 The
founder of IWCT and, at the same time, President
of AKF is Mr. Charles Leslie Wartenberg
with local askal " Sweet" The organization
is presently composed of a Management Head, 1 full-time researcher/
investigator; 1 external affairs officer/ researcher; 1 full
time resident & consultant veterinarians, a center manager
and personnel. The organization is also supported by 2 legal
counsels. Completing the structure are: Dr. Ponciano Aberin
MD, Vice -President ; Board of Trustees: Alan Whittaker; Suzanne
Llanera, Atty. Heide Caguioa, Treasurer and Greg S. Quimpo,
Corporate Secretary.
Animal Kingdom
Foundation, Incorporated or more commonly known in the
Philippines' animal-welfare world as, simply, AKF Inc. is the
local affiliate of the International Wildlife Coalition
Trust (IWCT) based in the United Kingdom. AKF's mission
is to support, protect and promote welfare and the rights of animals;
to eliminate the practice of illegal slaughter of dogs for human
consumption and to introduce legislations or amendments in the
existing animal-welfare laws of the Philippines.
A non-stock, non-profit
animal welfare organization, Animal Kingdom Foundation,
Inc., is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and duly enlisted with the Department of Agriculture's Bureau
of Animal Industry, Animal Welfare Division. AKF has been in the
forefront of animal-welfare advocacy in the country since 2002.
Enforcing the Republic Act 8485-Animal Welfare Act of 1998-against
illegal dog-traders is the main weapon utilized by AKF in its
day to day operation against animal cruelty.
 As
saving distressed dogs in the Philippines go, AKF personnel
risk life and limb catching dog-traders. Together with the
Central Intelligence and Detection Group (CIDG), raids on
establishments confirmed of trading dog-meat are conducted
and interceptions of deliveries to slaughter houses, particularly
in the northern region of the country, are cautiously carried-out.
An initial investigation takes weeks or even months. AKF
personnel may have to return several times to suspected
areas and even pretend to be interested buyers to verify
that these establishments or individuals are engaged in
such illegal activity. With verified information, AKF coordinates
with the national and local authorities, mostly the CIDG
of the police force for the raids. The rescued animals are
brought to the rescue center of AKF in Capas, Tarlac.
 Snouts
muzzled with rusty tin cans, front legs tied behind their
backs, piled up in an enclosed vehicle, with gall bladders
bursting due to heat, and dying along the way to the illegal
slaughter houses scattered in the northern region, this
is precisely the scenes during AKF rescue operations. It's
a multi-million peso trade. The "lucky" ones who
survive the ordeal are strangled or whacked on the heads
like baseballs and cooked for dinner or as appetizer during
drinking sessions.
There is no accurate data on how many dogs are slaughtered
everyday because of man's greed and cruelty. But with AKF's
passionate effort in exposing the illegal dog-traders, the
cruelty practiced in this horrible trade is no longer tolerated.
Presently, more than 80 individuals have been arrested and
charged with violation of the Animal Welfare Act of 1998
(RA 8485); almost 30 illegal slaughterhouses/eateries have
been decommissioned and nearly 800 dogs rescued. These results,
plus its significant impact in putting a dent in the multi-million
peso illegal trade is a product of more than 35 operations
in the Northern and Southern regions of the country.
In the aspect of animal-welfare dissemination and rabies
prevention program, AKF conducts dog-vaccinations in critically
considered areas.
Enumerating some of
the continuing efforts of AKF Inc. in rescuing dogs
from slaughter, one will have to appreciate the passion
of its staff and personnel. Cases after cases in court
against dog-traders have been filed by AKF after each
raids and interceptions.
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Cowering
in fear, slaughter-bound dog
waits to be recovered by IWCT. |
Rescued
and safe, dog, on right, shown previously,
settles on the back of the truck. |
Accompanying the
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)
of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during raids,
arrests were made in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija,
Tuguegarao City and in the province of Cagayan Valley.
Furthermore, apprehension of illegal dog-traders
and recovery of slaughter-bound dogs were also successfully
carried out in Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac,
Baguio, Bicol, Iloilo and Negros.
The foundation
have delivered more than 800 live dogs to various
pounds in the country and now keeps a number of
rescued dogs, slowly growing after each successful
operations, at Barangay Cub-Cub, Capas, Tarlac in
AKF Animal Rehabilitation and Rescue Center.
