https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U3PQ5xZ4nmTy7aN1VuDYH2kXSN2wYN05/view?usp=sharing
by JULIANNE PUA
Published on January 20, 2022
After the cooperation with Veterable Lady Veterinarians (VLV) in a successful spay and neuter activity called ‘Spaying it Forward’ on October 10, 2021 that benefited 16 cats and two dogs, Compassion for Animals Through Service of the University of the Philippines (CATS of UPLB) continues to receive funds for the campus animals, particularly from a fundraising activity by Barangay Safe Space.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1As8DX9JEZKFGZiidUDkcvU8ZIgo5u3Uw/view?usp=sharing
Caption: A screenshot of Barangay Safe Space’s official announcement about the collaboration with CATS of UPLB
CATS of UPLB had received approximately Php 4,000.00 worth of funds from Barangay Safe Space, a charity organization for stray animals established on November 25, 2021 by University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) second year students. More than half of the funds were from generous donors and the remaining were from ‘Sticker Paw for a Cause,’ a digital sticker funding raising activity in collaboration with Bago Creatives PH that was open for commission from December 12, 2021 to December 30, 2021.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qAxWYXf3N2Y2T_Y2sWe80zj0Ih-lEKQm/view?usp=sharing
Caption: Barangay Safe Space’s official logo
Arielle Arizala, the founder of Barangay Safe Space, explained that their organization’s advocacy was to share, educate, and raise awareness towards animal welfare. They chose to raise funds for CATS of UPLB as their chosen beneficiary. Arizala added that animals are important in our lives and thus, humans should not abandon them.
“We believe that there should be equality amongst pets, where every animal get the love and care that they deserve, no matter the breed,” Arizala said.
Unfortunately, Barangay Safe Space won’t be continuing to offer their services since the fund-raising activity was for a project for their Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) subject although Arizala had said that if they were given the opportunity to collaborate with CATS of UPLB again, they will.
The said two key activities were done to meet CATS of UPLB’s advocacies, which are the following: to control the stray animals’ population inside the university campus, to feed and monitor the animals, to vaccinate the animals, and to give the vulnerable and dependent animals a home.
Chiara Manuel, a University of the Philippines alumni who is also a freelancer of a knitting business and a co-founder of the organization made it clear that they are not a rescue group, but rather an organization that finds and applies solutions to the root causes of stray animal overpopulation inside the campus.
“Abandoning animals in the streets only transfers the responsibility to someone else. It does not solve the problem,” Manuel said.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fGff_vLii3usbGxvdLa85zPnAr0hLu5Y/view?usp=sharing
Caption: Campus stray cats to spay and neuter in the Philippine Animal Welfare Society. Photo from CATS of UPLB
The organization brings batches of cats and/or dogs to either The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) or Philippine Pet Birth Control Center (PPBCC), where spaying and neutering were the cheapest.
According to The Philippine Animal Welfare Society, spay and neuter does not only lessen the stray animal population, but it also has a few health benefits for the animal that can make them live longer. It can reduce the chances of breast cancer, uterine infections, pyometra, and testicular cancer. It also affects a pet’s behaviour; their tendency to leave their homes in search of a mate will stop, and their temperament will increase into a calmer state. The cat or dog must be at least 6 months old to be fit for surgery and they must not eat or drink 12 hours before getting fixed. Although a blood test for blood count and liver function is required for pets over four years of age to ensure their well-being.
If interested to foster, adopt, or donate for the campus stray animals, you may check CATS of UPLB’s official Facebook page.
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