Pilmico’s Pet Food Brands Ignite Bayanihan Spirit: Supporting Animal Shelters Across the Philippines
How Pilmico’s pet food brands sparked a wave of generosity access animal shelters
Animal welfare has become a growing concern in the Philippines, especially with recent incidents of cruelty, maltreatment, and neglect towards animals. Despite the efforts of private entities and individuals to contribute to animal shelters, the growing number of stray cats and dogs poses challenges in reaching all shelters in the country.
Since 2023, Pilmico has regularly donated cat and dog food to their partner shelters as part of their “Project Hero” initiative. This program partners with animal shelter organizations to encourage pet adoption nationwide.
From December 2023, Pilmico’s pet food brands have donated over 4,200 bags which have reached various regions nationwide, including Tarlac, Metro Manila, Cebu, Iligan, and other areas.
With the help of Pilmico’s partner shelters, its pet food donations have reached more locations and fed thousands of stray animals.
Biyaya Animal Care, led by Rina Ortiz, coordinated with the Philippine Navy Western Command and sent 250 bags of Maxime dog food to Puerto Princesa, Palawan, and the surrounding islands.
Noah’s Ark Dog and Cat Shelter also provided Pilmico’s pet food to individuals and other organizations caring for stray animals around Antipolo.
Iligan Stray Feeders distributed pet food to more shelters around Cagayan De Oro, while their volunteers also fed stray animals on the streets in their local communities.
These are just a few of Pilmico’s partner organizations that extended their help to other animal shelters and engaged in community feeding.
Norie Bermudez, Agribusiness Country Director – PH of Pilmico and Gold Coin, shared her immense gratitude to their partner shelters. “It was heartwarming to hear from our partner shelters that Pilmico, through Maxime and our pet food brands, became an instrument in sharing resources with more shelters, organizations, and individuals.
We understand these shelters’ challenges, particularly in feeding the animals in their care. That’s why we established our ‘Project Hero’ initiative,” she said.
Maxime and its partner animal shelters continue to embody the Bayanihan spirit by working together to address animal welfare concerns. On March 20, 2024, the Senate of the Philippines called for the passage of Senate Bill 2458, which seeks to amend the Animal Welfare Act to improve education and address animal welfare issues.
“We are happy to work together towards a common goal — to improve and promote animal welfare nationwide. We at Pilmico are proud to be part of this movement and will continue to support animal shelters through our initiatives,” Bermudez added.
This initiative underscores Pilmico’s unwavering commitment to animal welfare.
Through Woofy’s “Project Hero,” a program in partnership with animal shelter organizations to encourage pet adoption nationwide, Pilmico continues its dedicated support. Alongside its pet food brands Maxime, Woofy, and Tommy, Pilmico remains steadfast in providing nutritious dog food to shelters, reaffirming its pledge to improve the lives of animals nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pilmico’s long-term commitment to animal shelters and responsible pet ownership in the Philippines?
Pilmico has committed to sustaining its partnership with animal shelters through continued pet food donations via Maxime, Woofy, and Tommy. Beyond supplies, the company advocates for adoption from reputable shelters, promotes responsible pet ownership through brand campaigns, and states its intent to remain an active participant in improving the welfare of animals nationwide.
How has Pilmico’s Project Hero initiative expanded its reach through partner shelter networks since 2023?
Since launching in 2023, Project Hero has grown from direct pet food donations to a network-driven model where partner shelters themselves redistribute supplies to other organizations, volunteers, and individuals. Over 4,200 bags of pet food have been distributed across Tarlac, Metro Manila, Cebu, Iligan, and beyond, with shelters like Iligan Stray Feeders reaching more locations around Cagayan de Oro.
How did Kuna Foundation’s role in the program extend the impact of Pilmico’s pet food donations?
Kuna Foundation received over 5,000 kg of Maxime pet food and went beyond storing it for their own shelter animals – they also shared supplies with local government unit shelter posts. This redistribution model multiplied the reach of a single donation batch, connecting it to government-managed stray animal facilities that might otherwise lack consistent pet food resources.
What is the Bayanihan principle, and how does it describe Pilmico’s approach to animal welfare?
Bayanihan is a Filipino cultural tradition of communal unity and cooperative effort, where people help one another without expectation of payment. In the context of this initiative, it describes how Pilmico, its partner shelters, and the Philippine Navy work together in a chain of generosity – each organization amplifying the impact of the others to reach more animals across the country.
What legislative development in March 2024 signals that Pilmico’s animal welfare work has broader national relevance?
On March 20, 2024, the Philippine Senate called for the passage of Senate Bill 2458, which seeks to amend the Animal Welfare Act to strengthen education on and response to animal welfare issues. Pilmico’s Project Hero, already active across multiple regions, is positioned as a model for the kind of private-sector engagement that complements this legislative direction.
