THERE'S just one thing pets want for Christmas more than anything else, and that is to (always) have a proper, loving home. All pets deserve one and if animal lovers can have their way, it's exactly their wish for pets this season, especially for strays.

“I have a simple wish: for all pets to be healthy and have the basic necessities (food and shelter). And for those who are less fortunate, to at least be safe during the festivities,” said Charlene Dy from HappiDoggy Philippines which distributes quality dental chews for dogs.

Her wish is echoed by other animal lovers who want to see an end to pet abandonment and cruelty.

MetroPets asked personalities in the pet industry what Christmas wish they have on behalf of animals and here's what they said:

Meanwhile, MetroPets also reached out to a hero dog and its very own "model" cat to know what they want for Christmas. With the help of their "spokespersons" , here's what they said:

THE People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has named Pope Francis as its 2015 Person of the Year for good reasons.

First, he is the first pope to take the name of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of all animals, wrote Michelle Kretzer who works with the PETA Foundation. The current Pope is also the first religious leader to be picked as PETA’s Person of the Year. The group highly appreciates the way the pontiff asked the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics and all citizens of the world to reject human domination over God’s creation, treat animals with kindness, and respect the environment which is “something PETA views as a call to turn toward a simple, plant-based diet, given the now well-established role of animal agriculture in climate change,” said Kretzer.

In his 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si’, His Holiness talked of the importance of treating animals with kindness, writing, “Every act of cruelty towards any creature is ‘contrary to human dignity'” and “We are not God. … [W]e must forcefully reject the notion that our being created in God’s image and given dominion over the earth justifies absolute domination over other creatures.”

Pope Francis' environmental stewardship is also lauded by PETA as it could help sway people toward vegan eating and help more animal species' survival in the long run.