Six years since rescuing her first dogs, Leah Borbon-Dopelis has opened her home in Antipolo, Rizal to around 200 other mistreated canines.
Dopelis, a nephew, and two workers of her “Hope for the Angels Shelter” often begin their day with a pre-dawn market trip to buy ingredients for their dogs’ meals, typically porridge to save on money.
The remainder of the day is a labor of love, with grooming and bathing sessions meticulously organized based on the dogs’ sex and age.
Surprisingly, Dopelis was never a dog enthusiast until she saved a dog from slaughter by workers at a construction site where her husband served as a foreman.
“Dahil sa matinding awa ko sa aso ay nagdesisyon ako na simulan ang misyon na sumagip at mag-alaga ng mga asong pinapabayaan,” Dopelis said in an ABS-CBN News interview.
“Sobrang mahal ko ang mga aso. Kahit buksan ang puso ko mahal ko sila,” she added.
But running the shelter comes with challenges. It requires around Php7,000 a day to cover expenses for dog food and medicine. Fortunately, it receives donations through its social media page, where the generosity of kind-hearted individuals helps keep the shelter’s mission alive.
Those who wish to help may also send money through GCash at 09776478583, according to a Philippine Star report.
