CAVITE CITY – A man is making the rounds online after being photographed saving his dogs from flames that engulfed over 700 houses in four barangays here on Saturday, Feb. 12.
Amid the chaos, sidecar driver Almario Ramos Jr. made sure that his four pets were safe from the fire.
"Mahal po sa akin 'yan. Para pong tao and tingin ko diyan. Kasi 'yan ang mga kasabay ko sa pagkain, tulog, kasi wala po akong anak eh. Parang anak na rin ang tingin ko diyan (I love them. To me, they're like humans. They're with me when I eat, when I sleep. I don't have children of my own, so I see them as my kids)," Ramos told the Manila Bulletin.
Ramos said not all pets in his neighborhood were lucky to survive.
"Meron pong iba na nailigtas, merong iba, nasunog (Some were rescued, others were not), Ramos said.
Ramos and his dogs are currently staying in Ladislao Diwa Elementary School, one of the three evacuation centers for the fire victims.
Ramos said the rescued animals are kept in classrooms and other places within the compound and are regularly provided with food and water.
Donations from volunteer groups
The Cat House, home for rescued cats and dogs based in Cavite, told the Manila Bulletin that they have provided food for pets staying in two evacuation centers.
"Ang animals po na may owners nasa 150-180 plus... Ang unclaimed o pagala-gala po sa lugar mismo ng nasunugan marami po, nasa 300 plus (There are 150-180 plus animals with owners. There are 300 plus unclaimed or stray animals)," a representative told the Manila Bulletin.
The group also provided medicines for injured pets as well as mats and leashes to secure displaced dogs.
The Cat House is currently coordinating with Kapon Pilipinas to provide rabies shots for pets in the evacuation centers. They're also planning to mount a spay and neuter project for rescued animals.
Animal Kingdom Foundation, on the other hand, is also raising funds to bring relief goods to animals and their owners currently staying in evacuation centers.