By MATTHEW ERSKINE
(As posted from The Cat Network, Inc. Facebook page)

​LEGALLY, pets are considered property—like cars, houses or jewelry—which are inherited by your heirs, who may or may not be the people you wish to care for your pets after your death. If you own a pet, there are some steps you should take immediately and some longer term planning you should consider.

There are two steps you should take immediately, line someone up to take charge if something happens to you and write down your emergency information.
 
* LINE UP SOMEONE TO TAKE CHARGE. Line up two friends or relatives who agree to serve as emergency and/or long-term caretakers. Provide them with your pet's veterinarian’s name, discuss your wishes of what should happen to your pet and provide contacts for each other. Discuss up front how expenses will be covered.

Stay in touch with your potential caretakers because circumstances can change over time. People move and have children, or situations may arise that impact their physical and financial ability to help manage your affairs. Name alternates.

* CARRY EMERGENCY INFORMATION. Always bring a wallet card with you with your emergency contact information related to your animals.

TRUST FOR PETS
Planning for pets is not only legal questions, but also financial and whether you wish to involve the humane society or have strictly private agreements and trusts.

Funds will likely be needed to cover temporary or permanent costs for your pets, including board bills and health care. Verbal promises are ambiguous in most cases, so having a Trust or power of attorney in place to clarify available resources can help. Here are four options:

* A Living Trust. This is a popular choice because it can be accessed immediately and is private (without probate court delays). It can be used if you become ill or incapacitated. You set aside money for care, and a named trustee has control. A trust is more flexible than a will, which takes effect only at death and can be a slow process. 

* A Pet Trust. It may be included in a living trust, or as a stand-alone trust. The named trustee is given funds and guidelines/mandates as to how to administer funds for your pet and how to distribute any remaining funds when your pet dies. A pet trust is now valid in all states.

* Power of Attorney. This is used in the event of physical or mental incapacity, with provisions outlined for expenses, but terminates when the owner dies, unlike a trust or will. Powers of attorney are chosen when a person is alive and competent and should be part of any comprehensive estate plan. Otherwise, a disability event can result in the need for a guardian to be appointed; taking time with no guarantee your pets will be covered. Name alternates in case the initial agent is unable or unwilling to serve.

A Power of Attorney can be as broad or as narrow as you desire, so you could grant a power of attorney that has power only over specific funds for the maintenance and support of specific animals, without giving them a broad power over other assets. 

Also, you can appoint more than one person to hold the power, but since the power does not go into effect until you actually give the physical paper to the person, and can be revoked at any time, you can appoint one person and remove them and replace them with another, if you should so choose. 

* Life Insurance. This is useful if you do not have sufficient assets to support your pet’s care. When you die, life insurance can be used to fund your pet trust.

LAST WILLS
Pet owners have the option of putting a provision in their will for the care of their pets. Such provisions designate a caretaker and commonly set aside an amount of money with a request for the money to be used by the caretaker in the care of the pets. Pet owners can provide alternative caretakers if the original is unable or unwilling to accept the animals and can designate temporary guardians for pets while estate issues are being settled. 

Note: Caution on choice of Personal Representative

Unlike a trust arrangement for the care of a pet, there is no continuing obligation for the executor under a will to see to the well being of the pet once the administration of an estate is complete. The integrity and moral commitment of the caregiver will be your only assurance that the pet’s care will continue. Therefore, choose your primary caregiver and alternate caregiver, wisely. 

HUMANE SOCIETY
Consider making arrangements with a humane society, animal rescue group or animal “rest home” to take possession and care of your pet. You should review the type of care offered by each organization, its facility and staff, as well as the costs associated with that care. 

To care for your pet, you should take action immediately just in case, to have someone to care for them if you are not able to. Additionally, you should consider the alternative ways you provide for your pets, and fund that care, after your death.

​OFTENTIMES, we come across an animal in dire need, either in real life or in social media, but we are just as helpless to assist.

But there are still ways to help – creatively. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) suggests three ways to help animals from the comforts of our homes. Writing letters to authorities, giving away leaflets and signing petitions to raise awareness and ask for help on behalf of animals could bring about positive results.

Writing letters is an extremely important part in creating changes to help animals. Animal welfare advocates should contact legislators or agency heads because public pressure is often the main impetus for change—and the laws must be significantly strengthened.

To write effective letters, choose a case or issue you are passionate about and write a letter to the legislators or ambassador of required country (https://embassy.goabroad.com) and ask that he or she do everything possible to intervene on behalf creating and strengthening animal welfare legislation. PETA offers some tips on letter writing and welcomes volunteers to join their PETA Asia's Writers Group.

