For years, PETA Asia has conducted lifesaving clinics on the Philippine island of Taal, helping hundreds of malnourished and exhausted horses who were used to ferry tourists up and down the volcano. Today, the deluge of dust and ash caused by a massive volcanic eruption there is putting the lives of horses—and every other animal on the island—at risk.

Right now, a PETA Asia emergency rescue team is on the ground helping the island’s survivors, providing dogs and other animals affected by the disaster with food, water, and veterinary care.

Please, help ensure that PETA Asia rescuers have the resources that they need to reach as many animals as they can by making an urgently needed gift today.

We Just Keep Going Back
By Ashley Fruno

Do you know about PETA Asia’s clinics on the volcanic island of Taal in the Philippines? Tourists from around the world visit the volcano, and local villagers rent out horses to carry them to the summit. Veterinarians, farriers, and veterinary students are working together on the picturesque island to provide the horses—and the island’s dogs—with care.

Many of the horses are malnourished and underweight. Day after day, they’re forced to climb the steep, rocky path up the mountain with no water and little rest before slipping and sliding back down. When not working, they’re tied to trees or posts in muddy lots in all weather extremes. Often, they’re restrained so tightly that they can’t even lower their heads.

Taal is isolated and far from main cities. Most residents live in poverty, and without PETA’s clinics, the horses would normally never receive veterinary care. One horse owner said, “I am very thankful to [PETA] that they took the time to come here. And they give treatment for free. For poor people like us, if we have to pay, we can’t afford it. Thank you very much to [PETA] and thank you very much to all of you.” So we keep going back!

Relief at Last

Our inaugural clinic—the first such of its kind—was an overwhelming success, as more than 400 horses and dozens of dogs received veterinary care.

As word spreads around the island, more and more people are bringing their animals in for treatment. Some are first-timers, and others return for follow-up examinations and treatment. Hundreds of horses received fundamental care, including vaccinations (for rabies and tetanus, which is very common on the island), deworming, parasite control, and wound care. Many other issues—such as hematomas, colic, saddle sores, thrush, and eye worm—were also addressed. Almost all of the animals needed to have their hooves trimmed and teeth filed—and this is typically the only veterinary care that they’ve ever received. A grateful resident summed up why we’ll continue to provide them with care when he said, “Thank you very much PETA for helping us here in our area in taking care of our animals. Thank you very much for not getting tired of supporting us. Every three months you visit us, thank you very much.”

Addressing the Root of the Problem

Another one of our goals is to work with the provincial government to create fundamental regulations for the treatment of the island’s horses. Even if the rules are basic—such as mandating that they receive adequate food, water, and rest—they would be a step in the right direction.

For the hundreds of animals who have been treated, life is just a little less painful, but there’s so much more work to be done.