Rehoming desert dogs in Sibonga, Cebu

A dozen desert dogs in search for a new home, and a third lease at life, was flown from Kuwait to Cebu.

The dogs were on board Qatar Airways that departed Kuwait on August 15, 2025, bound for Cebu.

With the strong communal support of animal lovers both online and offline, dog rescuer Maria Donnabelle Lee and her family were able to settle expenses for transport, vaccination prior to travel, crates, and tickets for the 12 dogs.

Prior to July 31, 2025, Donnabelle made an urgent public announcement through her social media account about dogs in Kuwait in danger with the closure of a shelter.

Donnabelle narrated that the shelter was put up in front of a building on an industrial zone where she works in Kuwait. However, after a few years, the building owner decided to do away with the makeshift shelter, citing that it is already an “eyesore.”

Donnabelle from Sibonga town, south Cebu said that they faced a “heartbreaking crisis when their dog shelter was up for closure, or demolition, by end of July 2025.”

She was extremely worried that should she fail to relocate the dogs in time, they will be released back into the desert and face harsh condition anew; where access to food, water, and shelter is very scarce.

“I was so worried, I panicked. I cried in front of the dogs and asked that they help me pray for assistance. I told them I don’t want to see them thrown back into the desert. The desert in Kuwait does not look exactly like the desert that we know of. This is more of an immense space away from the city with workshops in an industrial zone rather than dunes. Still, it is bereft of the necessities to support life. Besides, these are ageing dogs, and that dogs don’t deserve to live out there with the harsh heat, and harsh winter, despite the lack of snow all the time, still can be very cold."

She cited that heat could go as high as around 50°C and the cold could drop below 10°C.

It was learned that the dogs were rescued from the desert of Mina Abdullah in Kuwait about five years ago, or during the pandemic.

Donnabelle said that there are “23 innocent dogs in their shelter.”

These dogs have been rescued from abuse, abandonment, and hardships but they were set to face another cruel fate with the closure, or demolition, of their home, she added.

“These dogs have known love and safety inside our shelter but unless help arrives urgently, they will be left to suffer in extreme conditions,” Donnabelle said days toward the deadline for the shelter closure.

To make sure they keep the dogs, Donnabelle and her family started a helpline that encourages dog adoption which would give them a safe, loving home, as well as a donation campaign to fund the mobilization and safe relocation of the dogs.

“These dogs don’t deserve to die in the desert. Please help us give them a third chance at life. Whether it’s opening your home, giving a donation, or spreading the word - your action today can save a life,” Donnabelle, and her fellow animal rescuers at The Doghouse Project, said through a campaign post.

Dog sanctuary  

Moreover, a fenced sanctuary is underway in Sibonga, particularly in Guimbangco-an. Donnabelle said her family is fully hands-on with the construction of about 300-square-meter sanctuary, making sure the dogs have a safe and loving space waiting for them.

In fact, she envisions the place to provide lifelong care and nurturing environment for the rest of the dogs she seeks to bring to Sibonga. 

“Thank you to everyone who continues to donate, share, and support. Your kindness is helping change these dogs’ lives - one flight at a time,” Donnabelle said.

It was on July 26, 2025 when Donnabelle confirmed that they have secured the flight for the first 12 dogs.

“As per Philippine regulations, only three dogs per person per year are allowed. With my family traveling with me, we’ll be able to bring 12 dogs on this flight,” she said.

She underscored that all dogs are fully vaccinated and ready for travel.

In a pre-flight photograph, Donnabelle wrote for a caption: “Departing Kuwait for good.” 

Donnabelle, members of her family, and the desert dogs arrived in Cebu on August 16, 2025 - and on to Sibonga - where the dogs have found a new home in their new country.

“I can see that they are very happy. As soon as they arrived, they marked the spaces. You know dogs, they mark their territory. And I am so happy to see them walking and running freely. It seems like a thorn was pulled off my heart,” she underscored, her voice breaking at the thought of the dogs getting a chance again despite insurmountable challenges. 

Not an institution of any kind  

Meanwhile, she pointed out that The Doghouse Project is not an institution of any kind,  contrary to impression.

It is more of an initiative that she, her family, and colleagues started to rescue dogs.

She confided that she is, somewhat, startled and hurt by comments that she should have carried out the rescue in Cebu first where help is needed most.

"I am not totally familiar with current government programs in Cebu, but what I know for sure is that there are government agencies which take care of stray dogs in Cebu. And if only each person in Cebu has the heart to take in one stray - just a single stray - there wouldn't be strays left," Donnabelle elucidated.

"While it pains that some people still have bad things to say, while they knew nothing of the whole story, I draw strength from the opportunity to be able to speak about animal rescue. Maybe these people have not fully understood that these dogs are not just pets, they are family."

Donnabelle emphasized that the dogs are an extended family.

She said that the dogs have provided emotional support to her, her husband, and their children while dealing with uncertainties at the onset of the pandemic.

"These dogs help us pull through days during the pandemic when anxiety and depression have started to set in," she added.

Donnabelle reiterated that rehoming the dogs is necessary, no matter how grueling or how  enormous the cost is, because they are family. Family is about enduring love and unbreakable bond. 

Like a pack of dogs, families are expected to cherish deep loyalty. — GMA Regional TV News