Aside from these numerous raids and interception,
vital coordination and link-ups with several agencies,
private and government, have also played an important
role in the foundation's advocacy.
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| List of Operations
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Operations :
Jan. - present 2007
• 6 Operations initiated
• 218 dogs rescued
• 11 people persecuted
February: 9-Feb-07
Location: Cabanatuan,
Nueva Ecija
Researcher: Brando Gegway
No of Dogs rescued: 2
No of people persecuted: 2
Media Used: GMA 7
February: 13-Feb-07
Location: San Fabian, Pangasinan
Researcher: Brando Gegway
No of Dogs rescued: 7
No of people persecuted: 2
Media Used: GMA 7
February: 22-Feb-07
Location: Mabalacat, Pampanga
Researcher: Greg Quimpo
No of Dogs rescued: 93
No of people persecuted: 2
Media Used: BBC
February: 22-Feb-07
Location: Cabanatuan,
Nueva Ecija
Researcher: Greg Quimpo
No of Dogs rescued: 1
No of people persecuted: 2
Media Used: BBC
March 22-Mar-07
Location: Tuba Benguet
Researcher: Brando Gegway
No of Dogs rescued: 57
No of people persecuted: 1
Media Used: ABS CBN
July
27-Jul-07
Location: Candon, La Union
Researcher: Brando Gegway
No of Dogs rescued: 58
No of people persecuted: 3
Media Used:
Operations:
Jan. - December 2006
• 15 operations initiated
• 258 dogs rescued
• 33 people prosecuted
January: Jan 20, 2006
Location: Baguio
Public Market
Researcher: Brando Gegway
No of dog meat: 204 kilos
No of People Prosecuted: 3
Media Used: Sunstar,
Midland, Zigzag, ABS-CBN
January : January 27, 2006
Location: Pangasinan
Researcher: Greg Quimpo
No of dogs rescued: 4
Pound: La Union City Pound
No of People Prosecuted: 2
February : February 3, 2006
Location: Rosario, La Union
Researcher:Winston Samaniego
No of dogs rescued: 30
Pound: La Union City Pound
March : March 7, 2006
Location: Naguilian, La Union
Researcher: Winston Samaniego
No of dogs rescued: 5
Pound: La Union City Pound
No of People Prosecuted: 3
March : March 30, 2006
Location: Tabaco, Albay
Researcher: Greg Quimpo
No of dogs rescued: 5
Pound: Legaspi City Pound
No of People Prosecuted: 1
April : April 27, 2006
Location: Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija
Researcher: Brando Gegway
No of dogs rescued: 7
Pound: La Union City Pound
No of People Prosecuted: 3
July : July 6, 2006
Location: Villasis, Pangasinan
Researcher: Greg Quimpo
No of dogs rescued: 8
Pound: AKF Rescue Center
No of People Prosecuted: 2
July : July 16, 2006
Location: Tuguegarao City
Researcher: Brando Gegway
No of dogs rescued: 16
Pound: AKF Rescue Center
No of People Prosecuted: 2
August : August 2006
Location: Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija
Researcher: Brando Gegway
No of dogs rescued: 2
Pound: AKF Rescue Center
No of People Prosecuted: 2
August : August 18, 2006
Location of Apprehension: Rosario, la Union
Researcher: Winston Samaniego
No of dogs rescued: 36
Pound: AKF Rescue Center
No of People Prosecuted: 2
August : August 30, 2006
Location of Apprehension: Tubao, La Union
Researcher: Winston Samaniego
No of dogs rescued: 45
Pound: AKF Rescue Center
No of People Prosecuted: 2
October: October 2006
Location: Baguio Public Market
Researcher: Brando Gegway
No of dog meat: 85 kilos
No of People Prosecuted: 3
Media Used: Sunstar, Midland, Zigzag, ABS-CBN
October : October 18, 2006
Location of Apprehension: La Trinidad, Baguio
Researcher: Brando Gegway
No of dogs rescued: 1 dog/ 86 dead
Pound: Adopted
No of People Prosecuted: 2
November : Nov. 2, 2006
Location of Apprehension:
San Fernando, La Union
Researcher: Winston Samaniego
No of dogs rescued: 30
Pound: AKF Rescue Center
No of People Prosecuted: 2
December : Dec. 2, 2006
Location of Apprehension:
Rosario, La Union
Researcher: Winston Samaniego/Brando Gegway
No of dogs rescued: 73
Pound: AKF Rescue Center
No of People Prosecuted: 2
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