Aboard Larasark
Our vision is to be more than an animal rescue, but a sanctuary where animals can, in their own way, help rescue humans, too
It was a simple promise to the heavens that led Susan Lara to found Lara’s Ark, an animal rescue group dedicated to saving the lives of all animals, big and small.
Eight years ago, Lara broke her hip. The unfortunate incident required the need for three titanium screws to be put in. She promised then that if she were to walk again, she would build a chapel.
When Lara started collecting old religious items for the chapel, the first thing she found was an 18th century Bible. An illustration of Noah’s Ark greeted her when she first opened it. Hence the name of the group.
Lara has spent most of her life rescuing animals in need. When Taal volcano erupted in 2020, the team did an impromptu rescue of over 200 animals in a span of three months.
“To be perfectly honest, we just went to Taal with no plan at all. We just brought along a few friends who were willing to risk their lives to save these animals,” Lara said in an email interview.
On the way to the site, the team followed a convoy of vehicles despite the earthquakes that caused some roads to open up.
Lara said, “When we finally reached our destination, we realized the other vehicles behind us had to head back as their cars were full of rescues they had picked up along the way. We carried on until there were only a handful of us left. That’s when the original team was formed.”
In her 40 years of rescuing, Lara recalled that she had taken in over a thousand animals.
“Since the Taal erruption, perhaps over 300 animals have been rescued, including dogs, cats, horses and livestock. There are around 100 rescues waiting, including 60 dogs and 40 cats. They’re available for adoption right now. They are fully vaccinated and desexed and have recovered from their medical conditions,” she said.
Since they can’t keep all of these rescues, Lara’s Ark decided to open its rescue operations and adoptions to the public. Lara said, “For those with the opportunity to adopt, be open to it. Animals have a way of knowing when you’ve saved them, and they’ll happily spend the rest of their lives saying thank you.” She cites Doc Hilbart Pizarro, Doc Nielsen Donato, Titan Manalastas, Kai Yulo, Nina Campos, Tamara Yao, Jhondee Mendoza, Jun Jun Torregoza, Aldrin Aquino, Joseph Perez, Georgina Reyes, Arthur Bisnar, Marlou and Tess Ubano as the selfless and compassionate individuals who tirelessly help Lara’s Ark be what it is today. “Every day at the shelter is a mix of joy and sadness, especially when our rescues leave for their forever homes. To us, they’re family! But we always remind ourselves that we rescue with the ultimate goal of giving these animals a second chance — to have a place to call home, and to be loved unconditionally,” Lara said.
She envisions Lara’s Ark to one day become a center where rescues can be trained to be therapy/ emotional support animals, where people can come for animal therapy.
“Animals have saved my life countless times, and I find comfort in their innate sensitivity. Only after you’ve rescued an animal will you know what I’m talking about. They always reward us with more than what we give them. In the end, I suppose I’d like to go full circle. Our vision is to be more than an animal rescue, but a sanctuary where animals can, in their own way, help rescue humans too,” Lara concluded.
To send help, email larasark.ph@gmail.com. In-kind donations can be sent at 585 Calbayog Street, Mandaluyong City.