Dog that waited over a year for owner outside morgue soon for adoption

Loyal dog named ‘Morgan’ (Photo from Animal Kingdom Foundation)

MANILA, Philippines — The dog that stayed for more than a year outside a hospital morgue in Caloocan City, waiting for his owner to return, will soon be up for adoption, the Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) told INQUIRER.net on Wednesday.

According to AKF, the “aspin” or asong Pinoy was named “Morgan” by people around it because it stayed at the morgue of Manila Central University Hospital since its owner died there in 2022 due to COVID-19.

AKF recalled for such an extended period, guards, doctors, hospital staff, medical representatives, and other strangers looked after the dog.

Based on the foundation’s recent online posts, it learned that people in the hospital chose not to report Morgan to the city pound, fearing that it would be euthanized when captured.

AKF said the family of Morgan’s owner used to visit and try to take the dog back home, but Morgan chose to remain in that portion of the hospital.

The family eventually stopped visiting the pet, but the foundation still hopes it will reach out to them.

On October 7, AKF took Morgan to their center in Capas, Tarlac, where it will be rehabilitated.

AKF President and Program Director Heidi Caguioa described Morgan when they found it.

“The dog is very sweet. Napaka-mild. Wala siyang manifestation of aggression,” she said.

(The dog is adorable. Very mild. It has no manifestation of aggression.)

“As in, masyadong siyang ano, close talaga siya sa mga tao,” she noted.

(As in, it is so… it is very close to the people.)

Caguioa told INQUIRER.net over the phone that once it is ready, Morgan will soon be turned over to a new owner.

Currently, they are still rehabilitating its health.

Morgan will be vaccinated and neutered as well.

“Sa amin na muna siya. We will bring him back to health,” Caguioa said.

(He will stay with us in the meantime. We will bring him back to health.)

“Sobrang baba ng kanyang platelet counts, but he’s eating. He’s definitely very appetent,” she observed.

(His platelet count is too low, but he’s eating. He has a good appetite.)

“Ma-rehab lang namin siya, and hopefully, we’ll be able to find a good home for him,” Caguioa said.

“We will rehabilitate him, and hopefully, we’ll be able to find a good home for him.)

There is already a long list of people who want to take care of Morgan, but there are qualifications to be considered in selecting the new owner.

Caguioa specified Morgan’s new owner must have financial capacity or resources to care for the pet, time and a proper home.

“Yung talaga namang gagawin siyang house dog, part of the family,” she pointed out.

(“The one who will really make him a house dog.)

Since Morgan is already old, its soon-to-be new family preferably has no other dog, particularly a puppy.

“Alam naman natin kapag may batang aso, makulit doon sa senior. Baka ma-agitate [yung senior dog],” Caguioa specified.

(We know that when there is a young dog, it is really playful around the senior dog. The senior dog may be agitated.)

“We just want him to just lie down, relax, and be on its own. Most of the seniors are like that,” she explained.

Those interested in adopting the loyal dog may email the foundation at [email protected].

They can also access its adoption portal on this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AKFanimalrescue.

On this page, people can find the requirements needed for the adoption, interview questions, and check for qualifications.

Regular rehabilitation usually takes two to three months.

AKF is a non-profit animal and welfare non-government organization mostly known for its ‘End the Dog Meat Trade’ campaign.

It also has programs for rescuing animals in distress.

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