The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) collaborated with Pettr, the country’s first all-in-one petcare superapp under 917Ventures, to encourage responsible pet ownership and increase public awareness of the benefits of pets for mental health and emotional healing.
In DSWD’s Angel Pets Project, which incorporates animal-assisted therapy into support services for those who have been abused, neglected, or have psychosocial difficulties, Pettr participated in the most recent Angel Pets Advocacy, Research, and Learning (ARAL) session.
The program, which was organized by the DSWD Social Technology Bureau, brought together community members, social workers, and pet owners to talk about humane treatment, lifelong commitment, and correct pet training. It also covered the therapeutic significance of animals in fostering general wellness.
The session also addressed the importance of pet sterilization, or kapon, in preventing overpopulation and ensuring the long-term health of companion animals.
During the activity, Pettr emphasized the importance of making petcare more accessible to all. Pettr aims to empower fur parents through its all-in-one platform, which allows users to book grooming appointments, consult with veterinarians, purchase pet essentials, and access other services with ease.
“Every pet deserves proper care, and every pet parent deserves support. We see technology as a way to make responsible pet parenting more achievable for Filipinos. By partnering with DSWD and PAWS, we want to help ensure that pets are seen not just as companions but as valued members of the community,” said Martin Luchangco, General Manager of Pettr.
“Together with PAWS and Pettr, we’re encouraging a culture of kindness and peaceful coexistence between humans and animals,” said Jhann Paul Cornel of DSWD. “We continue to remind communities of a simple but powerful principle: ‘If you don’t like them, don’t hurt them.’”
Another highlight of the event was the invitation for community members to nominate their well-socialized pets for possible inclusion in the Dr. Dog Program, PAWS’ animal-assisted therapy initiative.
Founded by Jill Robinson of Animals Asia, Dr. Dog deploys trained “canine consultants” to hospitals, care homes, orphanages, and schools, offering emotional comfort and companionship to those who need it most.
Sharon Yap of PAWS added, “Through programs like Angel Pets and Dr. Dog, we hope to inspire empathy and compassion not only for animals, but also for the people whose lives they touch.”
The foundation of this partnership between Pettr, DSWD, and PAWS is a common objective to enhance animal care and provide assistance to people via access, education, and collaborations with a purpose.
Follow Pettr on Facebook and Instagram at @pettr.app to learn how they empower pet parents and foster a more compassionate pet community.
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