Unbreakable bonds: Filipinos and their beloved pets

MANILA (ANN/PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER) – As a devoted “parent” to three furry companions, Beatrice Pinlac attests that caring for her canine family members is no walk in the park. Yet, she cherishes the boundless love they offer, a love that seeks no reward or reciprocation.

Despite the challenges, Beatrice remains resolute in her commitment to these four-legged friends, finding solace in the unwavering affection they provide.

“Even on the days when I have little to give, they make me feel cherished,” she confides to the source.

Although pets have always been a part of Beatrice’s family life, the pandemic prompted a unique connection. This time around, with the added perspective of maturity and financial independence, she has embraced the role of a dedicated fur parent with even greater dedication.

In a recent report from the Social Weather Stations, it was revealed that pet ownership continues to be a prevalent and cherished aspect of Filipino households, with 64 per cent of homes across the Philippines proudly embracing animal companions.

Among these furry friends, dogs emerge as the undisputed favourites, capturing the hearts of 78 per cent of these households, closely followed by feline friends, as 50 per cent proudly share their homes with cats.

This enduring love for pets is not a newfound phenomenon. It gained significant momentum in 2021, marking a year after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During this time, research conducted by the iPrice Group unveiled a remarkable trend: Filipinos exhibited the highest interest in pet ownership across Southeast Asia.

The data was striking, as it revealed that Filipino enthusiasts conducted nearly seven million Google searches related to pets in September of that year, constituting a staggering 53 per cent of the region’s total searches on the subject.

This undying passion for animal companionship underscores the deep bond between the people of the Philippines and their beloved pets.

Dr. Karen Sacdalan, a psychologist, told the source that the lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 put people on a new kind of life, which was quite unpleasant because almost everything changed.

Because of this, she said “we create many coping ways to go about the acceptance [of] and adjustment to [the] change[s].” As she stressed, some people turned to pets to cope with the crisis.

This year, she said the Psychological Association of the Philippines is working on the event “TheraFur (therapy + fur)” playdate to gather more insights on how pets help humans in so many different ways.

Companion

Sacdalan, chairperson of the PAP’s Special Interest Group for Persons with Disabilities, pointed out that pets have “therapeutic value,” which became more evident when the lockdowns were imposed.

“There is really human-animal interaction and it has impacts on our psyche, the total package of our human experience, especially because it gives pleasure. It invites a sense of satisfaction when we have an animal companion,” she said.

She said “there are health benefits,” saying that there is scientific research that revealed an outcome of feeling like being in a “biological spa treatment.” She said “it enhances cardiovascular health, like lowering blood pressure and [stabilising] heart rate.”

Nikki Jane Isla, a “parent” to seven dogs, who was inspired by singer Sarah Geronimo’s love for pets, shared to the source that her pets “play a crucial role in keeping my anxiety at bay […] I treat them just like my children.”

This was shared, too, by Blanche Mapili, who said one of her dogs “came at a time when I needed an emotional buffer for being the primary caregiver of my dad [who was] then diagnosed with dementia, specifically Alzheimer’s.”

Since then, her pack has grown to 20 dogs and five cats. Sadly, however, she had to “rehome” some of them when the pandemic hit to make ends meet, stressing that “pet parenting is a responsibility. Keeping them sheltered, fed, vetted, protected, and loved.”

It was explained by Sacdalan that taking care of an animal “helps produce endorphins (hormones that help relieve pain, reduce stress and improve one’s sense of well-being) and dopamine (hormone released in the brain that makes one feel good).”

“While producing these happy hormones, the stress hormones, mostly cortisol, get reduced.”

Deep connection

As Dr Carmela Arreola, a mental health consultant, said in a video posted in 2022 by Ballet Philippines, there is the person-animal bond, which is a close, dynamic and mutually-beneficial relationship.

The bond, she explained, “means our pets do not only benefit from us, but we likewise benefit greatly from them in return.” She stressed that “from this relationship, the definition of true love is derived.”

Sacdalan said this love is already enough for “pet parents” to spend thousands of pesos on their pets.

Take as case the dog of Ayna Punzalan and her husband. Punzalan said “we are spending around PHP3,000 to PHP5,000 a month for Charlie […] we love pampering her, we treat her as our baby, that’s why we make sure that she gets everything she needs.”

“She’s family, so we don’t mind the expenses because she’s worth it,” she said.

Dindo Roxas and her girlfriend have the same sentiment, too, stressing that despite having to spend PHP1,200 to PHP1,500 a month on their cat, “especially as a student, our cat is our source of happiness and pushes us to persevere more in our studies to have him a good life.”

As stressed by Rich Tijam, a “parent” to a dog, “it is difficult to find love just like what a dog can give.”

“Before I felt a little alone, but when Klim Bap came, I felt like I had someone always,” she said, pointing out that pets are perfect companions. “They are very loyal. They get excited when you get home.”

Love for pets

Based on 2021 Rakuten Insight, Philippines has the highest rate of dog ownership in Asia at 67 per cent. Some 43 percent of households have cats, too, the second highest rate, next to Indonesia’s 47 per cent.

This, the United States Department of Agriculture-Foreign Agricultural Service said, is expected to drive the sales of pet food in the Philippines, with its latest estimates indicating that sales could grow by nine per cent to USD434 million this year.

As explained by Sacdalan, the love for pets has the dynamic of giving, stressing that “[pets] provide companionship because they provide emotional support to the owners” as well as “giving us a sense of child-like behaviour.”

“They help us to have a sense of play because play[ing] is an essential part of our being human […] Most people who did not have enough chances to play when they were younger are now catching up,” she said.

Sacdalan pointed out that in reality, “it is what we really need as an effect of the pandemic.”

Like what Punzalan said, “Charlie really gave us a new level of happiness,” explaining that their dog is really affectionate and easy to take care of. “We are always happy to attend to his needs and see him growing.”

Despite the expenses, too, Pinlac said “they’re still with us because no matter how costly it may be to have them around, the amount of happiness that their presence brings into our lives is worth so much more.”

She said while it is really hard to provide for most of their needs, she will always be willing to give them everything “because I come home to so much love and light from my three dogs.”

The good of ‘helping’

Looking back, Roxas’ cat was from a family friend “who asked us if we were willing to adopt him.” He said: “We agreed since there was no fee or payment attached. We also agreed to keep him since we wanted to try a different pet other than a dog.”

This happened to Punzalan, too, saying that last April, one of their friends was looking for a permanent home for her dog: “We immediately grabbed this opportunity since the timing was perfect. My husband had just started working at home.”

As explained by Sacdalan, there is a principle called “helping actually helps the helper.”

“While we may not solve problems right away […] the way we extend help to others, whether in a similar pain as we have, can also come back in the form of ‘feel good’ or ‘good vibes,’ Sacdalan stressed.

She made a reminder, though, that being “parents” to pets come with a great responsibility, pointing out that “while they help us in our needs, we should make sure that their safety and well-being are equally important, too.”

“Do no harm,” she said.

Isla said being a pet parent is incredibly fulfilling and at the same time challenging: “It brings a unique sense of purpose and joy to my life. Taking care of my dogs has taught me responsibility, empathy, and the importance of unconditional love.”

For Pinlac, while being a “pet parent” is fulfilling, it also means making sacrifices.