In celebration of International Dog Day, here are three local projects and campaigns that champion pet adoption, helping fur babies find their forever homes.
August 26 marked International Dog Day, a special celebration that not only honors the love and friendship of our canine companions, but also highlights an important advocacy for four-legged friends. Pet lifestyle expert and author Colleen Paige created the occasion in 2004 with the intent to promote adoption and highlight the importance of responsible pet ownership.
There are plenty of sweet animals looking for good homes, and many of them come from difficult circumstances. While adopting a pet with a complicated history has its challenges, it’s an ultimately rewarding experience to give a living creature a new lease on life and see them flourish with your love.
Whether you’re interested in supporting adoption efforts or adopting a furry friend yourself, here are three local pet adoption projects and campaigns you can check out.
READ ALSO: Loving Homes: 5 Celebrity Fur Parents Who Adopted Their Pets
“A Day in Their Forever Home” Campaign by Dr. Shiba x Pawssion Project
Pet wellness brand Dr. Shiba has partnered with Pawssion Project and photographer Shaira Luna for a unique campaign called “A Day in Their Forever Home.” Together, they aim to boost adoption rates for shelter animals.
Shot in Casa Estrella Private Resort in Bulacan—which the team transformed into a temporary home for select dogs and cats from Pawssion Project’s shelter—the photos capture these animals outside their usual environment, allowing their true personalities to shine.
The organization and its partners will be sharing photos of the shoot across various media platforms, with the hope of changing perceptions about shelter pets and encouraging more adoptions and support, especially for senior animals.
Telling Their Story
Renowned photographer Shaira Luna brought her professional expertise and personal passion to the project. “As a pet owner myself, this project really resonated with me,” she shares. “My aim was to capture each animal’s individual personality, not only to show potential adopters the joy and love these pets could bring to their homes, but more importantly, how they deserve to be loved and cared for.”
Among the stars of the photoshoot were Zorro and Mega, from unwanted litters, now thriving and ready for adoption. One of the most heartwarming moments of the shoot came from Lolo Simba, an elderly dog estimated to be around 11 years old. Malou Perez, who founded Pawssion Project in 2018, shares: “Lolo Simba was part of the first batch of dogs that I got from the pound. He has an enlarged heart and I don’t know for how much longer we can still have him, but we just want to make sure that his remaining days are filled with all of the happy memories.”
Old Is Gold
The Senior Dog Program, which the Pawssion Project will soon be launching, aims to provide specialized care and attention to older dogs like Lolo Simba. This initiative will offer sponsorship opportunities, allowing supporters to contribute to the medical care, special diets, and comfort of senior dogs. The program also includes “weekend excursions,” where approved volunteers can take senior dogs out of the shelter for short trips, providing them with new experiences and social interactions in their golden years.
For those moved by this campaign, there are several ways to make a difference: consider adopting from the Pawssion Project or donating to the Senior Dog Program. Every contribution, whether through adoption, sponsorship, or volunteering, helps create a space for the rescue and care of more animals.
To learn more about adopting a pet or supporting Pawssion Project’s senior pet program, visit their website at https://pawssionproject.org.ph/ or follow @pawssionproject on social media.
Project CALM by PAWS
The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has been dedicated to the protection and promotion of humane treatment for all animals since its inception in 1954. For years, the non-profit organization has set up a number of programs and campaigns that champion animal wellbeing, including neutering and spaying to prevent the increase of unwanted litters.
The group also promotes pet adoption through their selection of rescued cats and dogs, each one looking for their forever home. However, besides adopting and donating resources, those interested in helping can also volunteer to participate in the organization’s various projects and campaigns.
One of their touching endeavors is Project CALM (Comforting Animals through Literacy Movement), which aims to soothe and socialize their shelter animals through reading. Open to people of all ages and backgrounds, from small kids to companies looking for their next CSR activity, the project encourages frightened or anxious animals to step out of their shells by slowly exposing them to gentle, human interactions. It’s an activity that’s not only good for the readers, but also their animal companions, since it helps them better prepare for adoption.
Those looking to book a Project CALM session can do so through PAWS’ website.
Fostering And Adoption for CARA Philippines
While CARA (Compassion and Responsibility for Animals) Philippines distinguishes itself as a spaying and neutering facility (with its catch-neuter-vaccinate-return program), it also has a number of pets up for adoption or fostering. The animals under the organization’s care are all neutered, dewormed, and vaccinated, ensuring that they’re ready to move into their new homes.
From loveable dogs to charming cats, there’s an animal waiting for their new life to start. However, CARA Philippines is also open to fostering, especially for people who don’t intend to adopt, but still want to help prepare animals for the milestone. The organization opens its fostering program to those with experience caring for particular pets, and it usually lasts for three months to a year.
Those who want to help financially can consider donating to the organization, or more specifically, they can decide to sponsor a pet instead. Sponsoring a cat costs about $15 per month or $170 per year, while sponsoring a dog costs about $25 per month or $285 per year. Funds go to food, vaccinations, medical care, spaying or neutering, and toys for a specific furry friend, allowing CARA Philippines to help more pets in the process.
Most of the animals in the organization’s sponsorship program are long term residents without much chance of being adopted (usually senior pets or those with medical problems), so any donation is a big help in improving their quality of life for the remainder of their years.
Learn more about CARA Philippines and its programs, projects, and services through its official website.
