PAWS concludes first-ever CatCon 2026, highlights community cat welfare

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) concluded the first-ever CatCon 2026 and called the conference “the beginning of the movement.”

On Facebook, PAWS said the event gathered over 100 participants representing 64 community cat groups and served as a space for advocates to share their experiences in rescuing and caring for community cats.

The organization said attendees exchanged stories of feeding and rescuing cats, covering veterinary expenses out of pocket, navigating difficult conversations with neighbors and property administrators, and celebrating small victories that encouraged them to continue their work.

“A movement begins when people stop seeing community cats as animals who simply happen to be there and start recognizing them as lives that matter and members of the community worth protecting,” PAWS said.

The conference also highlighted the importance of recognizing community cats as lives that matter and as members of neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and cities that deserve protection.

"May the first CatCon be remembered as the day many separate efforts began moving in one direction," the organization said.

PAWS Executive Director Anna Cabrera also reminded participants that they are not alone in their advocacy.

“We hope you left knowing that there is now a growing network of advocates beside you as you continue working for community cats and animal welfare,” she said.

In February, PAWS and legal network AskAbogado collaborated to offer free legal consultation for qualified cases of animal cruelty in the Philippines.

— Hermes Joy Tunac/LA, GMA News