The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is a
volunteer-based non-government organization whose goal is to
prevent animal cruelty through education, animal sheltering and
advocacy. PAWS believes that the creation of a more peaceful
society starts with the widening of mankind's circle of compassion
which includes animals, thereby envisions a nation that respects
animals, practices responsible pet ownership and protects
wildlife.
The PAWS Animal Rehabilitation Center (PARC) located at Aurora
Blvd., Katipunan Valley, Loyola Heights, Q. C. serves as a
temporary shelter for dogs, cats and other animals rescued from
cruelty or neglect with the ultimate goal of rehabilitating them
and placing them in loving homes. Part of PAWS life-saving work at
PARC is empowering people by providing volunteer opportunities to
help animals so that everyone can do their own share in making the
world a better place for all.
PAWS HistoryPAWS was founded in 1954 by Muriel Jay, a British
educator who was, at that time, residing in the Philippines. The
organizations first members were handpicked by Jay and Nita
Hontiveros-Lichauco, the current president of PAWS, was one of
them.
Hontiveros-Lichauco recalled that PAWS, as a new organization
then, would make stuffed toys and other items which she and the
other members would sell to gain funds. They also had a clinic
where they provided services for injured animals and two bicycle
patrols that they used to save stray animals from the streets.
However, PAWS became dormant when Jay went back to England. It
was in 1986, when Hontiveros-Lichauco reorganized PAWS with a new
team of professional volunteers which were primarily veterinarians
and educators.
It was in 1996 when the present batch of PAWSs members joined.
The new volunteers, which were mostly the youth, came out with more
aggressive ideas in promoting the advocacies of the organization.
These ideas are still enacted by PAWS at present.
Contacts with various international animal-protection group
increases. PAWS is in constant touch with organizations like the
World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), People for
Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and Humane Society
International (HSI). On September 1, 1999, PAWS became an associate
of the Royal SPCA of UK. Similarly, on the local scene, PAWS was
made a member of the National Disaster Coordinating Council under
the Department of National Defense, and participated in the
rescuing of abandoned and injured animals from a residential
village (Cherry Hills) devastated by landslide.
Mission
The Philippine Animal Welfare Society exists to prevent cruelty,
alleviate pain, fear and suffering in animals and to promote a
society based on humane principles.
Vision
PAWS is a credible nationwide non-profit organization, composed
of a network of committed, compassionate and trustworthy
individuals and institutions that initiates and leads in the
promotion of animal welfare, and the protection of all animals.
PAWS envisions a nation that respects animals, practices
responsible pet ownership, and protects wildlife.
Values Compassion and respect for animals Commitment to the
vision and mission of PAWS Dedication to the assigned role in the
organization Respectful conduct towards each other regardless of
position Honesty and trustworthiness Integrity Discipline
(faithfulness to norms, standards; compliance to organizations
rules, policies and standards) Loyalty to the organization Programs
and Advocacies
PAWS is against the abuse of animals in any form. For years, the
organization defended animals and reminded the people of animal
rights by organizing different programs. Here are some of the
organizations successful and on-going projects and programs:
Republic Act 8485
Since its reorganization in 1986, PAWS has been actively
lobbying for the Republic Act 8485 or the Philippine Animal Welfare
Act. However, the government was still not ready for it by that
time.
PAWS and its volunteers never gave up on their goal and came up
with a revised Animal Welfare Bill which they diligently pursued in
the Senate of the Philippines, and the Congress of the Philippines.
On February 11, 1998, the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 (also known as
the Republic Act 8485) was signed into the law by the then
president, Fidel V. Ramos.
Dog Meat Trade
PAWS was responsible for a huge legal victory in the Northern
Province of Benguet on April 2006. The province sought to take
advantage of a loophole in the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, which
allows the consumption of Dog meat as a cultural and ritual
practice, but not for commercial purposes. PAWS found out that
Benguets Dog Meat sprung not from cultural practice but that of
just commercial purposes. After a massive world-wide letter
campaign and with helps from other local animal welfare groups, the
Benguet local government gave in. On May 2006, PAWS met with the
national Meat Inspection Services, a division of the Philippine
Department of Agriculture. Some of the main goals of the meeting
were to close the loophole in the Animal Welfare Act of 1998,
prevent circumventions in the law, and establish clear methods of
enforcing the law. PAWS has also helped the local government of
Quezon city in the creation a dog pound which could help reduce the
dog meat trade in the city.
