Fiercely determined, Ortiz likes to “get down to the problem” and sees the country’s animal welfare, or lack thereof, situation as definitely not a “one size fits all”.
To support her rescue operations, Ortiz set up a social enterprise. Biyaya runs three veterinary care clinics, two in Mandaluyong, one in Makati, and a sanctuary for her rescues in Alfonso, Cavite.
The funds from the clinics, aside from donations from generous benefactors, also fund kapon or spaying or neutering of animals in communities.
They also fund the care and upkeep for those they rescue from the most dire of situations, at times in the middle of the night and in the middle of nowhere.
“There are many armchair experts”, but not many who get their hands dirty, says Ortiz. “I like to understand, see, smell and feel what’s going on”.
Her advocacy has been a comprehensive understanding and appropriate response to each situation.
On any given day, she can be collecting a dog from a family who can no longer afford its upkeep, or rescuing another from someone with mental health issues — or in extreme cases, filing a case against just plain evil “hoomans”.
Ortiz is also spearheading anti-rabies efforts throughout the country, going literally door-to-door to ensure local governments prioritize what should have been eradicated long ago, but in the first quarter of 2024 alone, has already seen 86 human casualties.
As of this writing, Ortiz has donated 30,000 doses to LGUs across the country to rejig an effort that has sadly taken a backseat to, understandably, issues like food security.
“Animal welfare is human welfare,” Ortiz reminds. “And the model of impounding and euthanizing animals is outdated. We need critical thinking. We need to be creative [with solutions].”
She hopes Biyaya’s work can lead the way in opening up the public’s minds as to humane and sustainable solutions which already exist and the best practices of which are already being done elsewhere, but has sadly not garnered enough attention or support locally.
One best practice is animal-led therapy, and Ortiz has found support in of all places, Bilibid Prison, where inmates learn to care for animals.
Next in line: turning former penal colonies into shelters and perhaps, funding a TESDA-type school to create the next generation of veterinarians who will carry on her work as tirelessly as she does.
Margarita is a multi-faceted writer having published articles across newspaper sections and different print publications, from food to socials, to parenting, lifestyle, travel, and socio-economic issues.
![“The model of impounding and euthanizing animals is outdated. We need critical thinking. We need to be creative [with solutions]',” Ortiz says. (Contributed photo)](https://insiderph.com/uploads/articles/rina-ortiz-animal-welfare-is-human-welfare-5-1179x1178.webp)
