By Holly Angel Paraiso
A few days ago, Johnathan Juan, a good friend of my daughter, asked us if we would accompany him to the nearest dog pound to adopt a dog.
Of course, we said Yes!
We went to Antipolo pound first.
After we were allowed to see the animals, we went to the city vet office to fill out the paperwork. We were told they would not adopt out the animals because of the possibility of rabies. We were told the animals were in "quarantine" and "rehabilitation."
This surprised me as I know the dogs are put to sleep or euthanized at the end of the week. Also, we had planned to bring the dog Jonathan would adopt straight to the veterinarian for a check-up, and anti-rabies shot. We would have asked the vet when the adopted pup could be given the 5-in-1 vaccine against communicable diseases.
We also asked about future adoption. We did not get a reply.
We then went to the Cainta pound.
We were told we could not adopt a dog because "it stresses them (dogs) seeing people walk by.”
This also surprised me. Does this mean being caught is less stressful than the possibility of being adopted?
We were not even allowed to go near the cages.
We then proceeded to the Marikina pound.
We were immediately allowed to view the animals and were attended to professionally by the staff. We examined every cage of dogs, cats, chickens, rabbits, and turtles. I actually saw monkeys and goats there a few years ago.
Jonathan chose a darling two-and-a-half-month-old puppy.
He then went next door to fill out some papers and paid the P75 adoption fee. Yes!! He paid only P75!
The little angel slept on my daughter's lap all the way home.
Johnathan and his best buddy DANNY (named that because we were listening to Blue Danube classical music on the way home) are doing fine.
SO, if you want to adopt a dog with NO HASSLE, go straight to the Marikina pound.
About the Author: Holly Angel Paraiso is an animal welfare advocate who encourages people to adopt aspins or asong Pinoys from pounds.
She also pushes for better conditions in pounds for the poor dogs who were caught by pound staff or surrendered by owners. These include providing clean water and food even if the dogs will be euthanized or killed because the Animal Welfare Act of the Philippines provides that impounded dogs should be free from hunger and thirst.
Holly, her husband, and children moved to the Philippines about 22 years ago. They are all dog lovers and have adopted dogs too.