HISTORY  >> for PAWS programs and projects pitstopit.com/paws3      

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society was founded in 1954 by British educator Muriel Jay, who was then residing in the Philippines. The members of this first wave were handpicked by its founder.

Nita Hontiveros, then one of the younger member, recalls that the group would make staffed toys and other items which the members would then sell to raise fund. Other activities include a clinic to provide services to injured animals and two bicycle patrols, which pick op strays from the street

When Muriel Jay went back no England, PAWS became less active and eventually slipped into dormancy. In 1986, Nita Hontiveros-Lichauco, the current PAWS President, reorganized PAWS with a handful of volunteers composing of veterinarians, educators and people from other professions. This became the original board of Directors.

The uncontrolled increase in human population, coupled with a steadily declining economy and, compounded further by ignorance, indifference and cruel traditional beliefs, continue to take its toll on the welfare of both farm and companion animals. Dog-eating and other atrocities involving animals were more rampant now. Humane education in public schools, being the main trust of the organization, was conducted with the assistance of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), through the Brain Davies scholarship Fund. This is a ten years program to help families that are kind to animals. All during its rebirth, PAWS was already lobbying actively for a Philippine Animal Welfare Act. However, the country - from its government officials down to the general public were apparently not ready for it.

The present batch of membership started joining in 1996. Many of these were from the youth sector (mostly in their 20s and 30s) and naturally, full of idealism. The young members, inspired by their President, were coming out with more aggressive plans. A cattery was put up at the back of the Lichauco's house in New Manila to serve as temporary shelter for abandoned and rescued cats. The dogs were sent to the Shangri-La Luna, a Lichauco farm in Pangasinan province, some 4 hours drive from Manila. A revised Animal Welfare Bill was drawn up and diligently followed up by PAWS members in the Senate and in Congress. On February 11, 1998, the Animal Welfare Act of 98 was signed into law by then Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos.

Contacts with various international animal-protection group increases. PAWS is in constant touch with organizations like the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PeTA) and Humane Society International (HSI). On September 1, 1999, PAWS became an associate of the Royal SPCA of UK. Similarly, on the local scene, PAWS was made a member of the National Disaster Coordinating Council under the Department of National Defense, and participated in the rescuing of abandoned and injured animals from a residential village (Cherry Hills) devastated by landslide. The following year, PAWS, with assistance from IFAW, conducted feeding programs for the farm animals that were affected by the Mayon volcano eruption. On May 2001, PAWS played host to the first Asia for Animals symposium, held in Manila. The event, the first of its kind in the Asian region, attracted more than 200 participants from 22 countries.

The construction of the Paws Animal Rehabilitation Center (PARC) was started in September 2000. When it goes into operation in January 2002, PARC will serve as a temporary refuge to countless unwanted dogs and cats roaming the streets of city. It will also help facilitate the re-homing of some of these animals, through an adoption program patterned after some western shelters. One of the urgent priorities of PARC is a sustained neutering program to curb animal over population. With the tangibility of PARC, PAWS aims to enhance the Filipino's awareness and interest in animal welfare

To read more about PAWS and its programs and cause visit their official website pitstopit.com/paws3      

To read more about PAWS and its programs and cause visit their official website pitstopit.com/paws3      

To read more about PAWS and its programs and cause visit their official website pitstopit.com/paws3      

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society, Inc.

87 Small Horseshoe Drive, New Manila Q.C Tel: (632)724-6395 Fax: (632)724-1986 email:paws_hq@compass.com.ph    website: http://pitstopit.com/paws3  

Philippine National Bank 

PHP Account No.: 072-830174-0