The Mandaluyong Animal Shelter (MAS) needs help.
Ironically, this statement was made by a volunteer group called “Help MAS.”
“According to Help MAS founder Li-An Ascalon, instead of a partnership where both sides work together to ensure the welfare of animals, the volunteers ended up shouldering most of the Mandaluyong City government’s responsibilities,” reports Kristine Felisse Mangunay in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Ascalon was quoted as saying, “You are working with people who do not have animal welfare in mind.” She pointed out that “in the nearly two years the volunteer group had been in existence, the local government had hardly shown the political will to make the partnership work.”
When asked for his reaction to the volunteers’ complaints, Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos said, “I completely understand (the volunteers’) concerns. I thank them for bringing these problems to my attention.” Abalos then said that he had already asked city veterinarian Dr. Louie Encarnacion for a list of the shelter’s needs.
For her part, Ascalon said she “welcomed Abalos’ assurance but said her group would like to see it translate into a long-term commitment.”
Photo from Help MAS Facebook Page
