Mandaluyong gov’t action on dog shelter lauded

MANILA, Philippines–An animal welfare group, who in a recent Inquirer report assailed the Mandaluyong City government for neglecting a local dog shelter, said conditions there finally improved after authorities took action on their complaints.

In a Facebook post, the volunteer group Help MAS commended local officials led by Mayor Benhur Abalos for “finally addressing the long-standing problems at the facility.”

MAS stands for the Mandaluyong Animal Shelter on Martinez Street, Barangay (village) Addition Hills. Currently holding about a hundred dogs, the shelter is intended to provide care for the animals until they get adopted.

The group earlier said running the facility was supposedly a partnership between Help MAS and the local government, but lately the volunteers had been shouldering most of City Hall’s responsibilities, including the collection of food for the animals.

It also observed that the facility had become filthy and foul-smelling, despite having caretakers hired by the city government.

“It’s so much better now than last month,” Help MAS founder and head Li-An Ascalon told the Inquirer.

She noted that food had been made readily available by the local government and “structural repairs” were also undertaken, including the installation of additional lighting.

Ascalon said the local government also increased the number of caretakers to 12, double the previous number.

She said City Hall could still improve veterinary services for the dogs, “but so far so good. They are doing what they said they would do.”