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Animals in need: We are changing their world

I have been largely solely financially responsible for the care of the animals in an area of Pasay City, The Philippines.
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Former Cloverdale resident and animal advocate Ashley Fruno is working to help impoverished animals in the Philippines.

After moving to the Philippines (from Cloverdale) to work with a non-governmental organization, I have taken responsibility for a community of dogs and cats at a bus station and the depressed community in Pasay City.

What started out as caring for half-a-dozen animals has become a great deal more. There are about 80 dogs and cats in this small area who I do my best to care for with my limited personal finances.

Sadly I am finding myself unable to provide each animal with the care they need and deserve.

To help, I have started an online fundraising drive at http://igg.me/at/pasaypups/x/3515071 to help raise $5,000.

Every Saturday morning, I lead a small team of caring volunteers to the impoverished neighbourhood to provide basic care to the animals who call this area home – meeting their basic veterinary needs, such as parasite control, preventing infections in minor wounds, giving flea and tick prevention, and curing skin conditions like sarcoptic mange or fungal infections.

We also provide food, love, baths, walks for chained dogs, toys, and when owners agree to give their animal a better life, adoption.

I have been largely solely financially responsible for the care of the animals in this area. However, these expenses have grown beyond my means.

I have successfully spayed and neutered many of the animals in this area, but there are about 60 still waiting. For my birthday this year, rather than gifts or parties, I would like to see the rest of the area’s animals spayed or neutered.

If there are any extra funds leftover from this fundraising drive, they will provide treatment for sarcoptic mange, which is a terrible problem for dogs in rural areas of the Philippines, and to provide regular deworming treatment to 300 working horses on the island of Taal Volcano.

In the grand scheme of things, the number of animals we care for is small, but for each of these animals and their owners, it changes their world.

 

Ashley Fruno