MANILA, Philippines – The onslaught of tropical storm “Ondoy” (international codename: Ketsana) has left homeless not only humans but their pets as well.

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has opened its compound in Quezon City for animals needing shelter while waiting to be reunited with their owners, according to its program director, Anna Cabrera.

Cabrera said they were also bracing for animal rescue operations in coordination with government agencies and volunteer groups doing involved in rescue missions. She appealed to rescue organizations to accommodate PAWS members in helping rescue the animals stranded in roofs or trapped in homes.

“We are aware that in this situation, animals will be saved last. We lament this fact, but we have to save human lives first,” Cabrera said in a phone interview.

Cabrera advised pet owners, who have no way of taking with them their pets, to leave them in safe areas and leave them food and water. She appealed to pet owners to immediately get in touch with PAWS for the exact location of their homes where their pets could be retrieved.

“What they can do is to give us the location where they left their pets because PAWS will try to go to these areas and give them food and water and rescue them,” she said.

Only three dogs have been brought to the PAWS shelter since the flooding. All came from families living in Provident Village in Marikina City.

Cabrera said that while she believed that many families would like to bring their pets to PAWS, they did not know how to go about it.

One of their members, Haidee Guzon, remained trapped in her home in Liamzon Subdivision in Ortigas Extension. Guzon has 50 cats and several dogs, according to Cabrera.

The PAWS shelter is located in PARC-Aurora Boulevard, Katipunan Velley, Loyola Heights Quezon City (http://parc. mefindhome. org for map and directions). Volunteer veterinarians are on standby.

The public may also contact Nita Lichauco, PAWS chief, at 724-1986.

Cabrera said they were also in need of roofed dog cases and pet carriers, pet food, pails, basins, old blankets and towels, emergency lights, portable mini-gasul burner/stove and drinking water for humans as well as medicines such as antibiotics, injectable sedatives, dextrose etc.

For those who cannot bring donations at the shelter, you can drop it off during office hours at 2-B Legaspi St., Philam Homes Subdivision West Avenue, Quezon City c/o Mr. Rich Ilustre, PAWS Director. You can also email lizaumayam@yahoo.com and philpaws@yahoo.com.

PAWS currently has 185 cats and 42 dogs in its shelter.