Another great way to help is leafleting. Handing out leaflets to the public is a great way to educate people. Leave a trail of leaflets wherever you go—in the reading rack in your doctor's waiting room, at the laundromat, on the bus, in dressing rooms—anywhere that allows you to leave literature for the public. Most people don't know how easy it is to change habits that hurt animals. As people become more aware of cruelty to animals, they become more serious about putting an end to it―and you can help them put their compassion into action. 
 
Signing petitions is also an easy and effective way to help animals. Please see the PETA Asia action centre https://www.petaasia.com/action/ where you can easily help PETA by signing petitions. The petitions can be customized or rewritten for better impact. 

So, try being an animal or pet activist at home with these three tasks. Be the voice of the voiceless. -- MetroPets

MURAL artists showcased their love for their art and animals as participants to this year's special mural painting competition by the Art in Island Museum.

Rain or shine, muralists painted their entries that highlight animal rights and welfare. The competition was from Sept. 4 to 9, 2018. The public are asked to vote for their favorite murals. Winners get not only the title (read: bragging rights) but also cash awards.

Here are some of the artists and their murals.

Bushi and Muning are the two orange tabbies painted by Edmund C. Andrade. He said his cats are a year old now. He included an ice cream cone in his mural so that those who want to have a photo with it can pretend to be holding the ice cream cone for his cat to lick. After all, Art in Island is an interactive museum, he added. 

Peace For Animals is the title of John Harold Pena's mural. He told MetroPets he wants people to realize that animals are about peace and deserve peace. 

Love for Joy is the title of Jaynard Alpuerto's mural which features several dogs and cats that together highlight certain animal rights advocacies to promote their welfare. He painted stray cats, senior dogs, handicapped dog, Aspins (asong Pinoy) and service dogs to call attention to pet overpopulation, dog meat trade, dog fighting and other problems that greatly harm animals. 

Below are other noteworthy pet-themed murals in full display for the public to enjoy outside the Art in Island Museum. 

HERE are two dogs: an Alaskan Malamute (top photo) and a Siberian Husky (bottom photo). Both breeds have Siberian lineage and are therefore naturally suited to live in extremely cold environments of the Siberian Arctic.

The Alaskan Malamute here is shown walking on water in Alaska after a heavy rainfall covered the frozen lake. A beautiful dog living in its rightful place is something to behold. Picture was posted in Animal Moments.

The Siberian Husky is called Harvey and he lives chained in a squalid place inside a public cemetery in Pasay City, Manila. The photo was from a video taken by Pasay Pups who tries to improve the lives of animals in this area. Harvey's small house was from Pasay Pups.

The extreme summer heat in Manila is very ill-suited for a Siberian Husky, much more for Harvey who is chained outside and with only a small shelter to call home. One might wonder how someone in impoverished conditions get to own a Siberian Husky in the first place (who also owns a toy dog caged inside a retired tricycle). 

Pasay Pups wrote: “Chained and caged dogs can only watch as life goes by. While we go to work and school; watch concerts and movies; and enjoy dinners out, vacations, and shopping; every day looks largely the same for dogs who are kept constantly confined. They are often denied adequate food and water, and of course companionship and freedom.

“Please don't keep your dog chained. If you see a chained dog in your neighborhood, do what you can to make their lives better. Give them tasty treats and fun toys, make sure they have access to water, and if they are friendly and the owner allows, take them for walks and off-leash playtime.”

Two separate studies done in 2013 and 2015 showed that the Alaskan Malamute shares a close genetic relationship with the Siberian Husky. Thickly furred double coat with erect triangular ears and distinctive markings, these canine cousins need to be in a cold environment. If you must keep one as pet, please make sure they don't end up like poor Harvey, a snow-loving breed who is wilting in Manila's hot weather. A true dog lover doesn't put vanity before his own dog's welfare. Sadly, it is not the case with Harvey and his owner.  -- MetroPets

#betterlifeforharvey #PasayPups #FriendsDontChainFriends #metropetsdogs #siberianhusky #alaskanmalamute

JASON BAKER

HAPPY YEAR OF THE DOG! Below are photos of Buster (he's up for adoption, by the way!) and he will tell you why adopting a dog is always better than buying one. 

1. When you buy a dog from a pet store, you're supporting cruel puppy mills. ​Buster can't believe you would ever do that. Not you. 

​2. You can't buy love—but you can adopt it from a shelter or rescue group (and for a lot less money than buying a dog from a breeder or a pet store).

