Maritess Mendell: Not all superheroes wear capes

Contributed photo
Contributed photo

WHEN you hear the word superheroes, fictional superheroes we watch in the movies come to our mind. Using their masks with superhuman powers to fight daily crimes and shielding humanity against supervillains.

We all can be superheroes, we just need to look deep within us our unique powers, skills, and abilities to use them for the greater good. An ordinary individual with extraordinary strength within, who has given their life with a strong intent and conviction in living a life with a larger purpose than himself, an act of service to others that are so rare, impulsive, insanely driven, and undoubtedly courageous that it changes people's misconception and saves lives.

Maritess has been an independent, self-sustained animal welfare advocate for years, flying around in different locations if required, she rescues, rehabilitates, rehomes abused and abandoned animals particularly dogs and cats, providing them love, care, and shelter including the costly medical assistance bills, spaying and neuter, and vaccinations for her rescues.

The rescue dogs are on their big hall with a rattan lounging area with hammock while the cats have their cattery bigger than a home guest room, breathable windows, comfortable with colorful woven baskets to curl up when they are cold, a portion of free-flowing cat food, and water dispenser to nourish and refresh them throughout the day.

Fortunately, she has Benjie an animal lover himself that maintains the cleanliness of the shelter, prepares the food for the rescues, and makes sure that they are well looked after.

Her 34 rescue dogs and 30 rescue cats are at her three hectares of land surrounded with wide spacious green rice field, vegetable, and shady fruit-bearing trees, a perfect place where they can run around and play with the goats, and run after chickens and birds. It is a perfect environment to raise animals in a naturally enclined habitat.

The community in Purok Tadtad Barangay Balingasag, Bago City where her shelter is located benefits positively as she aids the 30 neighboring families that reside in the area that have domesticated dogs, and cats of their own, along with the strays she sees in the streets at night having them spayed and neutered.

She had a store in Bago City years back and has been feeding stray dogs stopping over. To educate and spread awareness she made huge signage outside her store to educate the community concerning animal welfare.

Religiously she drives from Talisay to Bacolod City to Bago City as often whenever she rescues or delivers her rescues to the clinic where she has their confirmed veterinarian appointments. All pure hard work, self-sacrifice, and a strong dedication for years to be of service to others.

She spends roughly around P37,000 on sacks of dog food and cat food monthly. Excluding vaccines, spay and neuter expenses, medicines, veterinarian services medical bills, and travel expenses. The time, effort, and money that she spends in advocating for the animals are irreplaceable and will never be repaid.

Recalling her most remarkable yet the biggest challenge that molded her character to persevere and be of service to the animals and the community was Prince. It was reported by the owner that they cannot afford to send Prince to the hospital and Maritess decided to help with a little knowledge that Prince's situation has worsened. His snout has been infested with maggots and half of his face has been eaten horrifically. Besides that the smell was so distinctive, the infection has spread out and eaten away the tissue leaving him hopeless for his survival and recovery.

The sacrifice of transporting Prince through RORO ship to Batangas and Batangas to Manila just to have him checked because they couldn't fly him over with a plane due to his condition. With the help of other non-profit organizations and kind individuals that have raised funds to have him treated. Prince has been saved and given another chance to live a happy life full of love.

Hundreds of untold successful rescue stories are never shown in social media and tabloids, the act of unconventional heroism, the tears of joy, the muted cries of frustration, and the sustainable financial funding struggles.

We need more unsung superheroes like Maritess Mendell fighting against the ongoing battle of stigma and prejudice against animal welfare in the Philippines.

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