This 22-year-old woman met an aspin near their home in Parañaque City in 2020.
She started feeding the dog named Ogie and their family eventually adopted him. A year after, she thought of starting an initiative to feed stray animals. From being in a one-man team, she now has 150 volunteers all over Luzon!
“Gusto ko siya maging movement kasi parang kailangan na magstep out ‘to di pwede ako lang pati mga nasa paligid kasi nagulat po ako parang ilang months lang, ‘yung aso na pinakain ko, pinakain na nila. So nagkaroon ako ng idea, “ah pwede siya,” kaya ayun po ginagawa ko, pwede pala maging movement,” Pola Berba told The Philippine STAR.
On January 24, 2021, founder Pola Berba officially launched “Stray Haven,” an organization that conducts feeding programs for stray animals.
“Allowance ko muna tapos ‘yung mga friends ko nagdonate na, “ayan magpakain ka,” pero pangarap ko na talaga siya simula bata. Maka-animals talaga ako,” she recalled.
Her initiative resulted in a domino effect not just in their hometown but also in other areas in Luzon.
“‘Yung una sa place lang namin, isang taon na ako lang pati mga friends ko. After December 2021, doon ko siya initiate na ok kailangan natin, since dumami kami at madami nagdodonate doon, nung una dalawang area lang Paranaque at Las Pinas pero kasi po ang dami pong gusto magjoin kaya meron po kaming 8 locations po ngayon,” she said.
All food preparations were made in their house in Parañaque and delivered to eight different locations for the feeding program for stray animals.
Volunteers are tasked to distribute the food in their area. Currently, there are 8 locations: Manuyo dos, Parañaque City, CAA, Las Piñas City, Gatchalian, Las Piñas City, Molino, Bacoo, Quezon Cit, Manila, Muntinlupa City and Bicutan, Taguig.
Berba said that volunteers only reached out to her through social media after seeing her initiative.
“‘Yung four locations na-meet lang online. Parang gusto lang nila mag-ano, parang doon sa Quezon City, meron ba sa Quezon City, tinanong po namin sila, ‘gusto niyo po ba maglead?’ Tapos ‘yun na po, ‘ok sige may maglelead doon.’ Kasi wala naman po silang ginagastos, volunteers lang po talaga kailangan namin,” Berba shared.
Earlier this year, Berba decided to document their stray feeding process from buying groceries to cooking and distributing.
It instantly became a hit on TikTok! Netizens follow her journey as she continues to take care of stray animals.
She was also able to reach generous donors! Last month, she received a total of P20,000 from individuals who wanted to support her initiative.
“In-kind, mga dog food ‘yung donation, wala po akong tinatanggap na money not until this year. Actually dumami lang money donation last month, dahil sa Tiktok. Doon lang talaga ako may nakahawakang pera, pero hanggang May kami kami lang ng friends ko. May mga nagdonate na nasa Pilipinas, may mga Pilipinong from abroad, may 2 o 3 galing abroad,” she said.
Volunteers of Stray Haven, which consists of all age groups, conduct feeding program every first Sunday of the month.
“Kasi ang goal ko po sa Stray Haven, since di po kami magkapagrescue ng animals since wala pong locations, ang ginagawa po namin aside from stray feeding, nagdodonate po kami sa shelters. Goal ko po kasi maging movement siya like to inspire other people. Na ‘yung stray, di lang siya stray dogs, may buhay din siya, importante din siya kasi di naman nila pinili maging stray diba. Parang may gentle, o kaya kapag di mo sila matulungan, look [out] for them. Ganun ang gusto namin mangyari for Stray [Haven],’ Berba said when asked on the organization’s future plans.
For those who wish to support the initiative, you may send your donations thru:
Pola Berba
GCASH
09352360044
BPI
7386-2479-21