3. Most "preowned" dogs or those who are rescued from the streets are already housetrained.

​4. What's up, doc, er, dog? Shelters and rescue groups only adopt out healthy animals, and vaccinations and spaying or neutering (kapon/ligation) are usually included.

​5. At an animal shelter, you can find a dog to fit your unique personality (even if you're a little nutty).

6. You will be rewarded with looks like this and other expressions of gratitude for as long as you both shall live.

​7. Thousands of dogs and cats enter animal shelters and pounds every year in the Philippines. And he's one of them.

8. Ahhhh, it feels great to know that you saved a life.

What Are You Waiting For?
If you've been thinking about adding an animal to your family—and you have enough time and money to care for a dog (or a cat)—please adopt one from a local animal shelter or rescue group. In the Year of the Dog, please pledge never to buy animals from pet stores or breeders.

Buster was rescued from the streets of Makati. He was found emaciated, sick, and confused, but he's now healthy, happy, and ready for a new home. He's been vaccinated and neutered and loves walks, other dogs, and playing fetch. 

Jason Baker is vice president of international campaigns for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia. To get involved with PETA's work in the Philippines or if you're interested in adopting Buster or another animal, visit PETAAsiaPacific.com or e-mail us at Info@PETAAsiaPacific.com.

​THE global exotic pet trade valued from $31 billion to $43 billion annually is seen as a threat to both animals and humans.

This is the view of Neil D’Cruze, Technical Expert for Animals in the Wild at World Animal Protection, who wrote an article about how the exotic pet trade is cruel to animals and a health risk to humans. He also presented factors that influence demand for exotic pets and what would likely discourage purchase.

Exotic pets such as snakes, parrots and tropical fish are subjected to severe suffering during capture, transport, sale and continued captivity. Over exploitation of these animals leads to severe decline in their populations, making the exotic pet trade a conservation issue, too, wrote D'Cruze.

To know what drives people from purchasing exotic pets, researchers at the University of Oxford’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) built a website to test if raising public awareness could influence people’s attitudes towards buying an exotic pet. 

The study revealed that most patrons of exotic pets seemed less concerned about information related to animal welfare and conservation consequences, so these will not deter their consumption choices.

In contrast, the study showed that buying exotic pets become far less appealing when people realize the risks to their own health and the legal consequences they could face. For example, unusual pets from the wild could transmit diseases like E. Coli and bird flu, D'Cruze pointed out in his article. 

In summary, the research results suggest that “potential exotic pet owners may be motivated to avoid outcomes that might directly harm them, but not their pets”. This selfish reason, however, presents an opportunity to reduce demand for exotic pets by drumming up awareness on how it can directly harm consumers.

#exoticpets #metropets #wildpets #unusualpets #exoticpettrade

​SUPERSTAR singer Mariah Carey is due to receive the Angel for Animals Award from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) for helping promote animal adoption and shed light on the responsibility of caring for them in the animated adaptation of her hit song "All I Want for Christmas Is You".

“Mariah Carey is PETA’s hero for homeless animals for encouraging families to adopt from their local shelter,” says PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange. “Her holiday film reminds us all that caring for an animal is a responsibility, not just a fantasy — but the one sweet day when you meet the dog who will always be your baby and you know that you belong together.”

This year, Carey produced, narrated and provided the music for the animated film version of “All I Want for Christmas Is You”. It tells the story of a young girl and a homeless mutt who fulfills her Christmas wish. Animated “Mariah” and her puppy Jack (named for one of Carey’s beloved pets) struggle at first, but she eventually learns to treat her adopted fur baby with patience and understanding.

“Mariah Carey is PETA's angel for homeless animals for promoting animal adoption this holiday season,” says PETA Senior Cruelty Case Officer Jana Sevilla. "Every time someone buys a cat or a dog from a breeder or a pet shop, animals on the streets or in shelters lose their chance at finding a good home. We thank Mariah for encouraging people to open their hearts and homes to loving animals who are anxiously waiting at shelters for a new life.”

​THERE is a Pit Bull named Amigo who loves his ball even though it's already been destroyed long time ago.

It is a yellow tennis ball that has seen better days. 

Amigo doesn't mind that his old ball is now cracked, frayed and, to be honest, quite disgusting. Throw it and he would run after it, retrieve it with his mouth and deliver it back to you. Be ready to pick up the repulsively dirty ball and throw it in the air a couple of times until Amigo gets tired of playing with it, which is unlikely.

​Crusted with dirt and broken beyond repair, the old ball gives Amigo a sense of purpose. 

