DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — As a city, Dagupan is expected to house a large volume of people living in the area, and many animals too.
A 30-year-old female, along with her companions went viral on social media after crafting several feeding devices for stray animals in the city.
Vern Pascual, from Dagupan City, along with some of her friends, made improvised animal feeders and food trays, and distributed it in parts of the city where stray animals are frequently seen.
Her concern stemmed from the city’s lack of animal shelter, resulting in the high number of strays in the area.
“Every time po na lumalabas ako nakikita ko yung mga nakakaawang fur baby na naghihintay sa harap ng mga kainan, nakatingin sa mga taong kumakain at kung marunong lang po magsalita manghihingi po sila ng makakain”, Pascual said in an interview.
Her empathy and love towards animals pushed her to act. She took out money from her own pocket, and asked friends to assist her in her endeavor.
She searched how-to’s for a do-it-yourself animal feeder on the Internet.
The result? Four PVC-made feeders scattered across the city, lodged with a cut-out plastic tray, which dispenses animal feeds from the supply silo attached.
Pascual and her friends regularly refill the feeders, and checking them up for any incurred damages.
While their campaign began recently, Pascual and her friends won’t be stopping any time soon.
She said she wants the public to be aware of their campaign, hoping for them to act in their own volition.
“Kung hindi naman po kalabisan, matuto din po tayong magbigay sa mga hayop na nangangailangan”, she added.
Pascual invites fellow Dagupeños and other concerned citizens to utilize their feeders by resupplying it if they could afford to purchase animal feeds.
Lastly, she urged the public not to hurt animals if they cannot afford to take care of one.
For concerned Dagupeños, the PVC feeders are located in front of West Central Elementary School I along Burgos Street, in a waiting shed in front of Dagupan City National High School in Barangay Tapuac, and two along Arellano Street in Barangay Pantal.
The City Veterinary Office is eyeing to build a dog pound and a city slaughterhouse.
However, before Vern and her friends, there was alyas “Pugot”, the ‘OG’ animal champion of Dagupan.
While his moniker may seem befitting of a horror film villain, Pugot, his real name Freddie Doria, can be seen daily, on board his worn-out bicycle, followed and surrounded by a horde of felines waiting for him to throw chunks and bits of fish to feed them.
He has been doing this for decades.
Now a retired maintenance man in a university in Dagupan, Pugot’s colleagues often describe him as someone compassionate to animals.
He, according to them, always draws animals close, as if they were his friends.
Gideon Sabangan, a long-time co-worker of Pugot, cited him as the type of person who puts animals’s before his own.
“Talagang mapagmahal siya sa mga hayop, doon napupunta sinasahod niya, pinambibili niya ng pagkain nila”, said Sabangan in an interview.
But what inspired Pugot to devote his life to feeding animals? One account says he was saved by cats when a snake attacked him, while others said he dreamt of cats feeding and taking care of him when he got very sick.
But if Pugot were to be asked, he would slyly reply, “Malaki naitulong ng mga yan sa akin. Binabalik ko lang”, with a smile etched in his innocent face.
You may find him residing in Barangay Tapuac, in front of Lyceum Northwestern University exit gate...
...or you could just wait for him along the streets of Dagupan City early in the morning, or late in the afternoon. You will see him, riding his loyal, mechanical steed, clad in ordinary clothes, with a plastic bag full of fish, innards, and bones.
Vern and friends, and Pugot are but just some gentle souls in Dagupan City.
In this time filled with apathy and selfishness, let us pause, and never forget the animals who are also in need.