Acts of compassion toward stray animals are nothing new. Across offices, neighborhoods, and communities, it is common to see individuals leaving food out for cats and dogs—small gestures rooted in empathy. But without structure, these well-meaning efforts can sometimes lead to unintended consequences, from overpopulation to public health risks.

What happens, then, when compassion is paired with system and strategy?

At the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), a volunteer-driven initiative has evolved into a structured animal welfare program—one that seeks not only to care for stray animals, but to address the root of the problem itself.

From volunteers to a growing movement

Meralco’s animal welfare initiatives, CATropa and BARKada, took center stage during the company’s “Malasakit Fur All” event, which gathered more than 150 employees, partners, and advocates at its headquarters in Pasig City.

Originally formed in 2024 as a small group of volunteers, the initiative has since grown into a company-supported program, expanding across offices and gaining backing from management.

What began as simple acts of feeding stray animals gradually evolved into something more organized—an effort to bring structure to what many employees were already doing informally.

When compassion isn’t enough

For many, feeding stray animals feels like the most immediate way to help. But as Meralco’s volunteers discovered, this approach alone can create new challenges if left unmanaged.

“We don’t just feed, we fix,” said Michelle Caguioa, Animal Welfare Advocacy Program Manager and Head of Advocacy Communications Management at Meralco.

She explained that spontaneous feeding, especially without coordination, can lead to overpopulation and even attract pests such as rodents and insects. Without spaying and neutering, the number of animals can quickly grow beyond what a space can sustainably support.

The realization marked a turning point for the group—shifting their focus from reactive care to long-term solutions.

“Malasakit with guidance”

At the core of CATropa is a simple but defining principle: compassion, when guided properly, can become sustainable.

“It is malasakit with guidance,” Caguioa said.

Under this framework, the initiative introduced structured programs such as “Mission Possible,” its trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) effort, and “Spay It Forward,” which extends services beyond Meralco facilities and into surrounding communities through partnerships.

Rather than relying on isolated acts of care, the program emphasizes consistency—ensuring animals are not only fed, but also vaccinated, sterilized, and monitored. In doing so, malasakit becomes something practiced daily, embedded into routine rather than reserved for occasional acts.

Beyond CSR: A shift in corporate culture

Animal welfare is not typically associated with the core operations of an energy company. Yet for Meralco, the initiative reflects something deeper than corporate social responsibility.

“It’s more than CSR—it’s really a corporate governance thing,” Caguioa said.

The program aligns with Meralco’s value of malasakit, translating it into everyday action within the workplace. What was once a loose collection of individual efforts has become a shared responsibility—supported by guidelines, coordination across departments, and engagement with external partners.

This shift reframes the role of companies in addressing social issues, showing how workplace culture can extend beyond business operations into community impact.

A model others can follow

For Caguioa, the approach taken by CATropa and BARKada is not unique to Meralco—it is something that can be replicated in other organizations and communities.

“The first step… is to walk the talk,” she said.

This begins with basic but essential actions: spaying and neutering animals, ensuring vaccinations, and organizing efforts within a defined system. Partnerships also play a crucial role, from local government units offering free or low-cost services to animal welfare organizations such as PAWS, CARA, and Biyaya Animal Care.

Within companies, coordination across departments—such as human resources and facilities management—helps institutionalize these efforts, adapting them to different workplace environments regardless of size.

The message is clear: meaningful impact does not require large-scale infrastructure, but it does require structure.

From program to movement

The “Malasakit Fur All” event highlighted how far the initiative has come, bringing together stakeholders from government, the private sector, and civil society in a shared commitment to animal welfare.

Held in line with Rabies Awareness Month, the event also underscored the connection between animal welfare and public health, emphasizing responsible pet ownership, vaccination, and humane population management.

Activities ranged from TNVR and vaccination efforts to adoption drives and community engagement, reflecting a broader push to turn advocacy into action.

“Spay it forward”

As the program continues to grow, its next phase lies in expanding beyond Meralco’s spaces and into wider communities.

“Start with your own pets. Start in your own communities… just spay it forward,” Caguioa said.

The call is both simple and practical—encouraging individuals and organizations to take responsibility within their immediate environments, creating a ripple effect that can scale over time.

A question of scale

Compassion for animals is widespread. But as Meralco’s experience shows, compassion alone is not always enough.

When paired with structure, coordination, and long-term thinking, it can evolve into something more—an approach that not only cares for animals, but also addresses the systems that shape their welfare.

The question now is no longer whether such initiatives can work within a corporate setting—but how far they can go if more organizations choose to follow.

Follow Power Philippines on Facebook and LinkedIn or join our Viber community for more updates.