BUSINESS
Advocates Philippines
Meralco Strengthens Support For DLSU Community Cats
Contributed Photo
Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has reaffirmed its commitment to animal welfare by strengthening its partnership with De La Salle University–Professors for the Upliftment of Society's Animals (DLSU-PUSA), a volunteer-led organization dedicated to caring for community cats on the university's Manila campus.
As part of the visit, Meralco representatives met with DLSU-PUSA volunteers to learn more about the organization's long-running initiatives, which include feeding programs, trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) campaigns, medical care, and adoption efforts for stray and community cats. The delegation also met Sweet Corn, one of the campus cats being cared for under the program.
Leading the visit was Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga, who also heads the company's CATropa program, an initiative that promotes responsible pet ownership and supports animal welfare organizations across the country.
"Every life matters and every paw deserves protection. We are one with DLSU-PUSA in its unwavering mission to foster a culture of compassion, give a voice to the voiceless, and ensure that the Lasallian campus remains a safe haven for all creatures," Zaldarriaga said during the visit.
DLSU-PUSA has become one of the country's recognized campus-based animal welfare groups, focusing on humane population management through TNVR—a globally recognized strategy that involves trapping stray cats, having them neutered or spayed and vaccinated, and returning them to their familiar environment. Animal welfare advocates consider the approach more effective and humane than relocating or euthanizing stray animals because it helps stabilize community cat populations while improving their health.
Meralco said its CATropa program continues to expand partnerships with schools, local governments, and animal welfare organizations to promote sustainable TNVR initiatives, responsible pet ownership, and safer communities for both animals and people. The program also supports public education campaigns aimed at encouraging compassion toward stray and abandoned animals.
The latest collaboration underscores the growing partnership between the private sector and volunteer organizations in promoting animal welfare, as more institutions adopt humane and sustainable ways of managing community cats while fostering a culture of kindness and responsible coexistence.
As part of the visit, Meralco representatives met with DLSU-PUSA volunteers to learn more about the organization's long-running initiatives, which include feeding programs, trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) campaigns, medical care, and adoption efforts for stray and community cats. The delegation also met Sweet Corn, one of the campus cats being cared for under the program.
Leading the visit was Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga, who also heads the company's CATropa program, an initiative that promotes responsible pet ownership and supports animal welfare organizations across the country.
"Every life matters and every paw deserves protection. We are one with DLSU-PUSA in its unwavering mission to foster a culture of compassion, give a voice to the voiceless, and ensure that the Lasallian campus remains a safe haven for all creatures," Zaldarriaga said during the visit.
DLSU-PUSA has become one of the country's recognized campus-based animal welfare groups, focusing on humane population management through TNVR—a globally recognized strategy that involves trapping stray cats, having them neutered or spayed and vaccinated, and returning them to their familiar environment. Animal welfare advocates consider the approach more effective and humane than relocating or euthanizing stray animals because it helps stabilize community cat populations while improving their health.
Meralco said its CATropa program continues to expand partnerships with schools, local governments, and animal welfare organizations to promote sustainable TNVR initiatives, responsible pet ownership, and safer communities for both animals and people. The program also supports public education campaigns aimed at encouraging compassion toward stray and abandoned animals.
The latest collaboration underscores the growing partnership between the private sector and volunteer organizations in promoting animal welfare, as more institutions adopt humane and sustainable ways of managing community cats while fostering a culture of kindness and responsible coexistence.
Jun 28, 2026
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