Helping Sindulan strays find temporary shelter
Dogs are known to be loyal.
It’s no wonder many people describe them as “man’s best friend.”
One particular dog led rescuers to three dead members of the Aguanta family, whose bodies were recovered two days after the landslide struck Sitio Sindulan in Barangay Tina-an, City of Naga in the early morning of Sept. 20.
“Nakakita mi og upat ka iro nga nisaka didto sa taas. Kana si Kibol, nihunong na didto dapit sa may bato, then nikubkob (We saw four dogs go up the affected area. Kibol stopped by a boulder and starting digging),” said Joel Matusa, one of the rescuers.
News of Kibol’s discovery spread fast. Many inquired if he was available for adoption, said dog lover and tax mapping head Allan Niño Bacolod.
Good Samaritan
“Daghan ang niinquire, pero dili gyud nako pahilabtan. Di nako ipaadopt kay dako man sad gud ang akong respeto sa mga taga didto kay taga Sindulan man sad ko (I won’t let anyone touch the dog. I won’t let anyone adopt Kibol because I have a lot of respect for the people of Sitio Sindulan because I’m also from there),” he said.
Bacolod said that a day after he received the report about Kibol, he immediately went to the site to look for the dog.
he found not only Kibol, but more than 50 other stray dogs.
Bacolod said he understands why their owners abandoned them since the survivors could not bring them to the evacuation centers. Others may have also lost their owners to the tragedy.
He said that while he fed the dogs he noticed tears in their eyes. He also felt their hunger.
Bacolod said owners can still
Island Rescue Organization is the first non-profit animal rescue organization in Cebu. One of its goals is “to promote responsible ownership and humane treatment of animnals through cooperation, outreach and education with the community.”
claim their dogs once they move to a permanent relocation site.
He told SunStar Cebu that he proposed to the City Government to build a temporary relocation site for the dogs.
A group called Island Rescue Organization (IRO) got wind of his plan and sent him financial assistance for the building of the facility and for the dogs’ expenses.
“Lipay kaayo ko nga nisupport sila nako. Actually, gipadal-an ko nila og financial nga ako run gigamit sa mga galastuan (I was very happy that they supported me. Actually, they sent me money to help care for the dogs),” he said.
The dog are fed in the morning and in the afternoon.
Bacolod said that the dogs will be transferred to their temporary shelter once it is done.