It’s been a while since we last updated you about our Stray Feeding Campaign. Towards the end of 2023, we shared that we wanted to support Jeff, (the delivery driver who rescued Divi and also dedicates his spare time to feeding the stray dogs of Manila) on his stray feeding rounds.
Night Feeding
Since we reported on our first stray feeding drive, we have accompanied Jeff again, this time in the Tey Tey area and also at night. Night time feeding attracts more stray dogs: it is quieter and cooler so they are more comfortable to come out from the rubbish bins or abandoned buildings in which they seek shelter.
We also met with another stray dog feeder most recently, a man named Jinok, who showed us the stray dogs of Cavite.
![stray feeding](https://iwct-uk.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/stray-feeding-june-24-3.jpg)
Stray Feeding Observations
What we have observed is that the further away we travel to feed the strays, the more strays we see. Whilst this is positive reassurance that the work we are doing through our spay and neuter clinics is undoubtedly controlling the population locally, it has highlighted to us just how much more work there is to do further afield, to support national dog population control.
Feeding the stray dogs reduces their suffering and provides essential nutrients and vitamins through proper dog food. However, it is not a long term solution in controlling the dog population and reducing the spread of diseases such as Rabies.
![stray feeding at night](https://iwct-uk.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/photo_2024-04-12_13-02-00-1024x576.jpg)
Beyond Stray Feeding
We must do more. We must increase our presence in areas beyond Tarlac with a long term commitment to providing free spay and neuter operations to roaming and stray dogs. However, to do this, we need your help. We currently don’t have the funds to extend our spay and neuter programme beyond our current capacity. Whilst we are training veterinary students and have two new vets volunteering with us, we need more. More vets and more funds to put on more clinics and take them to areas where there is desperate need.
Your donations will help us fund more clinics so we can extend our reach to create a greater impact on improving the welfare of the dogs of the Philippines.
Thank you for your support.