Animals for Sale Drown at Flooded Arranque Market in Manila

Many parts of Metro Manila are hit with severe flooding amid the habagat and weather systems Crising, Dante, and Emong. Taft Avenue and España Boulevard, where flooding has become the norm, were submerged for days due to drainage issues.

One of the severely hit places in the capital is Arranque Market in Sta. Cruz, Manila, which is known for selling cats, dogs, birds, and other small animals at low prices. As floodwater quickly reached waist-deep level on Monday night, July 21, many live animals in cages and locked rooms at the basement were left behind, eventually drowning and dying.

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Abandoned and Drowned Animals at Arranque Public Market

"Yung iba po, hindi na namin naisalba. Merong tumulong para maisalba namin," said one of the pet vendors, Bong, in a video report by GMA Integrated News' Saksi on July 23.

A quick search online would turn up other videos of the rescue operations, with one where people are scrambling in the dark to retrieve the cages that are housing crammed animals. "Importante 'yung mga buhay, 'yung mga may buhay lang," heard from one of the rescuers in the background, indicating that other animals have already died.

MDRRMO uses siphoning equipment to remove floodwater at the Arranque Public Market on Wednesday afternoon

On Wednesday, July 23, Arranque Market remained submerged due to a damaged water pump. The Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) was assigned to siphon off the floodwaters, and by Thursday afternoon, vendors of the public market returned to their stalls.

While it's business-as-usual for the rest of Arranque, the same cannot be said for the lives that were lost.

Call to Investigate Pet Selling at Arranque Market

Non-governmental organization Animal Kingdom Foundation has expressed concern about this long-standing situation at Arranque Market.

"Anyone who has stepped inside Arranque Market knows — it is a LIVING NIGHTMARE for the animals displayed and sold there. Cramped cages, the overpowering stench of waste, and suffocating conditions in a basement with limited ventilation— A TRAGEDY WAS BOUND TO HAPPEN. That tragedy came with the flooding brought by relentless rain. Countless animals drowned to death — trapped, terrified, and unable to escape. Their suffering was unimaginable. Their deaths - painful," they said in a post.

AKF is calling on the local government of Manila and the Bureau of Animal Industry to "urgently investigate the conditions in this market and prioritize animal welfare in spaces where animals are traded." They added that the animals have been treated as commodities for "far too long."

In July 2020, Manila’s Market Administration Office shut down two stalls at the Arranque Market for allegedly selling an endangered myna bird for P10,500. In the same month, cobras were being illegally sold in the area. Meanwhile, in 2019, shark meat was found to be for sale at the wet market. The bodies of the gray reef sharks on display also did not have fins, which are highly prized among fisherfolk.

"Bakit po hinahayaang magbenta ng mga hayop sa loob ng Arranque Market Napakasikip, mabaho, walang bentilasyon. Ayon sa mga ulat, matagal nang may closure order mula sa BAI. Bakit hanggang ngayon nandiyan pa rin? Asan na po ang aksyon mula sa Market Administration ng Maynila? O baka naman talaga walang magawa? Panahon na po para itigil ang operasyon ng mga pasilidad na malinaw na labag sa kapakanan ng hayop. KAILAN TAYO KIKILOS? Antayin pa ba natin silang mag hirap at magdusa ng paulit ulit at tulad ng nangyari.. ANG MAMATAY NG WALANG LABAN," AKF posted, addressing the mayor of Manila, Isko Moreno.

No Pets Left Behind

Animal rights groups, like the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and Pawssion Project, have reminded the public to safeguard their pets during disasters.

"Your pets are family and rely on you, especially in trying times. With the persistent inclement weather, we hope all pet owners can duly protect their pets and ensure their safety and security," PAWS said on its Facebook page.

Likewise, Pawwsion Project said: "Please do not leave your pets behind and always include them in your evacuation plans. One of the most heartbreaking scenarios in an emergency or natural disaster is always pets getting left behind. Pets are family and family should not be left behind."

Another thing to remember is to prepare a "go bag", preferably a backpack, with food, medication, and water for you and your companion animals. A lightweight crate could also be useful when transporting our pets, but a plastic basin or even a laundry hamper can also be options.

Emergency pet kit checklist

• Food supply
• Pet first aid kit (eye drops, wound spray, medications, immune boosters)
• Towels or plastic bags for clean up
• Extra collar or leash
• Soft copy of the pet's vaccine and medical records
• Water and a collapsible feeding or drinking bowl
• Pet's favorite toy

Make sure your pets are properly identified

Attach an ID tag with your contact details to your pet's leash. A permanent ID solution like microchipping is also an option. Keep an updated picture of your pet in your wallet or phone.

Develop a pet evacuation plan

Not all evacuation centers can accommodate pets, so it's best to search in advance for where your pet can stay temporarily. Train your pets to be in their carriers so they can be comfortable even during emergencies.

While it is a last resort, and for some compelling reason you are unable to evacuate with your pets, make sure they are not tied or caged so they can still somehow fight for their survival.

Adopt, Don't Shop

Inhumane breeding practices (a.k.a. puppy mills and kitten mills, backyard breeders) and roadside sellers of animals exist because there is a demand. One way to get rid of unregulated and unethical pet sales is to avoid buying from these places or avoid shopping for pets altogether.

Pet overpopulation is at an all-time high, and plenty of shelters and rescue groups are looking for individuals to adopt the animals under their care. Millions of healthy, loving cats, dogs, and other pets are euthanized every year simply because city shelters cannot accommodate most of them.

"Adopt, don't shop" directly addresses this crisis by promoting the adoption of existing animals in need.