PETA Aids Animals in War-Torn Zamboanga

Animals don’t belong to religions or have nationalities, and they own no bombs or guns—yet they often suffer in our wars. After the Zamboanga crisis, PETA Asia caseworker Jana Sevilla went to the war zone to help dogs, cats, and other animals who were tragically abandoned when people were forced to evacuate.

PETA, together with the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), entered some of the hardest-hit neighborhoods—many of which are still off limits to the public—to help the dogs and cats who were injured, burned, or left behind to starve.

Jana medicating a dog with mange.

The Philippine military escorted PETA and PAWS officials into the otherwise off-limits barangays of Mariki, Sta. Catalina, and St. Barbara, where, with the assistance of city veterinarian Dr. Mario Arriola, pound officer Dr. Grace Jimenea, and Mayor Ma. Isabel Climaco-Salazar, they were able to drop off food for badly malnourished animals who desperately needed it. Other animals needed care for the severe burns that they had sustained during the widespread fires, and animals in uninhabited areas were taken to the city pound.

You can help fund vital rescue work such as this by making a donation. Remember to make preparations now to ensure that your companion animals will be safe in the event of a disaster.

Posted by Ashley Fruno