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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Animal rights advocates: Probe closure of animal shelter in Davao City

Animal rights advocates: Probe closure of animal shelter in Davao City

Published Oct 20, 2023 04:59 am

DAVAO CITY – Animal welfare advocates have urged the city government to reinvestigate the unjust closure of an animal shelter here following the complaint filed by neighbors on alleged foul odor and loud noise from the facility.

HAPPY ANIMALS CLUB.jpg

HAPPY Animals Club logo

Happy Animals Club, a non-profit animal shelter, has expressed apprehension about facing permanent closure due to the alleged unfounded complaints submitted by their neighbors to the city government.

In a document dated September 27, the city administrator mandated the closure of the 1,000-square meter shelter for non-compliance with sanitation regulations. It also said that the Happy Animals Club needed to address the complaints over foul odor and noise effectively.

Ken Amante, owner and founder of the Happy Animals Club, said in a Facebook video that aside from the fact they can no longer rescue any homeless animals due to the order, he is also worried about their 300 rescued dogs and cats being brought to a pound.

The Facebook video showed closed-circuit television footage in which city government officials are seen discussing the possibility of leaving the shelter, revoking its license, and confiscating its animals.

Amante underscored the reasons for the City Health Office’s swift response to the complaint. “It makes no sense to shut down the animal shelter for no reason. What is the motivation of the city health inspector in ordering us to close? Something smells fishy here, but it is not the shelter,” Amante said.

He said the neighbors who filed the complaint bought the next-door lot where the animal shelter was situated in 2019 when the shelter had been operating for five years. Amante added that the neighbors want to harass them into moving out.

The inspector recommended the relocation of the animals to a more suitable location which the owner has no problem. Still, it would be terrible for them to be driven away by a false complaint, as they need more funds to do that immediately, Amante said.

Animal Rescue Rehabilitation & Fostering (ARRF) Davao Inc. expressed unwavering support and solidarity to Happy Animals Club, which, they said, is a vital shelter and sanctuary for stray and abandoned animals.

The ARRF said in a statement that the closure of Happy Animals Club would not only be a loss for the animals but also to the entire community, knowing that the shelter has been a beacon of hope for countless animals, providing them with love, care, and a second chance at life.

“We sincerely hope that the city government and the Happy Animals Club can come together to seek solutions that benefit all parties involved. We firmly believe that a collaborative approach can lead to a win-win situation for the shelter and the city government,” the ARRF said.

PAWSsion Project also backed Happy Animals Club by creating a “Petition Against the Unjust Closure of Happy Animals Club Shelter in Davao, Philippines.”

As of posting time, the Petition • Petition Against the Unjust Closure of Happy Animals Club Shelter in Davao, Philippines • Change.org has garnered 13,245 signatures from various individuals across the Philippines. The petition has already been spread by various groups and people on social media.

“Supporting pillars of compassion to the abandoned and abused animals like Happy Animals Club becomes crucial. We earnestly urge you to reconsider this premature closure, ensuring that Ken’s vision and the hopes of numerous animals continue to thrive,” PAWSsion Project said.

Regarding their alternative legal avenues, Amante said they have filed a petition for a temporary restraining order which did not yield any result. He added that they are now exploring the filing a counter-complaint against the City Health Office and hope for a favorable outcome.

The city government and the city health office have yet to respond on the issue as of posting time.

Related Tags

Animal shelter Happy Animals Club Dog pound Davao City
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