The Annual PAWS Pet Blessing

Sarah Jane Lee and JJ, the Golden Retriever, are balikbayans from Montreal, Canada who were among the 2,000 pets and owners who attended the PAWS Mass and Pet Blessing. "We are so overwhelmed that there is an event such as this here and that we got to meet so many other animal lovers," Lee said.

The sunglasses-wearing canine, JJ, won the "Life of the Party" award chosen by Megaworld Lifestyle Mall during the mini-program before the Holy Mass.  Lee mentioned that they are going to apply JJ as therapy dog under PAWS' Doctor Dog program within the month.  

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Pet blessings were first organized by PAWS President Nita Hontiveros-Lichauco in 1995 to make people more aware of St. Francis of Assisi, the Catholic Church's patron saint for the animals and the environment. Lichauco wanted Pinoys to emulate and follow the example of the humble saint who included the animals in his preachings of kindness and compassion.  Now, the annual PAWS Pet Blessing which falls on the first Sunday of October has grown into a huge celebration by animal lovers and animal welfare advocates. 

"It's very timely that we are celebrating World Animal Day  (WAD) just as President Noynoy Aquino has very recently signed the Amendment of the Animal Welfare Act - now, Republic Act or RA10631, " said WAD Ambassador for the Philippines and PAWS Executive Director, Anna Cabrera. 

(The amended law increases penalties for animal offenders to up to P250,000 and provides a maximum prison term of three years.)

Adopter Michelle Lee with her adopted dog Apollo, PAWS volunteers Fred Las Marias and Rizza Calaguas with shelter dog Lee and shelter cat Meoweth

Cabrera presented three of PAWS' rescued animals and their amazing transformations at the program: Apollo - an aspin who was rescued from Marcos Highway, Lee an aspin with a neck injury and Meoweth, a puspin or native cat, whose jaw-repair has made it the only 'smiling cat' for adoption at the PAWS Animal Rehabilitation Center.  At the event, PAWS also formally announced the launching of its Sharon Cuneta adopt-a-shelter-dog campaign posters and billboard, sponsored by Eastwood City.

As half of the attendees participated in the praying of the rosary and procession of the statue of St. Francis of Assisi around Eastwood City, those who stayed around at Eastwood Open Park had fun participating in the animal trivia contest hosted by Patricia Bermudez-Hizon and listening to The Voice Philippines' finalist, Morissette Amon, who rendered a song number. 

A poodle named "Cassie" romped away with the "Best Dressed Pet" award with her elaborate pink gown. She received special prizes from PET ONE, Dogs in the City and Frontline.

At 5:30 in the afternoon, Father Jose "Joey" Antonio Paras, SDB started the celebration of the Holy Mass for the Animals and was assisted by Father Eugene Lucerna. In his sermon, Father Joey urged all attendees to "widen their circle of compassion to include animals" as they are also "part of God's creation". The priest is an animal lover and a long-time supporter of PAWS and has been doing the pet blessings for the organization for four years now. 

Also during the Mass, former congresswoman Bernadette Herrera-Dy, author of the amendment of the AWA in Congress, read the First Reading while PAWS volunteers and shelter animals participated as Mass offerors.

Hamsters, turtles, a hedgehog and a rabbit were among the other animals spotted at the pet blessing aside from the usual dogs and cats. It took an hour for all animals to be individually blessed after the Mass.

The 2013  PAWS Pet Blessing at Eastwood Open Park was made possible by Eastwood Mall and Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, in cooperation with PET ONE and the Philippine Star Pet Life Section.