As Filipinos observe physical distancing and keep indoors until April 30, hundreds of urban-dwelling animals have been left forgotten. These animals usually rely on people and passersby for food. Now that everybody is stuck at home, the ownerless strays are left to fend for themselves.
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals or PETA is once again braving the frontlines to find and help these animals.
“Our rescue team isn't letting COVID-19 stop them from helping animals—including those rescued from Taal—during the Metro Manila lockdown,” says Nirali Shah of PETA Asia.
“While Filipinos are social distancing and keeping indoors, PETA's rescue team is on the streets of Metro Manila, feeding and rescuing injured and sick animals. The lockdown has forced the local veterinary clinic to close its doors to the public, but our team thankfully still has access to it.”
PETA is also coordinating with guardians who do not own the animals but look after them. It has distributed more than 900 kilos of dog food to guardians who are unable to afford it or can't access supermarkets because of the travel restrictions.
According to PETA, its team members are taking every precaution recommended by health authorities, including practicing physical distancing, wearing gloves, and frequent handwashing, while giving animals the attention and care that they desperately need.
It can be remembered that at the height of the Taal Volcano eruption in January, PETA was at the frontlines rescuing stranded animals on the volcano island. It has set up adoptions and foster applications for the said animals.
“Before the lockdown started, our team tried to process as many Taal adoptions and foster applications as possible—with outstanding results. That work continues, but now, our team has to walk—sometimes many kilometers—to unite animals with their new guardians,” said Shah.
