From the Global Action Network web site.
Despite a national law banning the practice, close to 500 000 dogs are slaughtered and eaten in the Philippines every year. Even though since 1998 it is illegal to consume this meat, the complete lack to enforce this law allows the markets and the restaurants to openly sell live dogs as well as dog meat.
The majority of Filipinos do not consume this meat, but its profitable commerce is growing, especially in the north of the Philippines in and around the region of Baguio City. Here the dogs are treated like vulgar objects. Crammed so tightly into wire cages they cannot move, struggling for every breath in the stifling heat with their mouths tied shut, dogs have their throats cut while still conscious.
Luckily you can make a difference. Canada, like many other nations, have an important commercial relationship with the Philippines. Our Philippines colleagues are putting diplomatic pressure on their government in order to have them act out against the dog meat industry. Act now by sending an email to the ambassador of the Philippines and encourage your friends and family to do the same. Please send a letter to your local Philippines ambassador asking him/her to relay your concerns about the dog meat trade to the Philippines government. Feel free to use the sample letter below.
Canada
His Excellency
Ambassador Jose S. Brillantes
Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines
130 Albert Street, Suite 606
Ottawa, Ontario KIP 5G4
phone: (613) 233-1121
fax: (613) 233-4165
e-mail: embassyofphilippines@rogers.com
United States
His Excellency
Ambassador Albert F. Del Rosario
Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines
1600 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, DC 20036 USA
phone: (202) 467-9300
fax: (202) 466-6288
e-mail: info@philippineembassy-usa.org
website: www.philippineembassy-usa.org
United Kingdom
His Excellency
Ambassador Edgardo B. Espiritu
Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines
9a Palace Green
London W8 4QE
phone: 0207 361 4621
fax: 0207 937 2925
e-mail: consulars@philemb.org.uk
website: www.philemb.org.uk
Germany
Her Excellency
Ambassador Minerva Jean A. Falcon
Uhlandstrasse 97
10715 Berlin
phone: (+49-30) 864-9500
fax: (+49-30) 873-2551
e-mail: berlinpe@dfa.gov.ph
website: www.philippine-embassy.de
Or follow this link to find your Embassy: www.asia-planet.net/philippines/embassies.htm
Sample Letter
Dear Ambassador (name of ambassador),
I am writing to you to express my strong concerns about the dog meat trade in the Philippines. I commend your government for instituting national legislation banning the dog meat trade, but I understand that stronger laws and increased enforcement are needed to put a final end to this cruel practice.
I was horrified to learn from Global Action Network that dogs destined for slaughter in Baguio are transported under such appalling conditions that up to 50% of them die en-route, while the survivors have their throats cut while still conscious.
I urge you to do all within your power to encourage your government to further its efforts to eliminate the dog meat trade completely. As a compassionate traveler, I choose tourism destinations that are committed to treating animals humanely. Only when the dog meat trade has been ended, will I consider traveling to the Philippines.
Sincerely,
(Your name and address)
In addition to writing your local Philippines ambassador you can further voice your concerns directly to the Philippines President through her website or by writing a letter urging her to put an end to the Philippines dog meat trade.
Philippines President webpage: www.op.gov.ph/contact.asp
Philippines President mailing address:
Malacanang Palace
JP Laurel Street
San Miguel Manila NCR 1005
