Three-month-old Nimitz peed on my mom’s carpet as soon as he set foot in my parents’ living room. He chewed through our vintage narra furniture, rummaged through our trash, and clumsily bumped home appliances to the end of their lifespan. Most people thought that this was a dog I needed to discipline, but what actually happened was, right in the middle of a global pandemic, Nimitz straightened me out.
I had always envisioned my dog as a reflection of my own personality—high-energy, extroverted, and endlessly curious. My dad suggested a calm, reliable German Shepherd—someone easy to train, preferably female, as it was to be his eldest daughter’s 18th birthday gift. But this was my first dog. Not a family dog, not an extension to anyone else’s life—just mine. I wanted him to be the canine equivalent of a burst of joyful exuberance, a ridiculous ball of positivity that could get away with being criminally clumsy simply because of how endearing he was. My yellow Labrador Retriever Nimitz, with all his sunny mischief, fit that vision perfectly.
On his first night home, I remember telling everyone I couldn’t believe it. “It’s like the sun grew four legs!”
Pet-a-morphosis: The transformative love of pets.
A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey reports that 64 percent of Filipino households now have pets integrated into their families, with pets playing a crucial role in alleviating feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially in times of crisis. From a survey conducted by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, 80 percent of pet owners turn to their pets for comfort when feeling lonely.
Caitlyn, 20, credits much of her personal growth to her five-year-old shih tzu-poodle mix Lily. “After getting my dog, who I treat like my child, people have told me I’ve changed and become more mature,” she says. Now, with even more pets, Caitlyn feels she’s also become more responsible. Lily, also a pandemic pup, was inseparable from Caitlyn, often tagging along as her pet parent rode horses in Bukidnon. Though the horses dwarfed her, Lily joyfully kept up, gleefully trotting alongside her equine siblings.
Sheila, a 46-year-old lawyer, found the shift to lockdown during pandemic particularly challenging. Used to juggling court cases and client meetings, she was suddenly confined to her condominium, a stark contrast to her usual fast-paced, globe-trotting lifestyle. It was no one other than Juancho—a rabbit easily mistaken for an oversized piece of cotton—that eased her into her new routine.
Lara’s Ark, a Nasugbu-based animal shelter and sanctuary, sees pet adoption as a way to nurture mental well-being, with digital director Kai Yulo sharing that “pet companionship and love is transformative.” Yulo says, “This is something we’ve seen time and time again in our own lives and within our community. At Lara’s Ark, we’ve always envisioned becoming a center for animal-assisted therapy, where rescues can be trained as therapy or emotional support animals to help people cope with anxiety, depression, grief, or even physical health problems.”
Camille Asuncion, MD, co-founder of Communitails, an animal-assisted interventions practice, research, and training center reminds us that “pets do not judge people.” “They just accept you as you are. No matter your past or how you see yourself, a pet is there to welcome you without conditions,” she says.
Your dog isn’t staring, he’s just hugging you back!
This unconditional acceptance is more than emotional: it is also biological. When we interact with pets, our brains release oxytocin—the “love hormone”—which fosters feelings of attachment and emotional connection. Interestingly, the same happens for pets: their brains release oxytocin, too, strengthening the bond. “Imagine that every time you hug your pet, you’re both creating an invisible ball of positive energy that surrounds you,” says Dr. Asuncion. “At that moment, your worries seem to melt away, and all that matters is the shared connection between you and your pet.”
Mom guilt also happens to pet parents, right?
Like many pet parents who adopted mid-lockdown, Caitlyn, Sheila, and I found ourselves struggling after the pandemic—our lives had become a hundred times more vibrant, and the world had expanded like never before, yet we couldn’t shake the guilt that living this life meant leaving our pets behind.
This feeling of guilt is not unique to us. While Caitlyn’s family and Sheila’s parents both happily stepped up to care for Lily and Juancho, respectively, many “pandemic pets” faced far less fortunate circumstances. “Neglect or abandonment is a greater concern than returning pets to shelters, as surrendering isn’t as common in the Philippines,” Yulo points out. “These challenges highlight the importance of careful screening and education to ensure adopters are prepared for the long-term responsibilities of pet ownership.” These concerns resonate deeply, especially for those who adopted pets impulsively during the pandemic without considering the long-term commitment.
Dr. Asuncion reflects on this reality: “The pandemic led to a surge in ‘pet hoarding’ through adoption. While the idea of having a pet to care for offered comfort and a sense of responsibility during such a stressful time, it also brought about challenges when the novelty wore off. Many who adopted pets with good intentions were later confronted with the realities of animal care, leading to abandonment or rehoming. This is why proper screening is essential, not just for financial capability, but also for the ability to meet the five freedoms of animal welfare.”
These freedoms—freedom from hunger, discomfort, pain, fear, and the freedom to express normal behavior—are at the heart of responsible pet ownership. And they serve as a reminder that adopting a pet is not just about filling an emotional void in times of crisis, but also about making a lasting commitment to the well-being of an animal.
I didn’t choose my pet, my pet chose me.
Sheila and Juancho’s love story was as 21st century as any modern relationship. Someone put up an ad for him online, the way people do on Tinder, except Juancho was a bunny. “It was like he was entirely me in rabbit form,” she says, noting their similarities in demeanor and personality. Caitlyn felt like that about Lily, too, talking about their shared love for the outdoors and their optimistic personalities. “My dad would tease us about how we’re attached by the hip [in everything we do],” she says.
These sentiments are reinforced by Yulo, echoing that pet adoption is a lifelong commitment, and temperament definitely matters more than breed. “It’s important to be prepared emotionally, financially, and logistically,” she says. “Think about your lifestyle and match it with a pet whose energy levels, temperament, and size suit your home and family. Consider adopting older dogs too—not just puppies. Older dogs are often calmer and have more developed personalities, making it easier to see if they’re the right fit for you.” She also urges people to be open to adopting aspins. “While there’s still some stigma around them in the Philippines, aspins are resilient, loyal, and loving companions with so much to give—they just need someone willing to see their potential.”
For anyone planning to raise pets, “educate yourself about animal welfare, read up on pet ownership, and ask fellow pet owners about their experiences with different types of pets,” Dr. Asuncion says “You can also visit rescue shelters to get a feel for the animals there, ask questions, and even volunteer by feeding or bathing the rescues. This will help you decide if you’re unsure. Be clear about your preferences and your capacity—financially, emotionally, and in terms of physical space. Some people may prefer a larger pet, while others might opt for a smaller one due to limited living space. Some might gravitate towards specific breeds because of their temperament or appearance—perhaps they’re ‘friendlier’ with kids or perceived as ‘cuter.’ Regardless of breed, the most important thing is the pet’s temperament.”
If you’re looking to make a tangible impact, there are a number of ways to give a pet a second chance. You might consider saving dogs and cats from the pound at Strays Worth Saving Philippines, offering a home to retired K-9s through Hound Haven Philippines, or taking in strays from Lara’s Ark. These organizations provide not only the opportunity to rescue an animal in need, but also the chance to form a bond with a creature who, in its own way, may have chosen you. In the end, our pets really do choose us, and how lucky we are when they do.
