Ormoc is a small coastal and mountain town in the eastern islands of the Philippines. In this little community, a group of like-minded individuals headed by my good friend, Patrick, decided to take their love for animals to the next level. They established a group called Ormoc Strays Oasis, a team who volunteers their time and effort in saving stray cats and dogs in pounds, those needing medical attention, and those that need rehoming.
While the team is fairly young, they have been granted access to a piece of unused farmland to be converted into the Oasis. They've gathered resources and other volunteers to help organize the area these past weeks but the shelter site still needs a lot of work before it can be a new home for strays.
In parallel, the team continues to cater to medical emergencies, where a majority of cases are sadly a result of human abuse. Moreover, they also have to deal with the local mandate to impound all stray dogs and will be killed via gunshot if unclaimed.
How could situations be this inhumane?
OSO continues to fight for these innocent strays by paying the 500 Philippine peso claiming fee and then rehoming dogs from the pound. After successfully freeing the strays last week, another batch of dogs were caught and impounded.
The team visited the pound and found the pooches' sad plight: no food and water, and all cramped up in a small metal cage. Two of the mother dogs were pregnant during the impound. One later had stillbirth while in the pound. How could a mother deliver healthy babies in such cruel conditions?
The pound is indeed a sad, disheartening sight but our OSO volunteers continue on with their goals. They gave the dogs food and water. They continue to raise funds for the dogs' release. They continue to search for new homes for them. And lastly, they continue to spread education for dog owners and authorities alike.
There is so much more work involved and resources needed to make a big selfless project like OSO function. A couple of times, I've personally donated for specific rescues and for more general logistical expenses. For now, all resources are focused on freeing the remaining dogs at the pound. We need your help. The strays need your help.
If you believe that innocent lives should be spared, if you believe that every life matters, if you believe that strays deserve a second chance at a loving home, please help me help OSO. All proceeds of my OSO related blogs will be donated to their rescue efforts.
You may also donate to them directly through their facebook page Ormoc Strays Oasis.