PAWS Animal Rehabilitation Center (PARC)
PAWS Animal Rehabilitation Center or PARC is the first real
animal shelter in the country. It is PAWS most ambitious project to
date and is now serving as a center for charitable veterinary
services, catering to the pets of the low-income sector, providing
temporary shelter to the countless number animals who are victims
of cruelty and neglect.
PARC is a temporary shelter for abandoned and stray dogs and
cats and is found at the back of Ateneo de Manila University in
Quezon City. It aims to find new homes for the dogs and the cats
through its adoption program patterned after some western animal
shelters. With PARCs visibility, PAWS aims to enhance the Filipinos
awareness of animal welfare.
PARC became a favorite destination for field trips, where
students are taught to love and care for animals, as well as
nature. At present, it has already received thousands of students
from various schools within Metro Manila and other provinces.
In 2006, the shelter responded to over 1,300 calls from
beleaguered pet owners asking for simple pet health care advice and
reports of animal cruelty. By the time PARC opened in 2002, over
500 rescued and rehabilitated animals have been re-homed.
Part of PAWS life-saving work at PARC is empowering people by
providing volunteer opportunities to help animals so that everyone
can do their own share in making the word a better place for
all.
The PAWS Animal Shelter is located along Aurora Blvd at the
boundary of Marikina and Quezon City.
Spaying and Neutering
PARCs clinic offers a low-cost neutering of dogs and cats to
solve the problem of pet overpopulation. PARC believes that as
these animals continue to breed, possibilities of them dying and
being hurt and abused, would just increase.
Dr. Dog Program
Dr. Dog is an animal-assisted therapy program founded by Jill
Robinson, MBE of Animals Asia Foundation, based in Hong Kong, Dr.
Dog is a program run by Animals Asia.
PAWS is the coordinator and the implementing arm of Dr. Dog in
the Philippines. In 1997, "Pakko", a german shepherd, was named as
PAWS' first Dr. Dog. PAWS, with Pakko and a dalmatian named
"freckles", visited facilities like Tahanang Walang Hagdanan (House
Without Stairs) a home for disabled children and adults and the
HOPE school for Special Children.
Other organizations that have benefited from the Dr. Dog
program: Greenhills Music School Bantay Bata Rescue Centre
White Cross Orphanage Community of Learners CRIBS
PAWS conducts the Animal Asia Foundation's Doctor Dog Program in
the Philippines (animal-assisted therapy).
Dr. Dog Philippines Contact Details:
The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Anna
CabreraTel/Fax: (632) 475 1688 Email: [email protected]
Education
PAWS visits schools and the strength of its Humane Education
program lies in its Preschool modules - teaching very young kids
kindness and responsible pet ownership through puppet shows, action
songs and meet-the-Professor Dog sessions.
It also offers free talks and lectures for grade school, high
school and university students.
Since 2005, PAWS has been tied up with Center for Social
Concerns and Action (COSCA) - the community service arm of De La
Salle University - for advocacy and direct service projects
promoting animal welfare.
A short educational video at the PARC multi-purpose hall
Seb
Rescuers found Sebastian as a pup. He was dragging his two legs
behind him and he was a pitiful sight to behold. X-rays revealed
that an impact - probably from a car - had caused Seb to lose the
use of his hind legs.
The pup could still poop and pee normally but serious
discussions had immediately begun in the PAWS clinic. The main
concern was - if Seb was in any pain - and if he could have a good
life even with his disability.
A volunteer who was trying to be optimistic in the midst of all
the sad and serious faces brought out a doggie toy and called out
to Seb.
The puppy 'leaped' into a frenzy, going into an enthusiastic
'play' mode, running after the offered toy and shaking the toy
vigorously once he caught it with his jaws.
The somber group stopped in the middle of their
"to-euthanize-or-not-to-euthanize" meeting and looked at each other
in disbelief.
