The Matsunaga siblings are the latest celebrity ambassadors for The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) to promote “spay and neuter” or kapon of companion animals. The ads, shot by photographer Roy Macam, feature actor Daniel Matsunaga with neutered dog Sumo and model Vanessa Matsunaga with spayed poodle Carly.
Spay-neuter of pet dogs and cats is done by a licensed veterinarian to keep the animals from reproducing. Having pets fixed is not a popular practice among Filipino pet owners and animal lovers. However, this procedure is actually the main solution to the problem of pet overpopulation, which directly contributes to the growing number of stray animals. Cases of injured and malnourished dogs and cats on the streets can be prevented if pet owners spay or neuter their pets.
Daniel and Vanessa unveiled the ads for the media at Sobremesa, a pet-friendly restaurant they co-own with Chef Benjo Tuason located at The Sapphire Bloc, Ortigas Center.
The Matsunagas are animal lovers who can attest to the benefits of spay-neuter for their pets.
PAWS executive director Anna Cabrera says they are glad to finally have celebrities speaking up on the issue of spay-neuter. “One of the reasons kapon is unpopular in the Philippines is the prevailing mindset of Filipinos that it is harmful to the animal and that it makes male pets less masculine and female pets less feminine as they can no longer reproduce.”
Cabrera explained that the surgical procedure is done on the animal while it is under general anesthesia so the animal does not feel pain. A few hours after the procedure, the dog is already up and about. Fixed animals also become less aggressive and live longer, healthier lives.
“We’re so happy that two of the entertainment industry’s most beautiful personalities have agreed to help debunk the myths,” Cabrera said.
Appearing in the ad with Daniel is their family’s eight-year-old dog Sumo. “We had Sumo neutered because we did not want him to reproduce as he already has physical problems because of the in-breeding.”
Daniel further adds that it is a misconception that only aspin or puspin (native dogs and cats) need to be spayed or neutered. “Purebreed dogs need to be fixed, as well. It is especially important to prevent your dogs from reproducing when you know you cannot take care of the puppies or kittens.”
PAWS offers low-cost spay-neuter services at their clinic. The cost of spaying a female aspin is P1,500 while neutering a male aspin is P1,000.
Today, Feb. 23, is “International Spay Day,” and PAWS will celebrate this event by offering free spay-neuter procedures to indigent pet owners, who can come to the PAWS Clinic on Feb. 26.