Build Emergency Animal Sanctuary in Palawan
Donation protected
Thousands of animals and pets are abandoned every year in the Philippines, leaving them starving in the streets. The COVID-19 pandemic has made the situation even worse and we need your help now. Help us save thousands of animals' lives by helping us build an animal sanctuary which will prevent the build of a kill shelter by the local government.
Our Story
My partner, Charlotte and I spent 1 month in the Philippines in 2019. During our time there, we noticed that plenty of dogs and other animals were badly mistreated, disease ridden, abandoned or homeless. Having wondered if anyone was helping these animals out, we met Rob and Jacq Martin while dining at their restaurant and found that we had met the saviours of these animals. Here is a little more about their work and their mission.
Rob and Jacq have spent the last 5 years in Port Barton on the island of Palawan in the Philippines. Port Barton is a small town that was rapidly gaining traction as an upcoming tourist destination on the island. With a strong background in hospitality they both created their restaurant 'Mojito's' which funded 80% of their projects with animals in the area. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced them to close their restaurant and essentially put an end to any funding for the animals there.
This puppy was found abandoned in a bush.
Prior to the pandemic, their work with animals has seen them treat over 1200 animals for mange and 550+ sterilised. "We are facing a terrible situation here. We have lost our ability to look after the animals with the shutdown of our restaurant. Tourism was very helpful as the street animals were able to get more food from tourists which we encouraged. Many travellers told us in all of their journeys through the Philippines that the animals were in much better health here than in other places. COVID-19 has destroyed this is in one full swoop. Animals are sick and starving and we are working on an immediate relief program once we get out of lockdown in the next 5 days." - Rob Martin.
Our Plan
It is obvious that Rob and Jacq need to move towards creating a more stable environment and are committed to building an animal shelter with vet facilities, an industrial kitchen and lodgings for volunteers.
They were able to get the local government to halt their plan of setting up a kill shelter at the end of last year but they have been informed that talks will resume for that project if another option isn't presented.
Rob and Jacq have been working closely with Palawan Animal Welfare Foundation Inc and will look at going under their NGO flag as an independent sanctuary.
The total cost of securing land and building this facility in Port Barton is estimated at around $120,000USD/£100,000GBP. This will also include rescue vehicles and a mobile vet facility as the nearest facilities are over 2 hours away.
To help kickstart this project we need to work in phases.
- Phase 1 of the project will look to secure immediate aid for the animals, 1 acre of land, building plans, engineering permits, local government permits, NGO status as well as water and electricity.
- Phase 2 will look at building an emergency shelter, kitchen, rescue vehicle and basic staff housing.
- Phase 3 will provide vet facilities and a treatment facility.
We are currently implementing Phase 2.
Our Story
My partner, Charlotte and I spent 1 month in the Philippines in 2019. During our time there, we noticed that plenty of dogs and other animals were badly mistreated, disease ridden, abandoned or homeless. Having wondered if anyone was helping these animals out, we met Rob and Jacq Martin while dining at their restaurant and found that we had met the saviours of these animals. Here is a little more about their work and their mission.
Rob and Jacq have spent the last 5 years in Port Barton on the island of Palawan in the Philippines. Port Barton is a small town that was rapidly gaining traction as an upcoming tourist destination on the island. With a strong background in hospitality they both created their restaurant 'Mojito's' which funded 80% of their projects with animals in the area. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced them to close their restaurant and essentially put an end to any funding for the animals there.
This puppy was found abandoned in a bush.Prior to the pandemic, their work with animals has seen them treat over 1200 animals for mange and 550+ sterilised. "We are facing a terrible situation here. We have lost our ability to look after the animals with the shutdown of our restaurant. Tourism was very helpful as the street animals were able to get more food from tourists which we encouraged. Many travellers told us in all of their journeys through the Philippines that the animals were in much better health here than in other places. COVID-19 has destroyed this is in one full swoop. Animals are sick and starving and we are working on an immediate relief program once we get out of lockdown in the next 5 days." - Rob Martin.
Our Plan
It is obvious that Rob and Jacq need to move towards creating a more stable environment and are committed to building an animal shelter with vet facilities, an industrial kitchen and lodgings for volunteers.
They were able to get the local government to halt their plan of setting up a kill shelter at the end of last year but they have been informed that talks will resume for that project if another option isn't presented.
Rob and Jacq have been working closely with Palawan Animal Welfare Foundation Inc and will look at going under their NGO flag as an independent sanctuary.
The total cost of securing land and building this facility in Port Barton is estimated at around $120,000USD/£100,000GBP. This will also include rescue vehicles and a mobile vet facility as the nearest facilities are over 2 hours away.
To help kickstart this project we need to work in phases.
- Phase 1 of the project will look to secure immediate aid for the animals, 1 acre of land, building plans, engineering permits, local government permits, NGO status as well as water and electricity.
- Phase 2 will look at building an emergency shelter, kitchen, rescue vehicle and basic staff housing.
- Phase 3 will provide vet facilities and a treatment facility.
We are currently implementing Phase 2.
Fundraising team (2)
Jaime Newell
Organizer
Rob Martin
Team member