The animals sheltered at the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) center received lovely visitors in the forty candidates of Binibining Pilipinas 2019 on Friday initiated by the Araneta Center’s Pet Pals program in partnership with the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI). The Pet Pals initiative welcomes pet owners and their pets to the premier live-work-play destination in the metro.
The candidates, who are mostly animal lovers and pet owners, found themselves emotionally affected with the sight of the abandoned dogs and cats. They greeted, played and bonded with them just like their own pets. Not a few expressed interest to volunteer at the center after the unique experience.
The PAWS visit is part of the ‘Beyond Beauty’ slogan to embody beauty that’s more than physical which involved attending charity events and workshops, one of the changes applied in this year’s Binibining Pilipinas search under Stella Marquez Araneta.
“I find it very interesting, learning about the legal aspect of dog abuse,” said lawyer-turned would-be beauty queen Patch Magtanong. “There are paper works that need to be made in acquiring dogs like executing affidavits and all. I love both aspins and puspins, they’re caring and loving. So please visit PAWS and adopt,” Patch added.
“We should stop cruelty to dogs, and treat them like family,” Vickie Rushtom stressed. “We should be more aware and more educated about what these animals need, that is what PAWS wants to impart to everyone,” said Samantha Bernardo.
“I’m proud to be a part of this activity. I’m learning about what we need to do concerning animals. Let’s offer them love and we should stop cruelty to animals, and discrimination against aspins throughout the country. I would like to be a volunteer at PAWS,” said Leren Mae Bautista. “I was here last time to adopt a dog and I also like to volunteer to give some care to the animals here,” Aya Abesamis, who have many pets at home including seven aspins, said.
“If you like to adopt, please do drop by at PAWS. Just make sure that you’re ready to be a pet owner,” Julia Saubier said. “I love all animals. These animals need new shelters, and we need to help take care of abandoned dogs and cats,” Ilene de Vera urged. “They’re also humans, they have hearts and mind. We have pets at home and when I have a problem, I share it to them. Please support PAWS,” Emma Tinglao said.
At PAWS, the candidates handed 140 kilos of cat and dog foods for the puspins under the institution’s care. The beauties also were briefed about promoting awareness on how to treat their pets during summer.
