Pettr, the Philippines’ first all-in-one petcare superapp under 917Ventures, partnered with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) to promote responsible pet ownership and raise awareness about how pets help in emotional healing and mental health.
Pettr joined the recent Angel Pets Advocacy, Research and Learning (ARAL) session of DSWD’s Angel Pets Project which integrates animal-assisted therapy into support services for those who have experienced abuse, neglect, or are living with psychosocial disabilities.
Led by DSWD Social Technology Bureau, the event brought together pet lovers, social workers, and community members to discuss proper pet training, humane treatment, and lifelong commitment, along with the therapeutic value of animals in promoting overall 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.”
This collaboration among Pettr, DSWD, and PAWS is built on a shared goal to improve animal welfare and extend support to individuals through education, access, and purpose-driven partnerships.
Discover how Pettr empowers fur parents and supports a more caring pet community by following them on their socials @pettr.app on Instagram and Facebook.
