CATROPA: MERALCO Animal Welfare Program
There are over 300 community cats inside Meralco properties and facilities
All of which are taken care of, looked after, and allowed to roam unhindered.
Animal homelessness in the Philippines has reached a critical level. The Philippine Animal Welfare Society estimates over 13 million stray cats and dogs nationwide, while the World Health Organization ranks the country sixth globally in human rabies incidence, with many cases linked to stray animal bites. In highly urbanized areas like Metro Manila, rapid development has reduced safe spaces for community animals, especially cats.
Operating across Metro Manila and nearby provinces, Meralco recognized the growing presence of community cats within its own properties. This led to the creation of CATropa, an animal welfare initiative rooted in the belief that people and community animals can safely coexist through humane, sustainable, and community-centered solutions—focusing on responsible population management rather than displacement.
Ensuring the well-being of community animals through structured care and sustainable initiatives.
Advocating for responsible care and humane stray animal management.
Collaborating with stakeholders, employees, and communities to strengthen animal welfare efforts.
At the core of CATropa is Meralco’s commitment to humane population management and responsible care through TNVR. In partnership with Biyaya Animal Care, the program promotes spaying, neutering, and vaccination of community cats within Meralco facilities.
Recognized as the most effective and humane solution to overpopulation, the TNVR program has expanded beyond headquarters to sector offices within Meralco’s franchise area. To date, about 300 community cats have been spayed and neutered within Meralco compounds.
The Spay It Forward campaign extends advocacy beyond company facilities by working with LGUs and city veterinary offices to make spay and neuter services more accessible.
In December 2024, Meralco launched Spay It Forward in Pateros, the only municipality in Metro Manila without a veterinary office, providing free procedures and vaccinations for over 120 cats and dogs. This initiative was made possible through partnerships with the Philippine Veterinary Medical Association, Pateros LGU, and Biyaya Animal Care. The campaign showcased how strategic collaborations can turn advocacy into tangible, community-level impact, improving animal welfare and public health.
The advocacy continued the following year in Laiya, San Juan, Batangas, through a partnership between Meralco, One Meralco Foundation (OMF), Landco Pacific Corporation, and Biyaya Animal Care. The two-day initiative was mounted in response to concerns raised by local communities and resort operators about the growing number of community animals in the area, an issue that has implications for both public safety and tourism. The campaign provided free spaying, neutering, and anti-rabies vaccinations to 250 cats and dogs from Barangay Laiya Aplaya and nearby barangays.
During calamities, Meralco extends aid not just to families but also to their pets. Through One Meralco Foundation and its partnership with the Philippine Animal Welfare Society, relief efforts include food, care, and veterinary support for affected animals.
Beyond relief efforts, Meralco line crews also respond to animal emergencies by rescuing trapped animals from poles and substations. In collaboration with the Bureau of Fire Protection, Meralco’s rescue teams assist in saving animals from flood-prone areas—proving that compassion is practiced not only during formal campaigns, but in everyday operations as well.
Education is central to CATropa. The program equips employees and communities with knowledge on animal welfare, responsible ownership, and humane practices.
Through digital content, seminars, and active storytelling, CATropa encourages employees to volunteer, foster, and adopt, building a culture where kindness is practiced through informed action.
Cats and Dogs have benefitted from Mission PAW-ssible and
Spay it Forward
Since the program launched in 2024, these campaigns have benefited over 670 cats and dogs within and beyond Meralco’s service areas—reflecting an ongoing commitment to building inclusive, safer, and more sustainable communities through humane and responsible animal welfare practices.
At Meralco, we uphold compassion and responsibility not only for people, but also for animals in our communities.
The safety and well-being of every animal in our care matters deeply. If you witness animal abuse, neglect, or any situation that may put an animal at risk, please report it immediately through the Incident Report Management System (IRMS).
The IRMS is an online tool that helps report and document incidents to ensure proper action and safety improvements.
For incidents occurring outside Meralco premises, you may report the matter through the Philippine National Police (PNP) Hotline.
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Your action makes a difference.