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This qualitative research study explored the experiences and views of Filipinos who adopted multiple stray cats. The participants were residents of Metro Manila from ages 18-to 30 years old who owned a minimum of eight cats for more than three years. The data analysis followed a six-step process of thematic analysis. The results showed that animal lovers treat their cats like humans, acquire benefits from taking care of them, develop social connections, and hold beliefs and superstitions about cats. Reasons for cat owners to adopt stray cats are unplanned adoption, interest in cats, the influence of other people, compassion for stray cats, and cats as alternative options for children. However, cat owners who own multiple stray cats struggle because of unpleasant feline behavior, inflating cat population, negative psychological impact, complaints from others, and concerns about cleanliness and orderliness.
In the Philippines, around 12 million stray animals, primarily cats, roamed the streets of Metro Manila in the year 2019 (Vila, 2020). The stray cat population is high since stray cats can reproduce three litters of kittens per year as they reach their reproductive age (Trouwborst et al., 2020). Meanwhile, Filipinos are willing to take in or adopt stray cats who need care and shelter. This behavior of adopting cats and treating them as part of the family stems from Filipino culture. Some Filipinos practice animism, believing that everything in the environment has its soul and should be respected (Murga, 2020). One of the reasons Filipino individuals prefer to have as many pets as possible is the permanent happiness or Ligaya that they bring. Ligaya is manifested internally and expressed in permanence due to immense love for something important (Javier, 2010). Filipinos also have strong family ties (RoseberryMcKibbin, 1997). Along with it, pets have become the initial preference of Filipinos since it builds a bond of friendship, companionship, and affection (De Guzman et al., 2009).
Owning or rescuing multiple stray animals is risky (MagliaBatista, 2019). Risks include health hazards for the pets when their veterinary needs are not provided, health risks for the owners due to the possible lack of self-care, and community health risks such as possible unsanitary conditions of the pets leading to contagious diseases. Responsible pet ownership continues to be low in the...