THESE days, animals have become more than just pets and constant companions. We see socialites and wannabe stars parading their dogs and cats, stuffed in designer handbags, complete with custom-made outfits and bejeweled collars. They have become the latest fashion accessory. v It’s no wonder then that people would choose dogs of popular breeds, like chihuahuas and terriers, the ones that can easily be carried around. What’s unfortunate is that behind these cute dogs wagging their tails in pet-shop windows are puppy mills that have been around for decades. Dogs are put in cages and continually bred for years. When they lose their fertility, they are usually killed or abandoned.

That is why the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has come up with the campaign “See Beauty Beyond Breed,” which aims to uplift the image of native dogs and encourage the adopting of native dogs and cats from the PAWS shelter.

The BusinessMirror caught up with Heart Evangelista, one of the campaign’s spokesmen. Heart, a self-confessed dog lover since she was a child, and then-boyfriend Jericho Rosales happily signed up to help PAWS in its advocacy.

“Owning a dog has become a fad these days. People think [dogs] are more of an accessory,” she says. “People take for granted dogs that are so-called Asong Pinoys.” Heart is referring to the mongrels and mutts that are more commonly known as askals, a term that PAWS hopes will soon evolve into aspins.

According to the PAWS web site, the campaign is dedicated to all the native cats and dogs, as well as their rescuers who have lent their support to continue saving animals from cruelty.

“Here in the Philippines, some people really eat dogs, it’s a delicacy for them,” says Heart. “The dogs [when they are butchered], they really scream and make noises, and for kids to grow up hearing that, it’s so brutal.”

“The dogs that you get to adopt at PAWS are the ones who have been rescued, like from the dog-meat trade. They really have a history, so it’s nice to give them such a good home after that [horrible experience].”

Heart, who lives with five dogs in her condominium, says that aspins are the same as the ones from so-called good breeds. “They’re actually a better breed because they’re a mixture of all breeds. So if you want a dog, get an Aspin. That’s what I am promoting.”

Heart and Jericho posed with rescued animals in posters that have been on display in Penshoppe stores (both are endorsers of the lifestyle brand) and Eastwood City since September of last year. As a result of the campaign, Brian, the shelter dog that appeared with Heart in the campaign poster, has been adopted. 

As a kid, Heart remembers that she always looked after dogs, even those that were not her own. “I would [ask the driver] to stop the car, and I would go up to people and tell them to put food in their bowls. Kasi minsan nakatali lang iyong dogs, wala ng pagkain. Ever since I was a kid, I was already interested [in helping animals].”

Spending time with your pet(s) is also important. “[My dogs] have a yaya at home. But whenever I’m free, I take them to Serendra for a walk. Happy na sila ng ganun.”

The young actress also offers a piece of advice to those thinking of having lots of pets. With nine German shepherds and three chihuahuas living in her parents’ house, she obviously knows whereof she speaks. “You have to make sure that you are fair, that you don’t engage in favoritism whatsoever.”

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