Animal rescues often go viral on television and social media, tugging at our heartstrings. However, few of us are motivated enough to emulate these acts of kindness. But one boy from the Philippines has proved that compassion knows no boundaries. Ken Amante, a 9-year-old from a remote Philippine town, would leave his house every day, telling his father he was going for a walk. Intrigued by his son’s daily routine, Ken’s father decided to follow him one day. What he discovered both amazed and saddened him. While he was proud of Ken’s bravery and kindness, he was also disheartened by the circumstances he found himself in. Ken was carrying a backpack full of food, sneaking off every day, without telling anyone, to feed and care for stray animals. It was a touching display of selflessness and empathy from such a young soul.
Out of sheer curiosity, Ken’s dad made the decision to follow his son.
On a particular day, Ken’s father was overcome with curiosity and wanted to know where his son goes every day. He decided to follow Ken on his walks without disclosing his intentions to see what he was up to. To his surprise, he discovered that Ken had a purpose for leaving the house every day. After following him from a distance, he witnessed Ken feeding the stray dogs on the streets. Rather than ignoring the plight of these animals, Ken chose to do everything in his power to help them, much to his father’s amazement.
Ken was surrounded by a pack of strays that appeared malnourished and in poor health. These animals had lived their lives in constant fear of humans, but they seemed to have developed an immense amount of trust in Ken. He remembered the first time he brought food for them; he had to stand 50 meters away and watch from a distance. The dogs were hesitant to approach the food while he was nearby. However, now they seemed comfortable around him.
Ken has built such a strong bond with the animals that they now trust him completely, allowing him to pet them without hesitation. Capturing the heartwarming moment on camera, Ken’s father was astonished by his son’s deep capacity for compassion towards these malnourished and weak-looking strays. After taking a few pictures, he decided to join in and lend a helping hand to his son.
The canines roaming around are strays, and there’s a high possibility that they’re carrying various infections and illnesses. To avoid any risks, both Ken and his dad made sure to get vaccinated and take proper precautions while playing with them. As a result, they’ve managed to maintain good hygiene practices. With an aim to help the dogs, Ken’s father went ahead and rented a piece of land.
During their visit with the wandering dogs, they came up with names for three of the dogs they recognized on a daily basis – “Brownie”, “Blackie”, and “White”. It was evident that Blackie was the mother of the other two and not in the best health. However, she did not let that stop her from caring for her pups. To assist these animals, they constructed a shelter and created a volunteer group.
Ken had a strong desire to provide care for animals that were often overlooked by others. Together with his father, they established a volunteer organization that aimed to assist homeless animals in their locality. They named the project “Happy Animals Club” and launched it on March 31, 2014. Despite initial challenges, the club has gained momentum and support from the community, leading to its current success.
After much thought, they came up with the idea of creating a special sanctuary for animal rescue and care. Ken’s dad took it upon himself to lease a piece of land in the area close to their residence. The land was secured and open to all sorts of animals that required assistance. In the picture, we can see Ken holding an adorable dog named “White,” who seems to be very content and happy.
Even the cat named “Blackie” appears to be in good health and content after receiving proper care.
Ken’s first encounter with “Brownie” seems like ages ago, as the little pup has grown by leaps and bounds.
