It takes a village to raise a dog

It takes a village to raise a dog

LAST November 14, 2020 the much anticipated “Clear the Pound Adoption Day” at the Bacolod City Pound spearheaded by The Bach Project Ph in partnership with the Bacolod City Veterinary Office reached an unprecedented milestone.

With much urgency, the life-saving initiative of less than 2 weeks preparation began. It’s a now or never thing. During the campaign, 69 rescued dogs at the City Pound were just waiting for their already scheduled euthanasia. This would have happened if they had not gotten adopted after the 14th of November as per advice by the City Pound.

During the start of the campaign, adoption was on a slow move. But we never gave up. Leading to the adoption day, 3 adult dogs, one of which is a mama dog with her five puppies were surrendered. It was but a shocker, a downer and another turmoil to our hard fought adoption drive. But what really kept us moving, was our trust in humanity. With millions of residents in Bacolod alone, we were optimistic that the 69 + 8 impounded dogs will somehow find their new homes.

Prior to the event we had been religiously campaigning and scouting for all possible support and sponsors. We were so driven to not only save all the dogs through adoption but also to make sure that the adopters will be highly and gratefully appreciated with freebies and other support.

One thing that made us initially worried sick during the onset of our event planning was how to raise the funds enough to cover the adoption fee for all of the impounded dogs. Good thing, we acquired and generated tantamount and overwhelming support from both private enterprises and individual donors.

On the adoption day, while we were getting the venue secured and ready for the event, we couldn't help but be in awe of God’s abundant blessings. We were all fired-up and thrilled to start the event.

The event started with an audio clip of Miss Concepcion Lopez Bach, the founder introducing herself, the Bach Project Ph, its goals and its future aspirations. It was played loud among the silence of all the expectators composed of adopters, volunteers, and some names noted in the animal welfare and rescue group. It was followed by a song and prayer by Angeluz Redil Oujero, then Mr. Julius Galve, the City Pound Manager who graced the event, read to us the history of the City Pound, the laws that govern the impounding of dogs and irresponsible pet ownership. After which, the flow of the adoption process was presented. What soon followed was the official declaration of the “Clear the Pound” Adoption Day. Of course, we made sure that the standard safety protocol had to be strictly observed.

The event started from 9:00 a.m. and finished at 6:00 p.m. All dogs were adopted on that day.

We can brag about how driven and motivated our team was contributing to the success of the event. But what made it a really huge success was the unity among different rescue groups, the love, the kindness and the compassion that overflowed on that day. The adoption of the 75+ impounded dogs was a clear manifestation that humanity still exists, and that love still abounds. It was a day of joyous celebration.

About BACH Project PH

As a non-profit group, our group's missions are, a) to help pets in need through fostering, adoption, and education, b) to promote programs needed to stop the killing of companion animals, c) to trap, neuter, vaccine, and return unadopted pets with ear tags for dogs and ear tattoos for cats, and d) to build vending machines (food dispenser) for strays.

We envision that all animals can live a life free of cruelty and suffering under the core values that animals will be treated with kindness, respect and care in a non-judgmental and safe environment.

Right now, we are already drafting sustainable plans to guarantee consistency of these kinds of programs. We are working on plans that would further involve the LGUs and the local community altogether. With the proper mindset and unwavering commitment from the volunteers and with proper support and cooperation from the different related sectors, I believe that all plans will be attainable and sustainable. We are driven to bring change and progress in a much realistic sense.

Why care for animals?

As a recipient of God’s grace and mercy we are all but expected to extend the same to our fellow creatures. The planet is not ours alone. God created all animals with a purpose. Some had the intelligence comparable to humans, while some got nothing but pure love, joy and healing. You don’t need to be a dog lover, a cat lover or whatsoever. All you need is to have a heart that has respect for life to say the least. How we treat the homeless, abused and neglected animals in our community says more about “us”.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” With this in mind, how can we even be great when we have laws that are unfair and inhumane? How can we subject animals into a life of tragedy? How can we have them all caged-up when they all should be breathing and celebrating life with us.

The “rabies” stigma should be toppled down. We should all care. Raising children in an environment that lacks empathy, value and respect towards life is bound to get doomed. Moral degeneration can’t be blamed on the future but to now.

Ever since I was a kid, I already had deep appreciation and affinity for all life forms. May it be a bird, a fish, an insect, a tadpole, etc. With dogs, I had nothing but fearful images and vague misconceptions of them which were instilled in my mind. All of these changed when I became a furparent. After just a few days of being a furparent, I realized how unfair the “miseducated” world looks at the dogs and how badly animals are being treated. Definitely no dogs deserve to scavenge on trash, left outside the gate, be chained and even be caged. After all my realizations, I picked my ass up and without complacency took every bit of chance and opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the dogs that I get to cross paths with. That’s when I became a rescuer, pound feeder, and stray feeder. That is when I became an animal advocate.

To have a cat or a dog is a lifetime commitment. They are not disposable commodities. They are capable of showing love, affection and loyalty. They are also capable of feeling hurt, neglected and abandoned.

The next time you see a stray cat or dog on the streets, empathize. If you have enough space in your house, adopt. Don’t shop. All cats and dogs are amazing! Their personality basically depends on how they are treated. But one thing I find really obvious, adopted and rescued dogs are the sweetest of all.

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