Azel Jai Cabais (BA Journalism), Jewel Soho (BA Journalism), and Lornamyrrh Bandian (BS Tourism) | AIT-NSTP-CWTS 1&2
Posted on August 20, 2024
The lives of animals are as important as those of humans. Their needs are similarly necessary to address; their conditions, both ought to remain thriving and safe. Together, their experiences reflect the community they belong in.
But there is one, among other things, that differs animals from people— amid their plight, they cannot protect themselves alone, unlike humans.
Due to their population increase, many of them— dogs and cats that are mainly stray, rescued, or unwanted— are being brought to pounds, where some of them are being killed. This drove non-governmental organizations for animal welfare to be established and further, provide animal shelters for stray cats and dogs and encourage adopting them, just like PAWSsion Project Foundation Inc., a Bacolod and Bulacan-based nonprofit organization founded by Malou Perez in 2018.
However, even animal shelters have limited capacity in terms of space, facilities, and funds, which eventually affects the animals under their care, too. Moreover, the absence of legislation on this matter worsens animals’ state. Senate Bill No. 2257, titled An Act Strengthening the Adoption of Stray and Impounded Animals Providing Incentives has been pending in the Senate Committee for more than a year.
On July 20, 2024, the NSTP CWTS 1 & 2 DVG class had the chance to visit PAWSsion Project’s shelter in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, and see the current situation of the shelter itself and the animals therein.
After this, the class came up with the “Protectors of Animal Welfare and the Raising of Awareness for Individual Opportunities” Project or PAWRAISO, which consisted of activities, mainly to echo the needs of the organization and the animals and initiate partnerships for them.
One of the caretakers, Labaguis Gil Jr., or Kuya Jun, welcomes the students to the shelter and instructs them on the do’s and don’ts once he opens the inside gate leading to the animals. He also reminds everyone that all dogs and cats inside are vaccinated. Kuya Jun has been with PAWSsion Project since 2019.
Meye-meye is not a guard dog, but she accompanies Kuya Jun in both welcoming visitors and staying by the main gate. She was rescued by Kuya Jun during a storm in 2023, while she was in a shoebox. According to Kuya Jun, Meye looked like a small mouse.
Both Kuya Jun and Meye will turn a year older this August 2024, and as shared by Kuya Jun, they will be celebrating their birthdays together.
While a few dogs stay in the open area, there is a dog house where most of them are. It has benches where people could sit, pens where dogs could go in and out, and a station in the middle where a caretaker could stay.
The loud barks last long every time they see someone entering, but it doesn’t mean any harm. There are dogs who’d try to get up to you since they want to be carried, but as per Kuya Jun’s advice: just pet them, don’t carry them.
Pees and poos are kind of all over the place, so there’s a need to be careful, and volunteers could help clean them too. Some dogs are inside cages and in an area locked by a metal-railed door.
Currently, PAWSsion Project has more than 600 dogs and cats in their two shelters— here in Bulacan, and the other is in Bacolod City.
All visitors are allowed inside to interact with the dogs, but there is one unspoken rule: let them come to you.
It’s crucial to remember that some of them, especially because they were rescued, have past experiences that they are yet to recover from.
Marian, one of the oldest fur residents in the shelter, is already over 80 years old. PAWSsion Project has their own system for determining the age of their rescued animals. For dogs, the caretakers typically estimate their age by examining their teeth.
Labeled a senior dog in the shelter, Marian has seen and experienced much in her long life, yet she remains a gentle soul who brings joy to visitors.
According to the caretakers and volunteers, older dogs like Marian often get overlooked in favor of the younger, more energetic pups. Hence, they wish for potential adopters to provide special attention to senior rescue dogs.
In September, PAWSsion Project will host a virtual fun run called “Wags & Wheels.” The event is a fundraiser to support the costs of medications, maintenance, and rehabilitation for the senior rescued animals and those with disabilities.
Ally, one of our classmates, gives Basha a much-needed bath. She also bathed five other dogs after Basha, with the assistance of some caretakers.
Volunteering at PAWSsion Project goes beyond just visiting. With a limited number of staff and volunteers, there is always a need for extra hands to help with tasks around the shelter— like bathing the cats and dogs.
Currently, PAWSsion Project has limited slots for official volunteers as they work on improving internal workflows. However, walk-in volunteers are always welcome to help at their shelters in Bacolod, Negros Occidental, and San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Students from the class enjoy a walk with the dogs out on the empty street. Aside from feeding, bathing, and playing with the dogs, volunteers may also walk them.
