Baclaran Church has teamed up with the animal welfare group PAWSsion Project to tackle the increasing number of stray animals, particularly cats, within the church grounds. This partnership was initiated by Fr. Roel Gutierrez, a Redemptorist priest at the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, who expressed concerns raised by churchgoers and staff regarding the presence of stray cats.
“During the Mass, may mga pusa na nasa mga pews or may mga pusa na naglalakad sa altar, sometimes they poop sa may altar or they pee,” Fr. Roel explained, highlighting the need for a structured approach to manage the situation.
The church plans to involve its youth ministry in caring for the animals, recognizing the enthusiasm and awareness of young people regarding such advocacies. “In general, the youth now, especially with regards to advocacies like this, they are very much aware and enthusiastic pagka may mga ganitong activity,” Gutierrez noted.
The program will feature adoption drives, the creation of adoption spaces, and educational seminars aimed at promoting responsible pet ownership. Additionally, the catch-neuter-vaccinate-return (CNVR) component will be supported by PAWSsion Project, which has committed to helping the church identify and secure funding sources for the initiative.
Fr. Gutierrez encouraged Filipinos to approach animal care with thoughtfulness and compassion, advocating for adoption over purchasing pets. “In our little ways, pwede na tayong maging stewards of creation, hindi naman kailangang malalaking project ang gawin natin,” he said.
Currently, the program is in its preparatory phase, with formal agreements and public calls for support expected to follow. Both Baclaran Church and PAWSsion Project hope that their efforts will inspire other churches and institutions to engage in animal welfare initiatives.