Dumaguete Animal Sanctuary

Every Life Matters

RIP

Piper

Piper

On 26 March 2022, little Piper was picked up by one of our volunteers Bree. After some medical care and a bath, she started to make good progress. She was a playful little thing, and we had high hopes for her, but on the night of 25 April 2022, Piper had a sudden unexpected seizure and died.

Piper when rescued

She was active and playful until it happened and we have no idea why. Its possible that she received some sort of head trauma before rescue while on the streets, but we have know way of knowing. She never had much chance of a life, but at least she knew love and companionship during her short time here.

Mickey

Mickey

Mickey was reported to us on 10 March 2022 in Pamplona, around 2 hours away. We normally restrict rescues to our surrounding area but this poor boy we couldn't say no. Estella and Paul drove up there but couldn't locate the dog but returned the next day after practically the whole village went out to look for him and contained him.

Mickey before treatment

He had multiple tumours and clearly had TVT, which is very treatable. He was old, had mange, and was malnourished, but we had hope. Within a couple of chemo treatments, his tumours began to subside, and he began to enjoy his surroundings, and the care and attention he was receiving from staff.

Mickey

Mickey

Mickey

Mickey

On 20 April around 3pm, he collapsed and we immediately brought him to the clinic and put him on IV and oxygen. His multiple mast cell tumours were being destroyed by the chemo but as they were being broken down, they released toxins into the body that can often be fatal. We knew this was a possibility and bought all the medication that can help him to process the toxins but it's never a guarantee that a dog will survive.

Mickey receiving treatment

Mickey receiving treatment

It was heart-breaking to see this boy fight for his life after all he's suffered, wandering the streets with tumours all over his body and in his eyes. At least his eyes were now clear.

Despite all our efforts, Mickey passed away at 11:10 on 25 April 2022. He just wasn't able to process the toxins from the breaking down of the tumours. We take comfort in the fact that up until his rapid deterioration, he was eating, sunbathing, going for walks and getting a lot of love from the staff.
Thank you to everyone who donated for his care, to his sponsor Kirsty, to everyone who held him in their thoughts.  And thank you to our amazing staff who stayed round the clock to try to give him the best chance of survival. We are so heartbroken to lose you mickey. Rest in peace beautiful boy.

Mickey

Mickey

Amber

Amber

On 13 April 2022 our Shelter Manager Rina's sister Gabbi came upon this poor puppy lying paralysed in a field.
This is a constant dilemma for us, when we hear of a dog in critical condition, yet we are already over capacity.
Of course we brought her in. She appears to have been hit over the head. We called her Amber, and put her on heavy pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Amber

During the night, Amber stopped breathing but due to the vigilance and skill of our night vet assistants, Adrian and Carl, they were able to resuscitate her and save her life. Later the next day she stood up and positioned herself for a wee and then gave a little bark, and was taking in a little food, but the following night the vet assistants called Rina to go to the Sanctuary at 6am as Amber had started to have cycling seizures. These are where the dog keeps making cycling movements with their legs - a common result of Traumatic Brain Injury.

Amber

Amber

Amber

Amber

We know there is no coming back from this and the only kind thing to do was to put Amber to sleep. Rina called Pierre at 7am to come up to the shelter, but 10 mins after that, Amber stopped breathing.
Amber died because of another case of human cruelty. We have no idea who did it as we just found her lying in a field.
Run free little one - we are so sorry you had to endure such pain and cruelty in your very short life.

Eva

Eva

On 5 April 2022 we got a report from someone who had clearly tried their best to help a puppy that was hit by a vehicle in the Estancia Subdivision in Sibulan. She was covered with a blanket, and had been trying to hydrate her through a syringe. We can't carry the burden of every neglected, abused, injured or sick stray here in Dumaguete, but we simply couldn't let this one go.

Eva before rescueEva before rescue

It's clear someone had cared enough to do this, but had probably reached the limit of what they could do for her, particularly since vet bills can regularly exceed months of salary for the average Filipino.

Eva on night watch

We called her Eva which means Life, and tested her for Distemper and Parvo and with the help of many donations received, did everything we could. She was in a critical condition and her temperature was really low - 34.3, so we put her on heat pads, an IV, gave her pain meds and antibiotics, and had two vet assistants, Carl and Adrian, to monitor her through the nights. They stayed with her, stroking her and talking to her so she didn't feel alone.

Eva's monitoring log

Eva's monitoring log

Eva

Eva

We had hope when she made it through the night, and her temperature started to rise, but she is was infested with large worms, which cause a lot of damage to internal organs. The damage was probably too far gone, and she passed away quickly the night of 7 April 2022. Rina, Carl and Adrian did everything they could to revive her but couldn't. Run free little Eva, sorry your short time on earth was so hard.

Eva

Eva

Victory

Victory

On 27 March 2022, we got reports of a dog in a bad state near Port Royale water park.  We didn't have transport so we were fortunate that Dong one of our volunteers was available.  We rescued the dog and called him Victory or Vic for short.
It appears he was hit by a car as he has bad lacerations on his back and tail.

Victory when rescued

He also couldn't use one of his back legs and his wound was in danger of becoming infected.  We bought him to Animal Wellness for x-rays and full blood tests, but sadly passed away he following day.
He went into cardiac arrest and despite Doc Gama's efforts to resuscitate, he couldn't be saved.  Vehicle impacts cause so much damage. Please brake for animals.  Poor Vic, at least he had a couple of good meals and was shown some love.

Victory's injuries

Victory's injuries

Victory when rescued

Victory when rescued