“A Day in Their Forever Home”: Shelter Pets in Photos by Shaira Luna

Pet wellness brand Dr. Shiba has partnered with Pawssion Project and photographer Shaira Luna for a unique campaign called “A Day in Their Forever Home,” aiming to boost adoption rates for shelter animals.

Casa Estrella Private Resort in Bulacan was transformed into a temporary home for select dogs and cats from Pawssion Project’s shelter. The goal: capture these animals outside their usual environment, allowing their true personalities to shine.

Philipp “Phil” Renner, CEO of Dr. Shiba, explained the motivation behind the campaign: “At the heart of Dr. Shiba is pet wellness, pet care, and pet health. A crucial part of that idea is that all pets can live happily in loving homes. We wanted to create a campaign that can give that opportunity to shelter animals too.”

“We had been wanting to do something bigger with Pawssion Project for a while, and then we had the idea of doing a photoshoot for some of the dogs and cats at the shelter, especially with a focus on senior dogs who maybe have had past lives, past owners, but still would really love a home for the remaining years that they have,” Renner continued.

Dr. Shiba’s involvement in this campaign is part of their ongoing commitment to animal welfare. The company has been a long-time partner of the Pawssion Project, donating a portion of its sales to support the organization’s rescue and rehabilitation initiatives. 

Malou Perez, who founded Pawssion Project in 2018, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative: “When Dr. Shiba approached us with this idea, we were thrilled. In the shelter, it’s challenging for people to see how loving and unique these animals can be. This campaign gives us a chance to show how they might act in a real home setting, helping potential adopters connect with them on a deeper level.”

Shaira Luna, known for her storytelling through photography, brought her professional expertise and personal passion to the project. “As a pet owner myself, this project really resonated with me,” Luna shared. “My aim was to capture each animal’s individual personality, not only to show potential adopters the joy and love these pets could bring to their homes, but more importantly, how they deserve to be loved and cared for. Taking photos and doting on my nine dogs is probably what I do what I do best, so this project really is a perfect fit .”

To further bring the campaign to life, Alexa Geronimo and VIRGO Kreativ Studio lent their filmmaking expertise, creating a compelling short film that captures the heart of the initiative and the day’s special moments.

Among the stars of the photoshoot were Zorro and Mega, from unwanted litters, now thriving and ready for adoption. Perez shared, “You can see Zorro was really happy going around. Mega also was all smiles almost the whole photoshoot. At the shelter, Zorro was in a cage for so long because he had parvo or distemper. He’s completely recovered now. And I am really looking forward to seeing him maintain that smile and this energy.”

The campaign also featured cats up for adoption. “All of the cats that we brought today were unwanted litters. They were also babies when we got them and some were left in a box outside the shelter. So, they’re all living miracles,” Perez stated. “My personal favorite is Sora. She’s so beautiful and she’s been brought to an adoption drive already, but she wasn’t adopted. Celery and Colette also, they’re siblings and they are very inseparable. So, we hope for the both of them to be adopted together.”

Also read: 5 Tips to Take Better Photos (By Shaira Luna, Magic Liwanag and James Reid)

One of the most heartwarming moments of the shoot came from Lolo Simba, an elderly dog estimated to be around 11 years old. Perez shared, “Lolo Simba was part of the first batch of dogs that I got from the pound. He has an enlarged heart and I don’t know for how much longer we can still have him, but we just want to make sure that his remaining days are filled with all of the happy memories.”

The Senior Dog Program, soon to be launched by Pawssion Project, aims to provide specialized care and attention to older dogs like Lolo Simba. This initiative will offer sponsorship opportunities, allowing supporters to contribute to the medical care, special diets, and comfort of senior dogs. The program also includes “weekend excursions,” where approved volunteers can take senior dogs out of the shelter for short trips, providing them with new experiences and social interactions in their golden years.

The photos from this shoot will be shared across various media platforms, with the hope of changing perceptions about shelter pets and encouraging more adoptions and support, especially for senior animals.

For those moved by this campaign, there are several ways to make a difference: Consider adopting from the Pawssion Project or donating to the Senior Dog Program. Every contribution, whether through adoption, sponsorship, or volunteering, helps create space for more animals to be rescued and cared for.

To learn more about adopting a pet or supporting Pawssion Project’s senior pet program, visit their page at bit.ly/supportpawssion.