The city government of Davao and the Happy Animals Club (HAC) are at odds after the city released a statement on Monday denying that it had promised the non-profit animal rescue organization, Happy Animals Club, a new site and reiterating that its 2023 closure stemmed from sanitary violations.
The issue stemmed following the recent social media post of HAC informing it may be evicted from its shelter, accusing the city of allegedly failing to deliver a promised relocation site.
HAC said it repeatedly reached out to city officials through formal letters and by attending a city-organized event, but received no response.
The group said it now faces uncertainty over where to house its animals if eviction proceeds.
On Monday, the City Administrator’s Office issued a statement of clarification amid growing online speculation over the city’s dealings with HAC.
It said complaints of foul odor, sanitation problems, and noise at HAC’s Matina Aplaya facility were first filed in May 2023, prompting inspections by the City Health Office (CHO).
It also mentioned that a second round of complaints in August that year led to another inspection that confirmed sanitary violations, followed by an inter-agency dialogue with HAC on October 24, 2023.
The city stressed it has no involvement in the ongoing private court case over the property HAC occupies and noted that the organization is privately run and not entitled to city funding.
It also rejected claims that it had offered HAC a government-owned property, saying the local government is developing a city-owned animal shelter intended for public use.
HAC, it said, was invited only to provide input as an advocate, and any partnership would require a formal agreement.
The city added that feasibility studies for the shelter are ongoing, and procedures cannot be expedited “based solely on posts circulating on social media.”
The city further clarified that if HAC is evicted by the private landowner, all animals will remain under HAC’s responsibility and will not be confiscated.
Meanwhile, HAC issued a statement accusing the city of issuing “blatant lies” and “gaslighting.”
HAC maintained that city officials promised them access to a government property in 2023 at the height of public backlash over their closure.
The group questioned why it was the only animal welfare organization present in meetings, why it was shown potential sites, and why city staff requested a list of facility requirements if the shelter was not intended for HAC’s use.
HAC also challenged officials to issue signed, on-record statements denying that discussions about an exclusive site took place, saying both HAC and witnesses could provide affidavits to support their account.
The organization said it must vacate its current property due to the private land dispute and is now raising funds to relocate its animals, reporting P2 million raised so far.
HAC said it is prepared to show documentation to media outlets, while the city insisted its actions are guided by regulatory processes.
As of press time, the city has not responded to HAC’s rebuttal.