Here was a pup who seemed oblivous to the fact that he was a
paraplegic dog. He chased after the toy that was thrown for him
again, and after shaking the toy for a few seconds, looked up
eagerly - as if to say "Please throw the toy again for me!"
Seb was sunshine on two legs - this was apparent on his first
day - and it seemed only fair that he be given a chance to find a
loving home, just like the rest of the other 'normal' rescued
dogs.
The rules that were laid out for volunteers were simple: do not
let Seb 'run' outdoors especially on rough concrete flooring
because he would surely scrape himself as he zoomed out into the
open, running on two forelegs with abandon.
Eyes bright and always on an imaginary target ahead, the dog
seemed to have absolutely no inkling that he was different from any
other dog. Those who watched him likened him to a kangaroo,
bouncing up and down in the thick bundles of cloth that volunteers
wrapped him in before taking him for a 'walk'.
And so it was that Seb became an "indoor only" shelter dog. Even
indoors, his 'diapers' unraveled quickly as he ran after every
shelter volunteer in sight, trying to get a belly rub or two.
One day, as PAWS volunteers Sheila Frasco and Noel Trinchera
played with the "special" pup who had now grown into a medium-sized
dog, they decided to make him an improvised wheelchair.
Seb played through all the measurement and fittings done by
Sheila and Noel in the succeeding weeks. He had become such a
rambunctious dog that just holding him down and keeping him still
was a challenge, but the determined pair persevered.
Tina - a valued PAWS supporter - had adopted from the shelter
before. She took one look at Seb who was already on his 8th
month-stay at PARC and immediately asked, "Okay, when can I take
him home?"
Seb at the time of rescue
Seb is now the best friend and bedmate of Tina's son, Kiered
Santino and Catherine at the time of rescue Santino on his 2nd
day at PARC
Catherine, on his 2nd day at PARC Catherine, after a few months
of rehabilitation
Santino, on her 2nd day at PARC Santino TODAY at the PAWS Animal
Shelter waiting for his forever-loving home
Santino and Catherine
The woman who kept them believed that she was doing the best for
them. The neighbors had reported her to us as slightly demented and
PAWS had for her a written warning that she was not to take in any
animal once we had confiscated these dogs from her.
After the letter had been given, we turned to face the rescue at
hand: By the doorway of the woman's dilapidated house stood six (6)
'living-dead' dogs - dogs whose bodies you could use to illustrate
where the different bones began and where they ended.
Even in their emaciated condition, the eyes of the dogs told us
that they were used to being held and caressed.
"They are poor, innocent angels," one of the volunteers said
tearfully when she noticed that the dogs were looking pleadingly at
all of us the entire time that we were loading them gently into the
crates.
Doc Maripi, our vet on duty at the time of rescue, said it was
hard to tell if these dogs would make it through the week. She also
commented on the dogs' sweet and angelic demeanor despite their
body conditions.
For this reason, all the dogs were named after saints or saintly
characters on TV- Claire, Agatha, Catherine, Gertrude, Lucy and
Santino. Santino seemed to need the most prayers because he was
weak and had to be on dextrose fluids the entire night.
When little Santino gained a fair amount of weight within his
first few days at the shelter, rescuers praised the heavens and
knew that a miracle was unfolding before their very eyes.
Santino believes in miracles and so do we. We believe that many
miracles come about through hearts that give and reveal themselves
to those who open their homes to share it with anyone, with any
creature who needs it the most.
Everyday, PAWS rescues and rehabilitates dogs like Santino and
Catherine until they are ready to be put up for adoption.
The Difference between them
is your Compassion
PAWS Needs Your Help
Help us continue to help the animals.
Donations may be deposited in any of the following banks:
Bank of the Philippine Islands Swift no. BOPIPHMMBPI USD Account
# 3944-0021-61 BPI PHP Account # 3943-0086-11
Philippine National Bank Swift no. PNBM PHMMPHP
Account#072-830174-0
Donors are suggested to fax to PAWS (475-1688) or email
[email protected] a copy of their validated deposit slip,
unless they wish to remain anonymous.