“PAWS started Scaredy Cats and Dogs (SCAD) to raise funds for its animal shelter at a time when hardly any donations were coming in and when major pet food brands were only willing to sponsor shows and events participated in by their target market: Purebred pet owners,” said Anna Cabrera, Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) executive director. “From just 15 contestants, the event has now grown into the biggest and most anticipated Halloween pet costume event in the country.”
In the 20 years of “scaring” humans in their cute ways, pet costumes have been interesting, normally following the most up-to-date happening of the year. And the participants with the furry partners have all joined in the fun.
Today, it is the only pet costume competition attracting hundreds of pet parent participants to undergo the scrutiny of animal-loving celebrities invited by PAWS.
Thus, it was not surprising that most costumes evolved into statements about the animal welfare advocacy. This year’s Furshionista Hall of Famer, Eton Concepcion, for instance, has had a winning streak for several years already for his entries, which are not only beautifully crafted costumes but lways held up banners showing the BEFORE photos of the rescued dog that he is walking with onstage.
This year’s grand winner for the Best Pet in costume is a chihuahua named “Gulay,” who wore a detailed helmet while on board a miniature handmade replica of the spacecraft in “The Mandalorian.” (Gulay was, of course, the “Man-DOG-lorian”). Pet parent Bujeng Jose said that it took six months before the costume and props could be perfected.
The other grand winner for Ghoulish Partners (Best Pet and Pet Owner tandem) are Golden Angels — Albert Villamar and his dog Bashang.
Meantime, the dark, majestic and imposing ox head worn by John Patrick Cruz as “Aswang” and Maruja the dog as “Tiktik” romped away with the Bark of Approval, the audience choice award.
SCAD is also a reunion of sorts for participants who gather annually to vie for the Midnight Society Award or the best group in costume. For the fifth straight year, the unbeatable group of mostly Golden Retrievers fur-parents led by Jennie Cerrada has won the award. The adorable goldens came as the Care Bears, complete with rainbow and stuffed toy props. The Award’s feline counterpart was won by a group of cat owners and their cats dressed as witches dancing around a bubbling cauldron.
Casper’s Choice or the cutest pet in costume was Ellay as The Golden Bibe, while her owners Kathreen Artamia also dressed up as “Super Inday.”
SCAD was a delightful feast for the senses for Halloween enthusiasts and pet-lovers, from the Jollibee dancing duo to a Pokemon dog dressed as a gold fish, a Krypto (Superdog) lookalike and his fur-dad dressed as Superman zooming across the stage, and a pair of black bunnies dressed as gorgons from Stranger Things. It is no wonder that the 20th year of this PAWS fundraiser has unleashed competitiveness and creativity among the doting pet parents.
Cabrera presented the work of the organization, their three rescued dogs onstage and thanked all participants for their contribution, as well as all sponsors and celebrity judges: Joey Mead, John Arcilla and Joker of 1st One.
There was nothing scary about SCAD – only good, clean fun.