MANILA, Philippines — Thirteen retired anti-narcotic dogs of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) are heading to their new “forever homes.”
The PDEA handed over these hero dogs or K9s to their adopters Thursday in a ceremony held at the agency’s K9 Unit facility in the City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.
PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said that prior to the adoption, the potential adopters have “undergone screening and interview to determine their capacity to adopt,” which is a requirement set in the Standard Operating Procedure of PDEA K9 Unit.
Aquino said that out of 33 applicants, only 13 have qualified for the adoption of the narcotic detection dogs.
The anti-drug agency said it has retired 18 dogs consisting of 14 Belgian Malinois, two Jack Russell Terriers, one German Shepherd, and a Labrador.
“Only 13 K9s were adopted, as the two Belgian Malinois are not fit for adoption for their aggressive behavior,” it also said.
“One dog has no adopters because of health condition which requires maintenance medication. The other two have adopters who showed interest, but have no financial capability to maintain said dogs, thus, will stay to be taken care of in the PDEA K9 facility,” it added.
Six dogs were also handed over to PDEA personnel who had expressed their desire to adopt.
These hero dogs had served the country especially in the anti-illegal drug operations of PDEA in jail facilities, search and seizure, interdiction and checkpoints in airports, seaports, and transport terminals nationwide.
Aquino continued that they made available the adoption of these pets to pave the way for these dogs to enjoy a stress-free environment in a very loving family where they could get care and attention, saying that PDEA K9 Unit facility is not an “ideal place” for fostering these hero dogs.
“A periodic monitoring of K9s with their adopters will be conducted to ensure their welfare, Aquino said,” the PDEA chief said. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)