Pet lovers do walk for a cause to help stray dogs and cats in Boracay
Jun N. Aguirre
KALIBO, Aklan- Several pet lovers in this ati-atihan town has conducted a walk for a cause to support the rescue of several stray dogs and cats in nearby Boracay Island.

Jeanie Mae Gumban, shelter coordinator of the Aklan Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Center who organizes the event Saturday said that since Boracay has been closed April 26, they already rescued more than 30 stray dogs.

Some cats have also been saved.

Boracay Island, in Central Philippines considered as one of the best beach in the world has been ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte to be close for six months to undergo environmental rehabilitation.

Since its closure, thousands of non residents who have stayed in this resort island to work were ordered to go home in their respective provinces. Both tourists and non residents were not allowed to enter Boracay.

"We have coordinated with the municipal agriculture office of Malay for the rescue of the animals. We already had found four dogs who died both from hunger and sickness, she said.

After rescue, the stray dogs and cats were transferred in their shelter in Paraiso Road in Banga, Aklan.

The pet lovers with their pets walked around 500 meters from Magsaysay Park here to nearby Pastrana Park where a short program has been held for a fund raising event.

"We will use the money gathered to buy dog and cat food for those rescued. I also urged the public who wanted to have pets to instead adopt a dog from our shelter house," Gumban said,.