Dumaguete Animal Sanctuary

Every Life Matters

RIP

Max

Max

It is with great sadness that we tell you that Max passed at 2pm on 13 March 2024, surrounded by all the people he loved and who loved him.
He hadn't been able to eat for a day or so, and cried throughout the night.
The night staff, Richard and Jr had been taking turns holding him and playing soft music.

Max

Max

Max RIP

Max RIP

He could no longer stand and was whimpering.
We have fought alongside Max through the many ordeals he has had, but this time there was no fight to be fought.
We took him outside at 9am and sat with him under his favourite mango tree. He was very peaceful there with us all sitting around him stroking him and retelling the tales of the adventures he has had.

We told him how special he was, what a good boy he was and how dearly he was loved.  When it was time we held his head, looked him in the eyes and told him he was just going to sleep for a short while. And when he wakes up, he will be in the most beautiful place. Shaun will be waiting for him, along with his other friends.  He passed under his favourite mango tree, and we held a service for him there.
He was cremated and his ashes are next to Shaun's in The Mighty Shaun Memorial Clinic.
Run free Max, you were the best of boys.

Max

Moody

Moody

Moody

Moody

Poor Moody was a hit and run victim, picked up on 6 March 2024.  She was in so much pain with a fractured spine, we could barely move her, poor girl.  Were she to make a recovery, she would have had a home under our Adopt A Stray Programme, but sadly her injuries were just too severe.  With a heavy heart, we put her to sleep on 11 March 2024.  We have had some successes in the past using our laser therapy machine to speed the healing of fractures, but the damage to her nervous system causing her such pain was more than she, or us, could bear.  We are sorry Moody, we wished we could have helped you more.

Moody

Moody

Palma

Palma

Palma, female

Palma

It's beyond sad when a young life doesn't make it over the line to adulthood.  Young abandoned puppies like Palma, who died on 8 March 2024, are especially vulnerable to Parvovirus.  While we cannot be sure what took her life, she suddenly began having seizures and vomiting, and passed away quickly despite our efforts to revive her.  Her siblings Pani, Padma and Perla are all currently well and cleared of Parvo.  Let's hope they can celebrate the life of their sister Palma through finding their own homes and living long and happy lives.

Palma

Palma

Padma, Pani, Palma, Perla

Padma, Pani, Palma, Perla

Miani

Miani

Miani when rescued

Miani when rescued

We rescued the most heart-breaking case on 3 March 2024.  An old female dog was reported lying inside some bushes. It wasn't easy to get to her as there were electrical cables we had to navigate.
She was in a terrible state. Maggots had eaten her left eye, and her tongue and mouth were infested with them. She had raw wounds on her abdomen and also tested positive for Distemper.
Distemper is a highly contagious airborne disease and we can't bring dogs into the Sanctuary if they have it. No vet clinic here will admit Distemper patients so we took her to the house we have rented for our visiting vets.
Alvin and Angel spent hours pulling out all the maggots, bathed her, put her on IV and gave her the first shot of Distemper antibodies. Alvin stayed at the house for the next few days. We called her Miani.

Miani receiving treatment

Miani receiving treatment

Sadly, on 6 March 2024, Miani passed away in the company of Rina and Alvin. There was just too much damage caused by the Distemper virus and also from lying, no doubt for days, without care.
She spent the last three days at least, comfortable and cared for and with no signs of pain. She had Alvin feeding her 24/7.  Thank you to everyone who sent in donations for her. Because of this, we were able to give her the best care possible and every medication that could have possibly helped. Instead of dying alone and ignored, she died being known and loved by many.  Rest in peace, run free.
We'd like to say a special thank you to our staff who are willing to do whatever it takes to save a life - Alvin stayed by her side from the moment we rescued her. 

Miani RIP

Miani RIP

Foxy

Foxy

Foxy RIP

Foxy RIP

On the way to rescue Miani on 3 March 2024 we found this poor little boy dragging himself across the road, dehydrated, unable to use his back legs and crying in pain. He also tested positive for Distemper. This time of year, March, April there is a massive spike in distemper cases.
We cannot bring dogs into the Sanctuary with Distemper as it is highly contagious and kills puppies and dogs in vulnerable states. There is no cure, only preventative vaccinations, which many owners don't do.

Foxy RIP

Foxy RIP

All our dogs are fully vaccinated except for young puppies and new rescues who need to recover from sickness before vaccination.
We took Foxy to the house we use for the occasional vet accommodation as a temporary solution. Sadly, until we can afford a bigger Sanctuary with an isolation unit, we just cannot rescue dogs with Distemper and bring them in to the Sanctuary.

Sadly, he didn't survive, he started having seizures and passed away quickly. At least he was safe and comfortable and had 24 hours of care. Rest in peace little Foxy. You mattered to a lot of people even though others failed you.