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Losa resulted in 81 dogs, 1 cat and 2 guinea pigs treated, 5 dogs and 1 cat neutered.
For more photos, click Rescue & Relief Operations Mayon Volcano Eruption Albay
