Ending the dog meat trade

The dog meat trade is one of the most serious animal welfare concerns in the Philippines. The availability and consumption of dog meat are widespread in various parts of the country where the welfare concern lies in the large number of dogs that are taken from the streets and slaughtered. AKF is the first organization in the Philippines to organize rescues, conducted rehabilitation, and provided rescued dogs shelters as soon as the dogs are ready and have completely recovered. It has also pursued the prosecution of dog meat traders and conducts its own surveillance, stake-outs, and raids in full coordination with the Philippine National Police in order to end this practice.

Alongside the Philippine National Police, AKF has also partnered with the Bureau of Animal Industry's – Animal Welfare Division, and National Meat Inspection Service in the implementation of the laws against animal cruelty and, most notably, against the dog meat trade.

Cage-Free, Go Cruel-Free!

The Cage-free, Go Cruel-Free!^[3] is a campaign calling for the improvement of egg-laying hens' living conditions as part of the response to the rising global awareness of consumers to the practices that take place in the farm before their food reaches the market. AKF claims that in a cage-free environment, the egg-laying hens can stretch their wings, run around, and exhibit their natural behaviors.

Education, Adoption, and Care

To achieve the organization's vision of a Philippine nation that is compassionate, responsible, respectful, and loving towards animals, AKF's PEP (Pet Education Program) Squad reaches out to different schools, barangays, and universities to educate the youth about responsible pet ownership, animal welfare, rabies and bite prevention, and more.

AKF places rescued animals for adoption upon their full recovery and rehabilitation. These animals are spayed or neutered as well as vaccinated to prepare them for their new owners. The adopters undergo screening to ensure that the adopted animal will be given proper care. Animal lovers who are willing to adopt, but have no capacity to do so, can choose to sponsor a rescued animal from AKF. Sponsoring a rescued dog will help raise funds for its food, medicine, and housing while they wait for its eventual adoption.

The animals under the foundation's care are managed by various volunteer teams:

• Dog rehoming team - scouts for a potential dog adopter and assists in the process until the dogs are rehomed.
• Kenneling & Socialization - take part in feeding, bathing, grooming, maintenance of the kennels, dog walking, and more as part of the dogs' rehabilitation.
• Veterinary Care - health checks on kennel rounds, facilitates diagnosis and treatment including vaccination and lab works, helps in the quarantine process and rehabilitation of newly rescued dogs, and participates in AKF-organized veterinary missions.

Project SNAP

Animal Kingdom Foundation's Spay, Neuter, and Adopt Program with veterinary services embodies the organization's mission of making veterinary care more accessible to underprivileged pet owners. AKF believes that Project SNAP offers a solution to dog and cat overpopulation. This collaboration with other agencies and groups is held in various communities that need animal care.

CLAWS

AKF has worked, through its CLAWS team, with various government agencies, organizations, and stakeholders in crafting and amending laws that aim to safeguard the welfare of animals making for a more animal-friendly environment.

Its CLAWS team also provides free legal assistance for animal-related cases, lobby for more comprehensive rules and laws for the animals, and give consultations on animal welfare concerns.

Disaster Response

AKF has initiated quick responses during the Mayon and Taal volcano eruptions, flooding, typhoons, and other natural disasters by providing veterinary attention, and feeding and rescue of the affected animals while also providing immediate shelter to the surviving dogs.^[4]

"Voluntourist" program

Combining volunteering and sightseeing, "Voluntourism" according to the AKF is a new form of travel that allows tourists, to contribute to sustainable development while also exploring new places and cultures. AKF says that adventure seekers find that doing volunteer work while on vacation is the best way to experience the best of both worlds.^[5]

We Feed as One

"We Feed as One" was initiated after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Philippine government to institute a lockdown. The "We Feed As One" initiative was created to find ways to go out and feed the strays, source out animal food, and help struggling shelters.^[6]

AKF Rescue and Rehabilitation Center

The AKF Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is located in Capas, Tarlac where it serves as a sanctuary for more than 100 rescued dogs. Here, the rescued dogs get to play around with other dogs and bond with humans as part of their rehabilitation. The AKF shelter is also home to animals such as cats, goats, pigs, and cage-free egg-laying hens.

Clinic

Apart from tending to the needs of the organization's rescued dogs, AKF's low-cost clinic is also open to the public for veterinary services (e.g. veterinary consultation, hospitalization, grooming and hygiene, and vaccine & immunization).^[7]