Mars, a leading pet care company behind beloved brands such as PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, and CESAR®, has officially launched the second annual Mars Global Adoption Weekend (GAW). Building on the success of last year’s campaign, the 2025 edition now spans over 20 countries, highlighting the impact of pets on mental wellbeing and how adopting a shelter pet can transform both animal and human lives. The Philippines is among the first markets to kick off the initiative through a partnership with Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) at the 10th Anniversary Run Fur Life event in Manila.
Mars Petcare launched the second Global Adoption Weekend in the Philippines through a partnership with Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) at the 10th Anniversary Run Fur Life. The signature event gathered over 1,000 participants, both humans and dogs to celebrate the bond between pets and pet parents while raising funds for homeless and shelter animals.
Mars’ Continued Commitment to Pet Adoption
For more than three decades, Mars has worked with local NGOs, veterinarians, and community leaders in the Philippines to tackle pet homelessness. Through education programs and donations, the company has consistently supported both pets in need and the communities that care for them. At the heart of its mission is a strong belief that every pet deserves a loving home.
This year, Mars deepened its commitment through its collaboration with AKF at Run Fur Life, held on September 28, 2025. The event celebrated the bond between pets and owners while raising funds for homeless and shelter animals. More than 1,000 participants, both people and dogs, joined the run. The mascot, BB the dog, played a central role. BB, a tripod dog rescued by AKF volunteers, has become a symbol of resilience and advocacy for shelter adoption in the Philippines.
The event highlighted how pets can transform lives, supported by the Mars and CALM PAWS Survey 2025, which revealed that 83% of people worldwide say their pet has improved their mental wellbeing.
Shelter Adoptions Create Lasting Impact
Shelter adoptions in the Philippines remain in low single digits, but their effect is undeniable. Adopting a shelter pet gives the animal a second chance while enriching the adopter’s life.
“Adopting a shelter pet changes two lives. It’s not only the pet’s life that is transformed, but the human’s as well. This Mars Global Adoption Weekend, Mars Philippines is proud to champion adoption by donating more than 30,000 daily pet meals to our shelter partners. In October 2025 anyone can help fill the bowl of shelter pets in the Philippines with Mars #TwoLivesChanged campaign at Shopee, Lazada and TikTok. Mars will donate meals for shelter pets with every purchase of PEDIGREE® and WHISKAS® products in our official stores*,” shares Ms. Deng Osite, Sales Director, Mars Petcare Philippines.
“This year marks a decade of AKF Run Fur Life, and we are proud to celebrate it with our long-standing partner, Mars Philippines. Together, we’ve built initiatives such as www.WeR4HappyTails.com, a portal that connects future pet parents with adoptable cats and dogs from partner shelters,” adds Atty. Heidi Marquez-Caguioa, Program Director of Animal Kingdom Foundation. “The site not only promotes responsible pet ownership, but also helps families find the furry companions who will change their lives forever. It’s the perfect moment to take that step and welcome a new companion and get #TwoLivesChanged”.
Educating and Inspiring Responsible Pet Ownership
Mars and AKF’s efforts go beyond adoption drives. Education remains a critical part of the campaign, with the goal of promoting responsible ownership. Pets are becoming increasingly central in people’s lives, especially among younger Filipinos. Data shows that 49% of Gen Z dog owners and 42% of young cat owners in the Philippines consider their pets the most important part of their lives.
By combining awareness, partnerships, and accessible adoption platforms, Mars and AKF are helping transform the perception of shelter pets. Through initiatives like Global Adoption Weekend, more people are encouraged to open their homes to pets in need, ensuring lasting change for both animals and families.
The Mars Global Adoption Weekend partnership with AKF represents a significant step forward in addressing pet homelessness in the Philippines. The campaign underscores a simple truth: pets and people are better together, and adoption has the power to change two lives at once.
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