​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

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.

By A. JULI PEDRO

EVERY breakfast and dinner, a black and white cat patiently waits for his meal outside the gate of my house. It's been that way probably for the last three years when it decided I should run a special soup kitchen for him.

I've grown fond of this cat despite the fact that we started off on the wrong foot or paw. I used to frequently chase him away as he would trespass to hassle my cats. But I've always found this stray cat handsome with his big round head, green eyes and sweet face. He was always full of battle scars and skin lesions so I called him “Gnarly”.

Being an incorrigible cat lover, I felt bad for this homeless cat, so one night I found myself throwing him a piece of salmon. Watching him smacking his lips in pleasure felt good; I knew it was his first time to eat salmon. I also knew it as an occasion that forever changed him from being a completely feral cat to one that finds human companionship not too objectionable.
​
We became like mutually beneficial friends – he got food if he left my cats alone. But he did knock up one of my cats. I needed no further proof of his paternity when my last kittens all came out black and white. Interestingly enough, he also made an unscheduled vigil outside the gate the night my cat went into labor.

I am amazed that Gnarly follows a circadian rhythm to avail of his benefits. He simply knows the time to park himself outside and wait for food. And wait long he does if I wake up or stay out late. Sometimes he gives up and leaves, and sometimes I worry when he skips a meal or doesn't show up for days.

Unless it's a stormy day, Gnarly doesn't mind waiting in the rain. When it's hot, he uses the plants for shade. He likes meat and doesn't really care for kibbles.

Gnarly now trusts me enough to let me carry him to the spot where I prefer him to eat. For a cat who spends his days under parked cars, he sure is smart to pick up which one is mine. Sometimes, I would pass by him on some street and he would immediately follow my car home.

Since we became friends, Gnarly has kept his end of the deal and never bothered or hurt my cats. He also knows a bit about reciprocity. One time at dawn, I saw him carrying a huge rat in his mouth. I didn't know it was for me until I saw it later outside my gate.

Here is a cat who is not afraid of dogs, people, cars and bad weather. Winning his trust was quite a feat and I'm glad to help him keep up his stamina with daily rations. Like everyone else, Gnarly is getting old and wrinkly. I know one day he will stop coming and I would miss him. But for now, he is very welcome—for breakfast and dinner.