Among these dogs was a beautiful husky, who was left at PAWSsion by its owner, who apparently has moved to Australia. It remains uncertain if it will ever be reunited with its owner, but for now, the healthy husky gets the love it needs from the shelter.
Just as the dog-walking session was underway, volunteers Mary, Anna, and Kenzo arrive with their in-kind donations including animal food, blankets, and sacks of rice for the caretakers.
As an animal lover, Mary pets the husky while Lorna, the PAWRAISO project head, holds on to its leash, and Anna captures the scene on her phone.
The three were first-time on-site PAWSsion volunteers. Mary shared that their shelter visit was long overdue; they had planned it for some time but hadn’t been able to secure slots. Fortunately, a slot opened up on her birthday. Thus, she thought it would be a wonderful way to spend July 20th with the rescued animals.
Having the opportunity to interview the volunteers, Gwen asks the trio some questions about their volunteering experience while in the cats section of the shelter. They share their feelings about meeting the animals for the first time, and how they felt affectionate for them, especially the cats section.
Mary shared that her family has always been passionate about animals, especially her son, Kenzo. She said that as a kid, Kenzo would often bring home stray cats he found on the streets whenever he walked home from school.
Student volunteers from the class mingle with the calm and collected cats within the relaxing cats’ space.
The cats section at the shelter is a separate, serene area dedicated to the feline friends, where one is greeted by the sight of numerous cats lounging and playing, the occasional meowing, and some even sleeping.
Despite having many cheerful dogs nearby, the space maintains a relaxing atmosphere that
has become a safe haven for the kittens.
Gwen interviews Kuya Jun, one of the very dedicated caretakers at the PAWSsion Project Shelter, about his journey on how he became involved with the organization, as well as how the conditions of the shelter have evolved.
Kuya Jun shared how the shelter has significantly improved its facilities, thanks to the support of sponsors. What once lacked a roof and adequate flooring now boasts tiled floors, a huge dog house and cat lounge area, a proper gate, and even a kitchen.
(Both the interviews made with the volunteers and Kuya Jun may be viewed through this link.)
Apriel takes a photo of Lorna petting Tax, one of the sponsored dogs in the shelter.
Even among the animals in the shelter, there is a noticeable disparity— while some, like Tax, have sponsors, others rely solely on the shelter’s limited resources.
Public support can make a world of difference. By becoming a sponsor, one can provide much-needed care and resources to the many dogs waiting for their chance at a better life. Join by bridging this gap and giving every animal the support they deserve.
As the field visit comes to an end, dogs lounge by the big dog house’s entrance, a reminder of the many animals still waiting for their fur-ever homes.
Our time volunteering at and working with the PAWSsion Project has been nothing short of transformative; it has opened our eyes to the struggles of stray animals and the crucial role that shelters play in addressing this issue.
PAWSsion Project has worked tirelessly to ensure that no stray animal is left behind. However, multiple issues on animal welfare constantly plague their advocacies, like the overpopulation of stray animals, which is a pressing problem that has led to overcrowded shelters and, sadly, euthanization in animal pounds.
This shows the importance of animal welfare education. This includes the need for the community to understand their role in neutering and spaying to control the animal population (Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return or TNVR) and awareness about anti-rabies measures, vaccinations, and proper animal nutrition. These efforts not only protect the animals themselves but also safeguard public health and create a more compassionate society.
Policymakers, both local and national, play huge roles, too, in ensuring animal welfare is championed. By enacting inclusive policies in support of our fur friends, providing enough resources for animal care groups, encouraging community engagement, and promoting adoption, the burden on shelters can be reduced and more animals can find loving homes.
Animal welfare is not just about protecting animals; it is about fostering a humane society where all living beings are treated with respect and kindness.
Ultimately, the class’s volunteering extends beyond just helping at the shelter; it was a lesson in empathy, responsibility, and the power of collective efforts to improve the living conditions of animals.
With these, we urge everyone to prioritize animal welfare. Whether you volunteer, donate, sponsor, or adopt, every action counts. Together, we can create a world where every animal is valued and cared for.
Let’s all make a difference, one paw at a time.
Azel Jai Cabais and Jewel Soho are currently sophomore Journalism students from the College of Mass Communication, while Lornamyrrh Bandian is a Tourism freshman from the Asian Institute of Tourism.