Sibonga, Cebu – Twelve rescued desert dogs from Kuwait have found a new beginning in the quiet town of Sibonga, Cebu, thanks to the dedication and compassion of overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Maria Donnabelle Lee and her family.
PHOTO : CDN Degital/ Donnabelle Lee
From the Kuwaiti Desert to the Queen City of the South
The dogs, often referred to as “desert dogs,” were originally sheltered in an industrial zone in Mina Abdullah, Kuwait. Unfortunately, the arrangement was cut short when the shelter was declared an “eyesore,” forcing the animals into uncertainty. With the shelter set to close by the end of July 2025, the dogs faced the risk of being abandoned back into the harsh desert.
Donnabelle, a Cebuana working in Kuwait, could not let that happen. She turned to social media to appeal for help in rehoming the dogs. Through the support of fellow animal lovers, she was able to gather enough resources to arrange for their safe transport to the Philippines.
The Journey Home
On August 15, 2025, the dogs were flown via Qatar Airways from Kuwait to Cebu, arriving the following day. Philippine travel rules allow up to three dogs per passenger per year, so Donnabelle’s family maximized their combined capacity to bring home 12 at once.
Expenses covering airfare, crates, and vaccinations were shouldered by donations from kind-hearted supporters. “It felt like a thorn was pulled off my heart,” Donnabelle shared as she described the relief of finally seeing the dogs running free on Cebu soil.
PHOTO : CDN Digital/ Donnabelle Lee
A New Life in Sibonga
The dogs are now settling in a 300-square-meter fenced sanctuary in Barangay Guimbangco-an, Sibonga. There, they have the space to roam, play, and begin a new chapter free from fear and neglect. Donnabelle envisions the sanctuary as both a permanent home for the Kuwait rescues and a safe space for other dogs in need.
Upon their arrival, the dogs displayed pure joy running around, marking their territory, and adjusting quickly to their new environment. For Donnabelle and her family, this was proof that all the effort, time, and expense were worth it.
A Story of Hope and Kindness
What started as a desperate attempt to prevent 12 dogs from returning to the desert has now turned into a symbol of hope and compassion. In Sibonga, these dogs are no longer abandoned strays they are family.
Donnabelle’s story reminds us that rescue knows no boundaries. Whether at home or abroad, kindness has the power to transform lives—both human and animal.
Source (s ) GMA News , CDN Degital
