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WATCH: Charity Run to End Dog Meat & Animal Homelessness in the Philippines

WATCH: Charity Run to End Dog Meat & Animal Homelessness in the Philippines

In Defense of Animals is proud to partner with SPAR Philippines for the second annual Run for Kapon in Siargao, Philippines on International Homeless Animals Day, August 17! Wherever you are in the world, you can participate to free dogs and cats starving in shelters and end the illegal dog meat trade. Find out how you can take part in this special event… even if you’re not a runner!

Isn’t Dog Meat Illegal in the Philippines? 
Despite the Philippines having some of the best animal welfare laws in Asia, including a ban on the dog meat trade, enforcement remains a significant challenge. Many regions continue to experience rampant dog meat consumption, often hidden from authorities. 

Animal Homelessness Drives Dog Meat
In mountainous areas, eating dog meat is as common as eating chickens. Despite laws prohibiting it, this practice continues covertly. This issue is closely linked to the homeless animal population, which creates a supply chain for this cruel practice.

Dog Pounds Feed the Dog Meat Trade
Out of 143 cities and 1,489 towns, there are just 14 officially registered city pounds. Many town and municipality pounds operate illegally without proper budgets or permits. Staff make money on the side through clandestine dog meat sales, even though it is prohibited. 

Dogs’ lives are given up for as little as $3 (150 pesos). 

Buyers supply the dog meat to street food vendors. Dog meat traders also travel through villages on unregistered motorbikes, knocking on doors and asking households if they are selling their dogs. They even scoop up stray dogs right off the streets.

Shocking Shelter Practices
If a dog or cat is unlucky enough to end up in an illegal pound, they are likely to suffer severe neglect and cruel killing methods. Sadly, it’s all too common for pounds to throw animals into pits and shoot them to death, or inject them with pesticides.

 
 

In Defense of Animals, SPAR Philippines and our partners on the ground are gathering evidence, including photos and videos, to end these cruel pound practices. Please take a moment to sign our alert to hold authorities accountable.


Celebrities Amplify Our Mission

Without public awareness, animal homelessness will continue to feed the dog meat trade and other animal abuse. Luckily, we have some high-profile support! Actor and influencer Andi Eigenmann and the Philippines’ celebrity broadcaster and journalist, Korina Sanchez-Roxas, are supporting this year’s Run for Kapon.


Andi and Korina’s star power amplifies our mission and brings critical exposure to the twin evils of animal homelessness and dog meat. Together, we are sending a strong message to the Philippines government: disrupt the conditions that allow dog meat to thrive!


Partnerships to End Dog Meat
In Defense of Animals collaborates with local and international organizations around the world to end the dog meat trade. It’s possible to create lasting change in the Philippines by addressing animal overpopulation. We can cut off the dog meat supply with one snip — and tackle a whole host of other issues tied to animal homelessness too, including rabies.

Spay & Neuter - Ligayt & Kapon
For animal guardians in the Philippines who cannot bear the expense, SPAR Philippines provides free spay and neuter — “ligayt” and “kapon” in Filipino. Additionally, SPAR runs a rescue haven for over 50 animals who have been abused in different forms. With demand so high, they are struggling to keep up and need our urgent help.


How You Can Help

Creating lasting change to end animal homelessness and dog meat cruelty requires collective action. Last year’s Run for Kapon successfully focused over 100 people on this single, important goal:


Run for Kapon 2024 aims to snip a whopping 500 dogs and cats. For every $17 you raise or donate, you can spay or neuter one cat or dog!

Your participation and donations are crucial in our fight against animal cruelty to create a brighter future for animals. You can join us in solidarity with Run for Kapon, whether you’re a runner or not.


What YOU Can Do

Wherever you are in the world, we urge you to do a 5k walk, roll, or Run for Kapon! All participants get a free Run For Kapon tank top.* When you reach fundraising milestones, you’ll earn rewards like an In Defense of Animals logo tote, water bottle, and even an exclusive stay at our Freedom Farms sanctuary!


If you’re not able to walk, roll, or run, you can still take part to help end dog meat. Every $17 you give will spay or neuter a needy cat or dog and keep their babies out of harms’ way. Help us reach our goal to spay and neuter 500 dogs and cats!

Spaying and neutering is a strategic solution to reduce the animal population, making it difficult for dog meat traders to find their victims. Sponsor, walk, roll, or Run for Kapon to fight dog meat, rabies, and animal cruelty… let’s create a better future for our furry friends!

 

Thank you for being part of the solution to end dog meat worldwide.

*Free shipping to U.S. mainland only.

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