It takes a village to promote compassion, protection, and respect for animals, and be moved to take active steps to help. 

Compassion and empathy are not individual traits, definitely. Compassion and empathy are nurtured and spread through a community. 

The migration of a dog named “Aya,” who once roamed the building blocks of an Ayala-owned business district in Cebu City, to her fur-ever family in Sacramento, California, USA speaks eloquently of the tremendous things achieved through compassion and empathy. 

The best life being afforded to Aya began when Cebu Business Park and Cebu IT Park allowed community dogs and cats in their premises.

In an interview with Hazel Aguisanda, president and co-founder of Happy Tails Animal Welfare Organization, Inc. it was learned that while the business districts have the heart to keep the community animals, they knew less about proper pet care. So, a partnership was forged between the business districts and Happy Tails Animal Welfare Organization, Inc. as an outsourced animal welfare partner. 

Hazel narrated that about a year ago, a community dog at Cebu IT Park befriended a couple and would hang out with them in the few weeks they stayed in Cebu. 

Aya, short for Ayala, is described to be a sweet, lovely, behaved dog which caught at once the eyes of condominium residents, Jon and Apple.

“Jon and Apple fell in love with Aya immediately,” Hazel said. 

Jon is from California while Apple is Jon’s Filipina fiancée at the time they set their eyes on the adorable Aya. 

However, they only had two days left to their stay in Cebu, so they requested Happy Tails to foster Aya, as well as for veterinary assistance as they planned to fetch Aya to live with them in California permanently.

Jon and Apple are aware that the preparation process for Aya’s trip is long, costly, and will also require Aya to be in tip-top shape. 

Happy Tails fostered Aya and was with her in the long preparation phase under the able veterinary care of Dr. Ryan Sumicad Yandug. 

Yandug made sure that Aya will pass all the needed health requirements and be able to fly with the couple. 

Initially, Aya failed in her series of blood tests. 

Hazel pointed out that it took an initial P30,000 to cover the cost of Aya’s blood tests. Her blood samples had to be taken to Japan for thorough examination. 

Aya suffered from low platelet count, tick-borne disease which is common to community dogs, among other health concerns. 

She stayed for about a month under Dr. Yandug’s veterinary care. 

After 11 months, Jon and Apple flew back to Cebu to arrange for Aya’s transport, and to be with her on the same flight to the United States.

With the help of a pet transport service provider, Aya was flown from Cebu to Los Angeles via Taipei, Taiwan for the first part of the trip.

"She is said to be very behaved during the flight. The pet transport service provider expressed appreciation for Aya's demeanor despite the long-haul flight," Hazel said. 

Upon her arrival in Los Angeles, Aya embarked on an eight-hour land trip to Sacramento - maintaining her composure and calm - where she is ushered to her "fur-ever home." 

“This happy tale will not be possible without compassionate businesses like Ayala's Asiatown IT Park who allows community dogs and cats to stay in their estate..thank you to the Ayala estate group headed by Ms. Jinky, Ms. Jennifer Paglinawan and Gerald Oporto for your constant support. We bid a bittersweet goodbye to our baby girl, but it warms our hearts to see her off with her new family. Thank you Jon and Apple for not giving up on Aya girl,” Hazel said in a message.