11/07/2025
Absolutely agree with this ๐ We've made so much progress as a pet community โ and it's heartbreaking to see that being put at risk because of carelessness. I love my dogs like family, but I also know there are boundaries. Respecting shared spaces isnโt just about hygiene โ itโs about protecting the access and trust weโve worked so hard to build. If we really love our pets, we show it by being responsible, not entitled.
We Couldโve Had Nice Things โ Then the Irresponsible Pet Owners Showed Up
The Philippines is finally warming up to the idea of being a pet-friendly country. More malls, cafรฉs, and hotels now welcome our furry companions. Some public transport options (like the MRT 3) allow pets in carriers, and even a few local airlines have made space for them on board. Pet parks are popping up in cities, pet daycares are becoming more common, and yes, we even have pet hotels and resorts. These changes show how far weโve come in recognizing that pets are more than animals, theyโre family. And for many Filipinos, especially those whoโve chosen not to have children, the pets are their children.
Weโve made real progress in shaping a society that sees pets as family. But that progress is now at risk. Social media is rife with posts exposing irresponsible pet ownership, from fur babies being changed on diaper tables to pets being fed with restaurant utensils. These arenโt harmless one-offs. They cross boundaries of hygiene and respect and they feed into the perception that pet owners canโt be trusted in shared spaces. All it takes is one viral moment to set the entire community back.
I consider myself a fur mom. Iโm obsessed with my two dogs and in my delulu moments, I even tell people I gave birth to them. I would do anything for them. But I also know my boundaries. My pets are my children, yes. But I understand that shared spaces come with shared responsibilities. I understand that not everyone will see them the way I do, and thatโs okay.
Whatโs not okay is assuming that our love for our pets gives us a free pass to ignore basic courtesy. Youโre absolutely free to love and spoil your pets but that doesnโt entitle you to do whatever you want in public spaces. In shared spaces, respect comes first.
This isnโt about pets being denied their โrights.โ Itโs about people denying others theirs. Because when pet owners act without regard for anyone else, itโs not just animals who lose access โ itโs everyone.
The backlash against irresponsible pet owners is now bleeding into spaces that were never meant to be controversial. Take Ayala Mallsโ recent โPet Cinemaโ, a one-day event where fur parents could watch a movie with their pets. It was a niche offering, clearly targeted at pet lovers. If itโs not your thing, donโt buy a ticket, simple. But the backlash wasnโt about the event itself. It was a symptom of growing hostility, made worse by those who refuse to follow basic rules of pet etiquette.
Because of a few careless owners, even responsible fur parents are being dragged into the criticism. And if weโre not careful, the next thing we know, pets will be banned from malls and public spaces altogether and weโll be back at square one.
If we truly love our pets, then we must do better. Being a responsible pet owner isnโt about denying them affection, itโs about knowing when love means setting boundaries. Yes, we can spoil them. Yes, we can treat them like family. But we must never forget that shared spaces come with shared rules. And our pets are not entitled to human privileges. Thatโs not cruelty, thatโs reality.
The real measure of love is how we protect our pets and the world they live in. That means creating spaces where both animals and people feel safe, welcome, and respected.
Because if we keep blurring the lines, if we act like the rules donโt apply to us, weโre not just putting our pets at risk. Weโre destroying the very spaces we fought so hard to earn for them.
