Dumaguete Animal Sanctuary

Every Life Matters

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Today we moved 45 dogs down to the new shelter land. It’s something we’ve been working towards for a long time, but it’s only the first step. Ten of the dogs who made the move are the ones who have spent years keeping themselves to themselves. They have affectionatley been named as the 'unsociables'. They lived in and around a bamboo hut at the old shelter, rarely venturing far, and never wanting to go out on walks. They were some of the first dogs that we rescued and some came in as puppies, so the small space they occupied is all the they have ever known. As the shelter population increased, they were often bullied when they tried to venture into the wider shelter population. We are moving them down first so that they can adjust and hopefully integrate with the other dogs we are taking down. The rest of the dogs will remain at the current shelter for now while we continue fundraising to build the remaining compounds at the new site. We’re moving gradually and carefully, making sure every dog is safe and settled before the next stage begins. Thank you for following this journey with us.
After Five Years in a Bamboo Hut, They Finally Have Space
On January 1st we were contacted about a dog who had been found lying in an alley, unable to stand or walk. When we arrived, it was immediately clear that something was very wrong. Chai was completely paralysed in her back end and had clearly been down for some time. We brought her in for X-rays, expecting to see a fracture or spinal injury, but there were no broken bones that could explain the paralysis. What we did discover was that she was positive for Ehrlichia, a tick-borne disease, and given her symptoms we suspected tick paralysis. Cases like this are never straightforward. There is always a level of uncertainty and you don’t always know in the beginning whether recovery will be possible. But if we believe there is a realistic chance, we commit. Our staff put in the work every day — medication, supportive care, keeping her clean and comfortable, helping her to stand, encouraging her muscles to engage again. Over time, Chai began to respond. Small movements at first, then attempts to stand, and now she is able to walk again — still a little unsteady, but on her feet and moving under her own strength. Chai is part of our Adopt-a-Stray programme, and the person who reported her will be taking her home once she has fully recovered. That’s the outcome we always hope for — not just survival, but a future beyond the shelter. This is what your support allows us to do. .
The Power of Persistence: Chai's Recovery
This poor calf had been sleeping outside our current shelter for days. He belongs to a herd that lives nearby, but it was obvious something wasn’t right. His back legs are deformed, he was weak, and his mother had already rejected him after she stopped producing milk. His owner had decided to send him to slaughter. We saw him every day, lying there on his own, and we couldn’t just leave him to his horrific fate. So we spoke to the owner and asked if we could take him instead. Thankfully, he agreed. We moved him to the new shelter, where at least he has safety, food, and care. We don’t know yet what his future will look like, or whether he will survive but we will do our absolute best for him as we do for all the animals that come into our care. Thank you for watching, and for caring about the ones who rarely get a second chance.
A calf with nowhere to go - meet Elmer!
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