5 Ways to Create Fond Memories with a PurPAWS

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has been a safe haven of rescued stray dogs and cats for 20 years now. If only animals at the shelter could talk, each one of them have traumatic and painful stories to tell. It may be hard to accept, but not all people treat animals like a human and some irresponsible pet owners refuse to give proper care to their pets.

A lot of stray dogs and cats in the Philippines can be seen roaming on the streets—neglected, abused, starving, homeless, and longing for love. Big thanks to PAWS for being a hero to the strays, for giving them a second chance in life, and for helping them trust humans again.

As of the moment, there are more than 340 rescued cats and dogs at PAWS Animal Rehabilitation Center (PARC). Since the shelter is at full capacity, PAWS is always in need of volunteers and usually asks for donations by launching various campaigns that will benefit all of the shelter’s animals.

Anyone can participate in these annual campaigns and fundraiser events. As an animal rights advocate and furmom myself, I would like to share how you and your pet can have a great bonding moment and help the rescued animals at the same time:

5 Ways to Create Fond Memories with a PurPAWS

5. Go on a PAWS FURst Date.

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Are you single? Taken? Or in a complicated relationship? Whatever your relationship status is, PAWS believes that you always have extra love to share. Take the chance to make an aspin and puspin feel more loved by joining the PAWS FURst Date.

Every February, PAWS opens their shelter as an in-house pet cafe for everyone who wants a unique Valentine’s date. You can bring your family, friends, and significant other to enjoy a 30-minute pawsome date with your chosen cat or dog. It only costs Php300 and is already inclusive of food and drinks for you and your chosen rescued animal courtesy of Coffee Laboratory, Miuccia Luxe Cakes, Swell Sweets Cake Lab, and pet snacks from Whole Pet Kitchen and Smart Heart. You can also take them on a romantic walk around the compound and meet the other shelter animals.

4. Join a Doggie Run.

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PAWS is the beneficiary of this annual fun run organized by Pet Express. A run for a cause with your furbaby is definitely a memorable and fun experience. This fundraising event usually happens during the first week of March at SM Mall of Asia. Thousands of furparents join this event with their furbabies. It also comes with a doggie and human race kit when you register. The most exciting part of the Doggie Run is that your dog will be able to take home lots of freebies, including sample packs from various dog food brands, vitamins, shampoo, pet bowls, and toys. Each dog will be given a medal for being a competitive and cute doggie runner, as well!

3. Attend a Pet Blessing.

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In October, pet parents gather at Skydome in SM North EDSA to get their pets blessed in this Eucharistic celebration. You just have to present your pet’s updated vaccination record in order to attend, and free vaccination is also available at the venue! There is a short program and celebrity performance before the grand blessing to entertain the audience, as well. Anyone can attend the mass and say hi to some of the shelter animals at the event. Donations are very much welcome!

2. Join the Scaredy Cats and Dogs Event During Halloween.

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This is the cutest and fluffiest Halloween party ever! The annual Scaredy Cats and Dogs event is usually held in Ayala Malls. Considered as the most-awaited fundraising event of PAWS and Pet Express, the Scaredy Cats and Dogs is also a competition where lovely cats and dogs dress up and model on stage accompanied by their pet parents to showcase their spooktacular Halloween costumes and talent. This is perfect for the bibo pets out there! The celebrity judges, who are also pet parents and animal lovers, include Tom Rodriguez and Tonipet Gaba. A monetary prize package awaits the winners!

As with the Doggie Run, freebies from Pet Express will be given. The registration fee costs Php300 – 350, and all proceeds go to PAWS. You can also visit their booth at the venue to buy some PAWS merchandise or drop off donations.

1. Be a PAWS Secret Santa.

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Anyone with a generous and loving heart can participate in this yearly Christmas campaign that will benefit the sheltered animals. For the whole month of December, PAWS will feature an adoptable aspin and puspin together with his or her wish list. You can donate some or all of the items from the wish list because every featured cat and dog represents a specific group of rescues with the same condition and experience. This means your chosen monito or monita will share the gifts with their furry friends at the shelter. The more Secret Santas, the more rescued puspins and aspins will benefit. For those who want to drop off their donations at the shelter,  PAWS will arrange a special meet and greet with your furry monitor or monita so you can play with them. In 2019, they also launched a free program “Home for the Holidays” that allows responsible animal lovers to foster a shelter animal so they can spend Christmas and New Year in a home instead of in a cage.

It is a really fulfilling experience to help in simple ways and spend special moments with your pets. If you are planning to add a furry member to your family or if you need a companion, please consider adopting from animal shelters.

Philippine Animal Welfare Society

Aurora Blvd., Katipunan Valley, Loyola Heights, Quezon City

https://paws.org.ph