Amigo is one of the Laguna Pit Bulls rescued from a dog fighting syndicate about five years ago. He is now fully rehabilitated and waiting for his forever home. While doing that, he and other Laguna Pit Bulls take turns playing with this one ball at the shelter's designated dog-run area.

Poor Amigo his tennis ball is long overdue for replacement!  

Would you be kind enough to get Amigo and his friends a new ball or two, preferably made from indestructible material? It would mean the world to Amigo who's been a sweet boy, so “bigyan ng bola”!! ("Give him a ball"!!)

Kindly donate treats, dog food and a new ball for Amigo and his 79 other friends through CARA Welfare Philippines. We would also be happy to assist, just send us a note in MetroPets Facebook page.

By ALMA J. BUELVA

“It takes nothing away from humans to be kind to animals.” 

With these words, the Island Rescue Organization (IRO) gathered themselves to rescue homeless, abandoned and abused cats and dogs in Cebu for six years now. 

The core group that formed IRO was originally looking for an animal shelter where they could volunteer. But none existed at that time so they decided to make their own. 

Like any animal welfare group, IRO's struggle is real to extend help to needy animals. Their rescue center in Talamban, Cebu City can take in more or less 100 dogs and 30 cats. In there, they house 20 pitbulls that were rescued from a dog fighting syndicate in Cavite in 2012. At any given day, overcrowding at the shelter is a concern because there are simply many animals that need their help.

​IRO strives hard to protect above all Philippines' native dogs, better known now as “Aspin”. It used to have a derogatory name “askal” short for asong kalye (street dog). A victim of many people's strong bias for purebreds, the Aspin more often than not always get the short end of the stick.  

“An aspin would be the face of IRO. It’s a local breed that we have been strongly promoting because people usually neglect it. Sometimes people abuse or torture them because these dogs are of no value to them. It’s a sad reality that we see a lot of these dogs abandoned on the streets and very malnourished,” Mendez said. 

While IRO doesn't see a decline in the overpopulation of stray cats and dogs and, Mendez said it's noticeable that more people today are vigilant when it comes to animal welfare. 

***TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE ISLAND RESCUE ORGANIZATION, GET YOUR COPY OF THE LATEST PRINT EDITION OF METROPETS MAGAZINE.

By ALMA J. BUELVA

​Ghen Gabriel is a cat lover from Valenzuela in Metro Manila who one day stumbled upon an abandoned grey kitten in a dumpster. She decided to rescue and bring it home even though it acted quite like the kitten from hell!

Instantly Ghen called the kitten Sungit (grouchy) as it violently hissed and growled at her and repeatedly tried to attack her. Sungit was a small ball of fury—wild and ferocious like a tiger.

But Ghen was not one to give up easily. She believed little Sungit was just scared and probably traumatized so she patiently worked to win his trust and to calm him down. A series of videos she took of them documented her struggles with Sungit who obviously didn't trust humans—or anything else that moved.

On the first day, the only way Ghen could hold Sungit was by wrapping him in a towel. Sungit protested and cried vigorously even after Ghen placed him inside a cat carrier.

Ghen tried to feed Sungit, hoping food would make the little tiger less aggressive. To avoid Sungit's dangerous claws, Ghen used a chopstick to pick up and bring bits of cat food to Sungit. Unfortunately, it only seemed to aggravate Sungit's hysterical fit so that he gave Ghen's chopsticks a good karate chop that sent food flying away.

The next day, a slightly calmer Sungit could be seen cautiously drinking water from a spoon held by Ghen. To be safe, Ghen still had Sungit wrapped in a towel. As he drank, Sungit was throwing Ghen a cautionary look in case she tried something funny.

By the third day, a marked improvement in Sungit's disposition was visible. After receiving lots of love, patience and care from Ghen, Sungit's level of grouchiness was down. Ghen, who ditched using a towel for a pair of gloves, was not only able to carry Sungit close to her, she also managed to plant a kiss on his head!

​Here's a video of their hate-love relationship:

Sungit continued to react passively when she snuggled beside Ghen's pillows, occasionally moving his tail and peeking his head out. He was no longer angry at Ghen. At that moment, Ghen knew Sungit was making an important turn for the better.

Here are some of Sungit's latest photos:

​These days, Sungit has become friends with Ghen's five other cats. Ghen said the grouchy kitten she found in the dumpster is now a very affectionate and playful kitten who is also quite the big eater.

“I knew Sungit would be a good cat given the chance,” said Ghen.

So, next time anyone of us wants to tame an angry cat, remember Sungit, the real grumpy cat made moderate by love.