ORMOC CITY – For years, stray dogs in Ormoc wandered the streets — hungry, scared, and unseen. But now, thanks to a new, modern dog pound built in Barangay Cagbuhangin, they finally have a safe place to call home — even if just for a while.
Completed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 4th District Engineering Office under the 2024 General Appropriations Act, the ₱14.7-million facility is more than just a shelter — it’s a space designed with compassion in mind.
With 58 dog kennels, four quarantine areas, and dedicated spaces for veterinary care, the facility also features something unique: a Dog-Oasis Paw Park, where rescued dogs can play, heal, and rediscover trust in people.
“This is a huge step forward,” says Maria Rowina L. Tumulak, secretary of the Ormoc Strays Oasis (OSO), the volunteer group that works closely with the city to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome stray dogs. “The previous pound could only hold about 100 dogs. Now, we can take in up to 400. That means more dogs off the streets, and more chances for them to find loving families.”
But it’s not just about the numbers. For the volunteers at OSO, it’s the little things that matter most — watching a timid dog learn to wag its tail again, or seeing once-abandoned pups curled up peacefully in clean kennels.
“With the improved space, we can spend more time socializing the dogs,” Rowina adds. “That human interaction helps them become more adoptable. And with the new park, they can run, play, and just be dogs again.”
Beyond rescue, OSO also works hand-in-hand with the City Veterinary Office to promote responsible pet ownership — a key part of managing the stray population humanely.
For the volunteers, the new facility is more than just bricks and concrete. It’s a symbol of what a community can do when it chooses compassion.
DPWH Leyte 4th District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura says he is proud their office could contribute to a project that not only improves public safety but also upholds animal welfare.
“It’s inspiring to see how this facility is changing lives — both for the animals and for the people who care for them,” he said.
And for every dog that gets a second chance here, for every tail that starts wagging again, the message is clear: Ormoc is a city that cares.
With reports from Ricky Bautista
