About Philip’s Animal Garden

Philip’s Animal Garden / Philip’s Pet Collection Foundation, is a non-profit organization that focuses on rescuing exotic animals on Aruba and the region. This nonprofit organization is headquartered and registered (# S1064) in Aruba. PAG / PPC was founded in 2009 and is the only organization rescuing and rehabilitating exotic animals in Aruba, which has resulted in an amazing collection of these animals. We provide a suitable living environment for all the rescued animals. Up until now the owner, Philip, has built this shelter with his own efforts; building all the cages from scratch, designing all structures and welding them with his own bare hands. His goal is to upgrade the facilities to a world-class animal shelter with veterinary care and round-the-clock staffs. With the input from the Aruban community and visitors they provide the best care for these animals.

Philip always wanted to be a contributing, visionary and stimulating factor in making this imperative cause a priority under the local community, supplying all those that need it with the necessary information to get acquainted, involved and active with this cause. He wants to develop and adopt a strong and sustainable system, create an outlet that can guarantee and safeguard a high quality standard of living for the population of exotic animals in extinction in Aruba as well as surrounding islands of the Caribbean.

BUILDING NETWORKS WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS LOCALLY AND IN THE REGION!

Biography of Philip Conrad Merryweather

Philip Conrad Merryweather, born in Aruba on the 18th of augustus 1985, the owner and keeper of Philip’s Animal Garden, one of the most exotic and big animal collections in the Caribbean. Philip is the son of Herbert Merryweather (a local business man in Aruba) and Francine Merryweather (a local business woman in Aruba) and the grandson of the first plenipotentiary minister of Aruba.

First experience with rescue animals

Philip has always shown a love for animals. Though he didn’t always had the necessary support from his relatives, he always received the support from his mother and grandfather. One of his first experiences with animals was with a cat named Mischu. Together with his brother (Herbert Merryweather) and a couple of friends they went roller-skating in the neighborhood where he lives. Suddenly Philip noticed a bag with a little kitten in it. The cat was probably dumped along the roadside by its former owners. The cat was malnourished and quite weak. Philip brought the cat home and gave it the necessary care. After a few weeks Mischubecame a beautiful healthy cat thanks to the care of Philip. Since then Philip continued helping animals on the island. Philip soon became known on the island as a pet keeper. In cases where people wanted to get rid of their animals or an animal was seriously injured and needed extra attention, Philip was contacted to find the necessary solution. In most cases the animal was adopted by Philip. This was also the beginning of the beautiful exotic collection.

The first exotic animals

Over the years, Philip’s interest in animals has increased and he became very interested in snakes. In the beginning Philip himself caught two boas on the island. These types of snakes are not loved In Aruba and they are often killed by residents because they do not belong in the nature of Aruba and are considered a felon to the flora and fauna of Aruba. Philip as an animal lover, of course, thinks in very different matter. He gives all of them a fair chance to live and always says: “I have not given them life. Who am I to kill them? “.As soon as his interest for snakes increased, he received an offer from the US for an Albino Burmese Python. He arranged paperwork to import this snake in Aruba as soon as possible. This python was imported with success and thesnake collection increased. Till today this python is still part of the famous collection.

Important contacts in the US

With the support of his mother Philip expanded his collection took care of them on his.He himself made the animal cages and provided a good habitat for the animals at his home. Through his search for animals Philip came in contact with an American named Dominique Ferraro. Dominique was responsible for looking for suitable keepers for the animals belonging to the “petting zoo”. Philip has been given the opportunity to adopt some of these animals. They included spitting alpaca, miniature donkey, miniature horse, zebras, etc. Philip also received the authorization to adopt Red Kangaroos and he extended his collection with these wonderful Kangaroos. Initially it was difficult due to lack of finances but he asked sponsors to help with the animal shelter via the “Philip’s Pet Collection” asylum.

Philips Pet Collection

Besides adopting the animals from Dominique, purchasing the Pythons and other animals, Philip also sheltered many animals in need in Aruba.Philip expanded its collection by giving shelter to the Ocelot tigers Anthony Flanegin and Junny Flanegin. The latter escaped and after 11 months it was caught by Philip again. Furthermore, Philip gave shelter to a bull and a cow whose former owner had a stroke and was unable to take care of his animals. When Philip heard this story he decided to buy the animals from the owner and provide a suitable home to these animals.At the same time when Philip went to fetch the bull and the cow, he noticed that a monkey was loose in the neighborhood. He asked the owner whether the monkey was his. The owner reported that this was the case, but he cannot catch the monkey. Philip could get the monkey for a small price if he would catch it. A while later Philip succeeded to get hold of this monkey, making his monkey collection consist of five monkeys. Some of these monkeys are monkeys that came from Curacao and were abused.

The Philips Pet collection currently also includes a large variety of bird species. Many of these birds also have their own special story. Most are birds with disabilities that require special care. Philip spends his time to take care for them as well as.After collecting a large group of animals the idea came up to establish a foundation in order to get support of others in the collection and care of these animals. Philip is currently engaged in various activities to generate funds in order to create more opportunities for other animals in need and to ensure the best conditions for the animals that he has in his “Animal Garden”.