Mich Van Der Kleij of Aklan Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (ARRC) rescued Felicia from the pound where she was supposed to be put down (euthanized). While there, Katie Dunton, an American donor and visitor of ARRC, fell in love with sweet Felicia. However, Katie had to fly back to Massachusetts and could not handle all the things that needed processing to get Felicia to the United States.

When she asked around for export services for dogs, the quotes were atrociously expensive. Katie almost lost hope of ever getting Felicia, but Mich of ARRC knew that Philippine Animal Welfare Association (PAWS) has had some experience transporting dogs to the US. Among them was Wacku, a dog whose upper snout was hacked off by a bolo-wielding drunkard in Samar. Wacku was treated by PAWS and then was able to find a home for him by coordinating with humane societies in the US.

When ARRC reached out to PAWS, the first thing its executive director Anna Cabrera did was post on her personal page.

Felicia needs a ride

“Is there any one flying to Boston or any one flying to JFK international airport from the Philippines some time May or June 2026?

“Her adopter cannot afford to pay for the roundtrip ticket of a flight volunteer to the US but can only pay for the $500 add-on fee that will be charged for a dog flying with someone.”

“PAWS is happy to process the documents, titer tests etc. and the adopter will cover these as well, but cannot afford to pay for RT airfare of the person so we were hoping for Felicia to ‘hitch’ with someone with plans to book a flight and fly back to JFK from Manila in May or June 2026.

“Please comment below if you are the answer to our prayers. Felicia (and her adopter) will be forever grateful for your help.”

Migi of Bow House saw the appeal and featured Felicia on the store’s site, where Philippine Airlines responded and generously volunteered to fly her home.

Project: Bye Felicia

The moment Felicia’s sponsored flight was locked in, a Group Chat among PAWS, Bow House and PAL was created and it was named “Bye, Felicia!” With all these groups and individuals already heavily invested in Felicia, the weeks of waiting were filled with a bit of anxiety.

When Felicia arrived at the PAWS shelter from Aklan, blood tests revealed that she had a blood infection that needed to be treated first. It took five more months for the medical rehabilitation before she could complete the vaccinations needed to meet the US’ strict import requirements. For those months that she stayed at the shelter, Bow House — a company that makes dog beds — made sure that Felicia had a bed while she waited at the shelter.

When PAWS finally announced on its social media pages that Felicia would be flying home on 21 July, the news quickly went viral. Some even commented jokingly that it was another case of a “kababayan na nakaahon na naman sa kahirapan.” PAL, to celebrate their VIP passenger’s upcoming trip, even sent Felicia a stuffed toy airplane when they visited her at PAWS about a week before the scheduled flight.

The airport and a plane ride

Cristina Martinez, a director at PAWS, shared with us her experience of transporting Felicia to the US.

“Everyone at PAWS was excited for Felicia as she started her journey to the US,” Martinez began. “Like all the animals in our shelter, she is deeply loved by our staff and volunteers. She has the sweetest personality and never fails to greet everyone with warmth and a happily wagging tail. We are truly grateful to PAL for making this journey possible and for helping Felicia get one step closer to her new life.”

Martinez was so impressed with PAL employees who took care of Felicia and all the PAWS’ volunteers who went to see her off. PAL assisted PAWS from check-in at NAIA all the way to Martinez’s arrival in the US.

“The PAL team in Manila even accompanied us to the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) office to process Felicia’s clearance, and I truly appreciated their assistance every step of the way,” she narrated. “I was also very grateful that the airport security allowed Felicia to walk with me from the airport entrance to the BAI office before check-in. I wanted her to be out of the crate for as long as possible before the flight, knowing she’d have to stay in it for the journey.”

It was with much comfort that staff reassured Martinez that Felicia would be comfortable throughout the flight, which gave her peace of mind. Still, she was looking forward to seeing her again at JFK Airport.

“I was so relieved when I called her name and saw her wagging her tail,” Martinez shared. “It was such a comforting sight after the long journey.”

First days in the US

Upon Felicia’s arrival, Katie Dunton, Felicia’s new fur-mom, lost no time in sending updates. She sent photos of their visit to the doggie parks, to a big pet supply store visit so that she can choose her new toys, and her first few days of getting to know her new fur-sibling Jenny.

Migi said it best when he said the reason the internet is celebrating Felicia — an Aspin- leaving the country — “is not because the grass is greener on the other side.”

“It’s because she made people feel things for a dog they’ve never met and made it a little easier for the next dog in need to find a home, too.” PAL says it is exploring ways to help rescued Aspins like Felicia get reunited faster with their adoptive parents in different parts of the world as part of the company’s CSR.

A furry angel

Katie’s most recent Facebook post, meantime, says: “Felicia (whom she renamed “Kalibo”), our newest family member, has unique white markings on her shoulder blades. I choose to believe that’s where her angel wings were when she came from Heaven.”

And maybe Felicia is indeed an angel in disguise. Sent here so that we all realize that Aspins should be treated better and they all deserve loving homes.