Animal statistics reveal the country has more than 14 million stray dogs. Most of them end up dying on the streets or euthanized at the pounds.

So, for the more than 50 former stray dogs gathered with their adoptive families at Ayala Malls Manila Bay last Sunday, it was a celebration of second chances, compassion and the joy of finding a home.

Dubbed “STRAY-vivor Family Day,” the event was organized by BabyDoge Philippines and the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) in celebration of International Homeless Animals Day, an annual observance that calls attention to the millions of companion animals around the world who remain without homes.

“These dogs are living proof that strays can become someone’s beloved companion, someone’s best friend and a very important member of the family,” said Atty. Anna Cabrera, executive director of PAWS.

Cabrera, who also leads the organization’s prosecution against animal offenders, said that strays are animals that people have failed. “And it is also another kind of person who can make up for this failure and give these dogs the life they deserve — it is the adopters and the rescuers — these are the people who came to the event today.”

Day for the families with strays

The adopted dogs and their families enjoyed a variety of activities set up especially for them.

Free pet portraits were taken, they enjoyed the doggie play area, indulged in the yummy homemade treats in the Bark ‘n Bite doggie snack bar and took home a special goody bag that included a dog bed and premium items.

An Animal Connection Lounge had Pet Communicator Mae Ilagan helping relay what the dogs wanted to say to their adoptive families. For the fur parents, this was an opportunity to celebrate the bonds they share with their adopted companions and discover what their dogs have been trying to tell them all along.

Two lucky “stray-vivors” won in the grand raffle and went home with a special petcation package: an overnight hotel stay for two people and their dog at Novotel Suites Manila at Acqua.

The event also provided an opportunity for adoptive families to meet others who made the same choice — to give a homeless animal a home.

“Having all these dogs here offers us a powerful reminder of what adoption can accomplish,” said Nikki Abad, Baby Doge Philippines representative. “Every adoption creates a ripple effect. We hope this event creates a culture of more pet adoptions so that more lives can be saved.”

The “STRAY-vivor Family Day” was co-presented by BabyDoge, a community-driven cryptocurrency project that has donated over $1.5 million to animal welfare causes since 2021. BabyDoge is united by two core visions: save as many dogs as possible and bring crypto to everyone.

The celebration underscored the importance of responsible pet ownership and preventing animals from becoming homeless in the first place through proper care, not letting pet dogs roam the streets and to spay-neuter them.

Just homeless

The gathering also marked the launch of the PAWS “Homeless Not Worthless” campaign, a renewed call to change the way Filipinos see the millions of animals who live on the streets.

Actor and PAWS celebrity spokesperson Jodi Sta. Maria unveiled the campaign posters and told the story of her own rescue, Putol. “He was a dog that I kept seeing on our CCTV every time I would visit our house outside Manila. I would see him come inside the grounds, drink water from the pool and sleep on our lawn. One time, I gave him some food and played with him for the four days I was at the house. On the day that we were going back to Manila, medyo kinausap ko siya (I sort of talked to him) and told him I would see him again when I returned. Tapos, nung paalis na ako, nakita ko (Then, as I was leaving, I could see) from the rearview mirror na hinabol nya talaga yung car namin – parang eksena sa telenovela (that he was running after the car, just like a scene from a telenovela). My heart just couldn’t take it kaya (so) I stopped the car and took him home to live with us permanently.”

In need of a home

Jodi says she fully supports the “Homeless Not Worthless” campaign because it challenges the common perception that a dog found on the street is somehow less desirable or less worthy than a commercially bred or pedigree dog. “Alam nyo, nagiging strays sila because no one gave them a chance. But if you give them a chance, you will see that they have so much love to give just like any other dog,” explained Jodi.

“Nagkaka-problem lang pag nanganganak o nakaka-buntis ang ating mga pets (It only becomes a problem of they get pregnant or get other dogs pregnant) and we don’t have the capacity to care for the puppies. Eto ang dahilan kung bakit dumadami ang mga aso sa lansangan (This is why more dogs end up in the streets).

“So ang tanong (So the question) is: what can we do to help? Well, first of all, instead of turning a blind eye on these strays, we can be kind to them. Huwag natin silang sasaktan (let’s not hurt them). We should also spay-neuter our own pets to prevent homelessless before it begins. And finally, if you have the means, we encourage everyone adopt a stray animal and give them a home.”

PAWS emphasizes that adoption is only one part of the solution to animal homelessness.

“Rescuing will always be necessary while animals continue to be abandoned and allowed to reproduce without control,” Cabrera said. “But if we really want to end the cycle of stray animals, we have to prevent the next generation from being born into homelessness.”

The organization continues to advocate for responsible pet ownership, spaying and neutering, adoption, identification and lifelong commitment to companion animals, as well as humane management of community animals.

Urgent message

PAWS hopes that the “stray-vivors” whose stories were heard that day will inspire more Filipinos to look beyond an animal’s past and see the family member he or she can become. Every dog deserves the chance to go from street to shelter, shelter to home, and homeless to loved.