Jona says pets should not be left behind during calamities

MANILA  -- Singer Jona was among ABS-CBN artists who gathered on Friday for the online donation drive "Tulong-tulong Hanggang Dulo," to help those who have been affected by the onslaught of severe tropical storm Kristine in the Philippines. 

Aside from sharing her talents, the singer-performer also shared her love for pets that are sometimes left behind during calamities. 

According to the singer, despite the heavy rain and strong winds brought by tropical storm Kristine on Thursday, she and her manager decided to pick up one of her rescued pets from a veterinary clinic. 

"Kagabi kailangan po naming pumunta sa vet clinic kasi for discharge na po 'yung rescued na pusa po namin na na-confined for how many days so ayun nasa labas po kami kalsada," she told ABS-CBN News.

She recalled in not minding the danger of heavy rains and floods on the road. 

"Siyempre nakakatakot 'yung feeling kasi pabugso-bugso ang lakas ng ulan lakas ng hangin, tapos may mga nababalitaan kapa sa social media na hindi lang lubog sa baha kundi lubog sa putik, buhangin at lahar so talagang nakaka-heart broken po," she added. 

Aside from fostering neglected dogs and cats, Jona also revealed that the shelter she provided for rescued pets was partially damaged. 

"Iyung mga rescues (pets) po namin na nasa Tanay, ang hirap sa pakiramdam kasi we cannot be there so ang andon lang 'yung mga caretaker, so nag-report sila sa amin na natutuklap nga daw ang mga flooring nila and plastic matting nila, imagine mo 'yung takot nila and stress ng mga alaga namin na andon pero nagawan naman po ng paraan na-transfer lang sa ibang houses so far okay naman sila, so pag bumuti na ang panahon kailangan lang i-reinforce 'yung mga medyo nasira," she said. 

As an animal rights advocate, the singer-performer also shared their little ways to remind pet owners to not leave them in times of calamities. 

"Ano talaga eh, sa ngayon ang pinaka-makakagawa ko lang talaga is to post on social media and to encourage, to remind ang mga kababayan po natin na huwag rin nilang iwan ang mga alaga nila. And ano rin kapag may nadadaanan rin po kami along the way na mga aso, may mga owner sila pero nasa kulungan pero hindi re-inforeced ang mga tabing nila kasi sa lakas ng ulan at hangin nababasa rin sila sa kulungan so kumakatok kami sa bahay ng may-ari para i-remind and sabihin na baka puwedeng matakpan ng trapal," she said. 

Aside from extending her help to our kababayans, Jona also shared words of encouragement and asked the public to be a responsible pet owner.

"Sa lahat po ng mga kababayan po natin na nasalanta ng bagyong  Kristine, kapit lang po tayo and wag po tayo mawalan ng pag-asa and in time, makakabangon rin po tayo and huwag po kayong mag-alala kasi darating rin po ang tulong na kailangan po natin. Sabi nga ni sir Jeff (Canoy) kanina, patience lang may-darating at darating na tulong," she said. 

"And sa lahat naman ng fur parents and lahat ng mga may alaga mapa-farm animals man or dogs and cats, huwag po natin silang pababayaan, huwag po natin silang kakalimutan kapag may mga ganitog sakuna may god bless us all po," she added. 

Apart from showing her support with the ABS-CBN Foundation donation drive, the singer has also decided to make a step by donating her talent fee for the upcoming shows she will do this coming November. 

"Iyung mga upcoming shows ko po this November plan ko po i-donate 'yung some of the talent fee ko sa mga paparating ko po na shows this November para kahit paano maka-help," she said.

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