04/07/2025
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The Missing Satori Cats: A Reflection of PH’s Animal Welfare Crisis
By now, you may have seen the heartbreaking news: 13 beloved community cats from Satori Condominium in Pasig City have mysteriously gone missing. Lucy, Pia, Abner, Darcy, Albus, FC, Bella, Luna, Ginger, Pearl, Atlas, Hershey, and Carrot were more than just animals to the resident volunteers of Cats of Satori (COS)—they were family.
These cats were cared for with love and dedication. They were regularly fed, given shelter, brought to the vet, and spayed or neutered. In a world where animals are too often neglected, these cats had found safety, affection, and community with the residents of Satori—and they gave that love back, unconditionally.
But in an instant, all of that was taken away. The once-familiar sight of these lovable cats greeting residents in the lobby is now just a memory. Their absence echoes through the halls they used to warm with their quiet presence. Their sudden disappearance has not only left a void—it has raised alarm among residents and animal welfare advocates alike.
If these well-cared-for cats—spayed, sheltered, and deeply loved—can still fall victim to such cruelty, what hope is there for the countless stray animals struggling to survive on their own? If this can happen inside a private condominium—where building management knew that residents were looking after these cats—what chance do animals have in places where no one is watching, and no one cares? And if even compassionate communities are met with silence, indifference, or inaction, what does that say about who we are, and what we truly value as a society?
This incident lays bare the ongoing crisis in our country’s animal welfare. Despite the passage of laws and growing awareness, one thing remains painfully clear: There is still a deep need to educate Filipinos about compassion toward animals—and to understand that caring for them is not just a personal choice, but a civic duty.
Recently, reports of animal cruelty have flooded the news and social media. One of the most heart-wrenching cases involved Tiger, a lost dog who wandered into the public market in Subic, Zambales. Accused of stealing a piece of meat, he was stabbed to death by a market vendor. Another incident in Negros Occidental involved an aspin who was cruelly used as a dart target, pierced with five darts in his body. In Binan, Laguna, a subdivision guard beat to death an aspin who had merely wandered into the area. In La Union, a woman lost five of her pet dogs—allegedly poisoned by a neighbor who claimed the animals had been killing his chickens. And most recently, a disturbing video circulated online, showing a minor threatening to cook a kitten while holding a knife, then throwing the terrified animal into the air.
According to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), over 7,000 cases of animal cruelty were recorded between 2010 and 2017. Even more concerning, the Compassion and Responsibility for Animals (CARA) Welfare Philippines reported approximately 3,000 cases in 2020 alone. These alarming numbers highlight the urgent need to increase awareness, strengthen the enforcement of animal welfare laws, and promote empathy and kindness toward animals.
Local government units (LGUs) play a vital role in advancing animal welfare by conducting trainings and seminars that promote compassion and responsible care for stray animals. Unfortunately, animal welfare remains a low priority for most LGUs. To date, only one city in the country—Cebu City—has demonstrated exemplary initiatives in protecting and caring for animals.
Unlike many others, Cebu does not resort to immediate euthanasia or impoundment of stray animals. Instead, captured strays are spayed or neutered as part of the city’s humane and sustainable approach. This progressive stance was emphasized by Dr. Alice G. Utlang of the Cebu City Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF).
Waiting for other LGUs to follow suit is like waiting for rain in a desert. But that doesn’t mean we are powerless. Each of us can take action and speak for those who cannot. While social media has become a powerful tool for exposing animal cruelty and holding perpetrators accountable, we can—and must—do more.
PAWS urges concerned citizens to report incidents directly and file formal complaints before posting them online. Doing so ensures that legal action can be taken swiftly. Public exposure may alert the perpetrator and give them time to flee, undermining any chance of justice.
Change also begins with small acts: educating our families and peers about compassion for animals; feeding a stray; donating to animal welfare groups; reporting abuse; or simply showing kindness to an animal just trying to survive. These everyday choices, though quiet, speak volumes—and they matter.
Our animal welfare system is in crisis—and we cannot afford to wait. It’s up to us to build a more compassionate world for animals. We must step up and ensure that the disappearance of the 13 beloved Satori cats, the brutal killing of Tiger, and countless other acts of cruelty are never repeated.
Each of us has a role to play. Every case of animal abuse that goes unnoticed or unpunished is a reflection of our silence and our shared responsibility. Let us raise our voices, use our platforms, and take meaningful action to show that animals matter and that they have a rightful place in our society.
Cats of Satori
