Mars, Incorporated, a global leader in pet care products and services, confectionery, snacking and food and the maker of some of the world’s most-loved brands, has partnered with animal welfare NGO, Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) and Shopwise for the first-ever Mars Global Adoption Weekend at the Shopwise Pet Fair in Ayala Malls Circuit Makati, Manila.
This is part of the biggest ever global initiative that spans from Mexico and US to Europe and Asia, covering a total of 12 countries around the world. It addresses the issue of pet homelessness by promoting pet adoption. In partnership with local pet shelters, Mars has digitalized adoption experience making it simple and responsible with focus on compatibility via an innovative adoption portal, WeR4HappyTails. Since its launch in the Philippines, this portal alone helped over 160 shelter pets find their forever homes and educated thousands of potential pet parents on responsible pet ownership.
The Global Adoption Weekend suggests commitment to compatibility as key in building beneficial companionship between a pet parent and a pet. Undoubtedly it is better if they are a good match emotionally and also in terms of personality, lifestyle, energy levels and living environments.
A highlight of the WeR4HappyTails portal is the Compatibility Quiz that matches adopters with their prospective pets that are available for adoption in real time in the nearest shelters. Commitment to compatibility helps reduce pet abandonment and increases the likelihood of long-lasting, healthy and happy relationships between pets and pet parents and ensuring that both parties thrive in their new environment.
Mr. John Racoma, General Manager for Mars Pet Nutrition Philippines emphasized the importance of the company’s commitment to living the purpose of “A Better World for Pets” by bringing in partners who share the same advocacy in promoting responsible pet ownership while addressing pet homelessness.
“With the availability of the online portal, we have unlocked accessibility for many more Filipinos to find a loving companion to bring to their homes and give local shelters such as Animal Kingdom Foundation a fighting chance to help more local breeds, Aspin and Puspin, get the life they deserve. We also commend partners like Shopwise who bring efforts on the ground and allow communities to see the impact of getting together or bayanihan in establishing a neighborhood that is full of responsible pet-owners and an animal-loving society,” shares Mr. Racoma.
Mr. Brian Poe-Llamanzares, National Chairman of FPJ Panday Bayanihan and Former Chief-of-Staff at the Office of Senator Grace Poe, who attended the event, commended Mars’ timely and meaningful initiative to advocate responsible pet ownership in relation to the motion of Sen. Poe’s office to revise the Animal Welfare Act.
“As an advocate of animal welfare, we seek a revised Animal Welfare Act to strengthen animal welfare standards, policies, rules and regulations, implementation and enforcement. Much is to be done, but I thank our partners such as Mars Petcare who continue to fight for the rights and welfare of the most underrepresented sector— the animals and our pets”.
Atty. Heidi Marquez-Caguioa, President of Animal Kingdom Foundation, shared her gratitude about the partnership: “Animal Kingdom Foundation has always been committed to finding loving homes for our rescues, but even more so for our very own breeds. This year has opened a lot of doors for Filipinos to take pride in our own Aspin and Puspin, and our team is grateful for consistent advocates such as Mars who walk with us in sending this message.”
“One of the findings of the recent Mars Pet Parent Study in the Philippines showed that only 4% of Filipino pet parents got their pets through shelter adoption, though it may be one of the most beneficial sources for getting a pet. Their personality and health status would be clearer, as they would already be spayed/neutered and vaccinated, which is a clear plus for a pet parent. We should join efforts for raising awareness around pet adoption as well as responsible pet ownership.” concluded Mr. John Racoma.
As part of the Global Adoption Weekend, Mars is inviting pet parents to play their part in supporting shelter pets by participating in a social media campaign to share their compatibility stories about their adoption experience. For each social media post within this weekend with the hashtags #MarsPetAdoption #MarsPetAdotionSEA and #CommitToCompatibilitySEA, Mars will donate petfood to Filipino shelters. The post with the most likes will also win 1 month’s free supply of pet food, and two lucky runners-up will receive a special box of Pedigree goodies.
