Life and hope for pets at a Pasay cemetery

By ALMA J. BUELVA

​AS early as 5 a.m. every Saturday, a team of animal welfare volunteers visits the Sarhento Mariano public cemetery in Pasay City. Their mission: bring hope and better life to unfortunate dogs and cats who made the graveyard their home.

Ashley Fruno who formed Pasay Pups about 10 months ago to improve the health of dogs and cats who live among informal settlers in the cemetery and nearby areas is heartened to see big improvements in the animals they've helped so far. Assisted by veterinary professionals who offer their services and time and donors who provide help in kind, Pasay Pups is able to conduct regular free spay/neuter operations and other kinds of treatments for pets from poor families.

ASHLEY FRUNO OF PASAY PUPS LIFTS ONE OF THE NATIVE DOGS THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO HELP ACHIEVE BETTER HEALTH AND LIFE. (Photo from Pasay Pups FB page)

At any one time, the group could be treating more than a dozen dogs and cats for sarcoptic mange. It is a painful and extremely itchy skin disease that causes the dogs to scratch until their skin breaks and bleeds. As their “patients” are always moving from one place to another, Pasay Pups people always bring with them anti-mange topical medication and oral anti-parasitic and antibiotics. Ashley said in their group's Facebook page that a two-month treatment especially for severe cases could cost about $20 per dog.

Treating animals in the area suffering from worms infestation and mange is also one of Pasay Pups' objectives.

“Many of the animals there were underweight as a result of severe parasite infections. We've been visiting the cemetery weekly to treat animals for mange, tick and worm infestations,” says Ashley.

​Pasay Pups provide free vaccinations against rabies and other diseases like distemper provided that the pet owners consent to having their animals desexed in the future.

“These immunizations save lives, and allow people to interact with their animals without the fear of rabies,” said Ashley.

When they are not providing medical care for animals, the Pasay Pups team are building sturdy houses for chained dogs that are usually left exposed to the elements night and day.

THIS DOG NAMED GROVER WAS AMONG THE MANY DOGS UNDER PASAY PUPS' CARE. HIS FAMILY IS HOMELESS AND HE TRAVELS WITH THEM ANYWHERE THEY GO AT DAYTIME. AT NIGHT THEY RETURN TO THE CEMETERY TO SLEEP. (Photo from Pasay Pups' FB page)

Ashley and her team also offer their time to walk dogs who are always kept tied in front of their owners' houses.

To continue with their mission, Pasay Pups asks for donations that can be sent via Paypal. 

PASAY PUPS ALSO BUILDS HOUSES FOR FAMILY GUARD DOGS TO GIVE THEM PROTECTION FROM THE SUN AND RAIN. THIS IS CHACHA WHOSE ELEVATED HOUSE WITH SLATTED FLOOR KEEPS HER DRY WHEN IT RAINS AND COOL ON SUNNY DAYS. (Photo from Pasay Pups' FB page)