A heated public dispute has erupted between the Happy Animals Club (HAC), a private animal shelter in Davao City, and the local government over plans for a city-owned animal shelter and alleged unfulfilled promises.
Shelter Challenges City's Narrative
On December 3, 2025, the Happy Animals Club issued a strong rebuttal to a statement from the Davao City Administrator’s Office (CAO). The CAO had clarified that a planned "city-owned animal shelter" was a public project, not an exclusive facility for HAC. However, HAC questioned this narrative, pointing out that they were the only shelter invited to preliminary meetings and given blueprints.
"If we are just one of the participants or beneficiaries of the project, how come no other animal shelter has the blueprints? How come we were the only ones at the meeting?" HAC stated. The shelter also raised concerns about the city's unsigned statement and the lack of public documentation for the proposed project.
A History of Complaints and a Broken Promise?
The City Administrator's Office disclosed that complaints about foul odor, sanitation, and noise from HAC's facility were received by the City Health Office in May 2023. After an investigation, HAC agreed to take mitigating measures. Similar complaints from the Matina Aplaya Barangay Council in August 2023 led to another inspection confirming violations, followed by an inter-agency dialogue.
Amidst these issues, HAC claims the city government, through City Administrator Atty. Mark H. Layog in 2023, offered them the use of a government property to settle their looming eviction. "They offered the use of a government property. We agreed, as a way to settle the issue. There were no demands from our side," HAC explained in a Facebook post. The shelter now says this promise was not fulfilled, leaving them in a precarious position.
Eviction Looms, ₱9 Million Needed for Survival
HAC's current crisis stems from a legal dispute over the private property they rent. The shelter, which began renting the space in 2014 for ₱5,000 monthly, was ordered by the court to pay ₱154,000 in restitution to the new landlord and a increased monthly rent of ₱40,000. A final order mandates they vacate the premises by January 1, 2026.
Facing homelessness for its 350 cats and dogs, HAC has launched a desperate fundraising campaign. They told SunStar Davao they need approximately ₱9 million to ₱10 million to purchase new land and relocate. As of the latest update, only about ₱2.15 million has been raised. The shelter operates on a monthly budget of ₱1.8 million, covering payroll for 16 employees, food, and medical care for the animals, which include many disabled and intensive-care cases.
With time running out, HAC is urging fast-track adoptions for its 144 dogs needing homes, warning that without adoption, the animals could be seized and euthanized. They have also reached out to Acting Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte and other officials but claim to have received no response.
Public Reaction and the Path Forward
The situation has sparked significant online clamor, with netizens calling on the Davao City government to assist the shelter. Commenters argue that supporting animal welfare reflects on leadership's compassion and have suggested allocating public funds for such causes.
The City Administrator’s Office maintains that the planned city shelter will follow all legal processes and will not bypass requirements. They emphasized that HAC's animals would not be confiscated if evicted and that potential partnerships with HAC would require a formal Memorandum of Agreement once the public facility is operational.
As the December 31, 2025 relocation deadline approaches, the future of HAC and its hundreds of rescued animals hangs in the balance, dependent on a massive public fundraising effort and unresolved tensions with city hall.
