DAVAO CITY – Over 200 rescued dogs and 50 cats at Bantay Hayop Davao, a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registered animal welfare organization, had a delightful Christmas with the gifts they received on December 28 from the Ikigai Animation Studio.
The Ikigai Animation Studio is a Japanese–Filipino-owned creative agency offering industry-standard multimedia services, from creative projects to corporate needs in Davao Region. Click this link https://www.ikigaianimationstudio.com/home for more information.
Ikigai is a Japanese term for “a reason for being.”
Embracing the essence of Ikigai, founder Micah B. Pil, through her representative Quinn Florence G. Astillo, donated several sacks of dog and cat food to the Bantay Hayop Davao.
“It’s about giving back to the community. During our small meeting, we chose animal shelters like Bantay Hayop because there are many rescued dogs and cats that really need help, and we intend to continue this endeavor and help more animal shelters in the coming years,” Astillo said.
The highlight of Ikigai’s Christmas gift-giving was the feeding program for the rescued animals.
Astillo emphasized the importance of the nutrients in the food provided to the animals. He urged everyone to provide utmost care to the rescued animals just like how they care for their pets.
Bantay Hayop Davao supervisor Richie Caballero expressed his profound gratitude to the Ikigai Animation Studio for warmly supporting their rescued dogs and cats and their advocacy “Give Hope to Furry Friends” and “No to Animal Cruelty.”
Since the Bantay Hayop Davao started in 2020, Caballero said the city witnessed several instances of reported animal mistreatment, poisoning, physical abuse through hitting and hacking leading to significant injuries, and cases of abandonment.
One of the rescued dogs with paralysis is “Whitey,” a canine discovered abandoned with a fractured bone protruding. During her rescue, she was caring for her puppies. Subsequently, Bantay Hayop retrieved her and underwent the amputation of her leg.
“Esme,” a gentle dog, was rescued by the gutter under the main road near SM Ecoland. She was nursing her puppies – a protective mother to her lovely puppies who unfortunately did not make it. She is in the isolation ward after being tested positive for the distemper virus.
Bantay Hayop president Rovie Bullina earlier mentioned that this trend can be linked to the way Filipinos perceive Asong Pinoy or Aspins as compared to dogs with specific breeds which she emphasized should not be like this.
“Taking care of a dog or a cat is not like a stuffed toy that, when a child, appears cute but ends up being kept somewhere as it grows. Just like humans, it takes a full responsibility to take good care of pets until they grow old,” Caballero said.
The animal rescue organizations in Davao engage in voluntary rescue efforts without seeking remuneration. They depend on donations and often use their funds to support their initiatives.
Here’s their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/bantayhayopdavao for further information on their endeavor to help all stray dogs and cats in Davao City and in Davao Region.
In this Holiday Season, Caballero said the Bantay Hayop Davao wishes people to have a kind heart for the animals. He added that these animals are God’s creations, too, and should be treated with respect just like humans.
“Do not own a pet you cannot take care,” he said, adding that he hopes their rescued dogs and cats will find a new home that will take care of them.
The Bantay Hayop is currently located in Barangay Catalunan Grande. The rescued dogs and cats will soon move to a wider and greener new shelter along Malagamot Road in Panacan here.
Wander Chinita 