A sanctuary for stray dogs on Bantayan Island
Greg and Tina, opened asanctuary for stray dogs in the island. | CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
CEBU CITY, Philippines— Bantayan Island is known for its pristine white beaches and the serenity that it offers its visitors to enjoy a complete island life experience.
To a couple, the fascination for Bantayan Island quickly developed into love because of the stray dogs in the area.
So great was their love for these dogs that Greg and Tina decided to open an island sanctuary for them in Barangay Pooc, Santa Fe town.
Santa Fe is one of the three towns comprising Bantayan Islands. The other towns are Bantayan and Madridejos.
To reach Santa Fe town from Cebu City involves a three to four hour land travel to Hagnaya port in the northern Cebu town of San Remigio.
This is then followed with an hour long boat ride from Hagnaya to Santa Fe town.
Greg and Tina’s Facebook page, Island Sanctuary Santa Fe Bantayan Island Philippines, has become a platform in spreading awareness to love and nurture stray dogs.
The couple, along with one volunteer, started rescuing stray dogs in the island since 2016.
As of April 20, the sanctuary now has 110 dogs under its care, waiting for their “furever” home.
“We set up (the sanctuary) because of necessity to help homeless animals on Bantayan Island… that expanded when we started finding dogs crammed in cages with no food and water, ” Greg told CDN Digital.
The island sanctuary of Australian couple, Greg and Tina, currently has 110 stray dogs under their care | CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The couple is conscious in inculcating in the minds of people the importance of adopting stray animals.
They said adopting animals will save the animals from being” put to sleep, ” a phrase that basically means to kill the dog out of mercy.
“(Our) message is to adopt a rescued dog. They are beautiful and amazing and so loving. If (you) can’t adopt, be nice to street dogs, feed them and give them water,” shared Tina.
“If you see animal cruelty from individuals, especially if they from government, report it,” she added.
For three years now, the sanctuary has been receiving help from volunteers and has been funded by donors coming from the Philippines and abroad.
The couple, who goes back and forth to Australia, hope that their small gesture can make an impact in saving the lives of stray dogs. / celr
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