Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 16th December 2014
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Young boy opens rescue shelter in the Philippines
Ken with Blackie, Brownie and White Puppy
Ken with Blackie, Brownie and White Puppy (Image ©Happy Animals Club).

Nine-year-old Ken hopes to save as many strays from euthanasia as possible

A nine-year-old boy has started a no-kill animal shelter to help stray cats and dogs in the Philippines.

Photos of him feeding strays earlier this year were circulated on the internet and people from all over the world began donating money to help him buy better food and veterinary care.

Ken says: "Ever since I can remember I wanted to open an animal shelter to help the stray dogs and cats on the streets...

"My dad told me it would take a lot of money and 20 years for me to get an animal shelter. He said only grown ups can raise enough money to start an animal shelter."

Ken, however, raised enough money to start the Happy Animals Club and get veterinary care for the three dogs he had been feeding - Blackie, Brownie and White Puppy. "They gained a LOT of weight," he says. "Their open wounds healed, and their fur grew back. They also learned not to be scared of humans."

After raising 66,000 pesos ($1,500), Ken was able to lease a 10,000 square feet lot for a year. He has also bought bamboo huts for the animals. "Everyone expected me to put the dogs in cages but the dogs won't be happy if they are locked up in cages."

The aim of the charity is to save dogs from the city pound, where only about 20-30 per cent are claimed by their owners and the remainder are euthanised.

To find out more about Ken's shelter, visit: http://www.happyanimalsclub.org

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.