Helping stray cats stay comfy

For The Bistro Group, hospitality goes beyond serving great food. Through BistroCares, the company continues to care for community animals by providing food, water, shelter and veterinary support to stray cats and dogs around its restaurants.

Many of the company’s restaurants have welcomed community cats as unofficial members of the team: Giving them names, cozy beds, food bowls, toys and, of course, plenty of affection.

One of these furry communities can be found at TGI Fridays Mall of Asia, where one particular cat Oreo, a stray cat who has been around the restaurant for the past two years, has become part of the TGI Fridays family. She recently gave birth to four kittens named Truffle, Nachos, Popcorn and Brulee. She also took in two more stray kittens, Tango and Freddie, making her an unofficial foster mom to a growing six-kitten crew.

Regular guest and veterinarian Gibran Karl M. Alonzo, DVM, “Doc GK,” recently spotted Oreo and her kittens playing outside the restaurant. Seeing an opportunity to help, he offered to deworm and vaccinate the cats against rabies. The Bistro Group coordinated with him and organized a vaccination activity.

The cats were generally observed to be in good condition, reflecting the care they receive from the restaurant team. Doc GK also commended the initiative:

“I would also like to commend The Bistro Group for initiating and supporting this vaccination activity. Programs like this help make essential veterinary care more accessible while promoting responsible pet ownership.”

President of The Bistro Group Jean Paul Manuud shared the company’s belief that its commitment to care should go beyond the dining table, extending to the communities and the animals that have become part of the neighborhoods where its restaurants operate.

“We may not be able to save them all, but we can help the ones we encounter. And sometimes, the smallest act of kindness can mean the entire world to a creature who has never known what it feels like to be cared for.”

For The Bistro Group, Oreo, Truffle, Nachos, Popcorn, Brulee, Tango and Freddie are more than just stray cats outside a restaurant. They have become part of the TGI Fridays Mall of Asia community.