FOCA organizes dog walks, events, stray animal management workshops and training for emotional support dog teams. UP shouldn't be just a place for great minds. It must also be a safe haven for the campus animals because they are very much a part of the community. Friends of Campus Animals (FOCA UP) is a group of concerned faculty, students, alumni, staff and residents of the Diliman campus working to help our community animals. Our volunteers also include friends who are not directly involved in the UP community but who support our ideals. We strongly believe that UP, as the country's premier university, must fulfill its responsibility of raising animal welfare awareness and compassion inside the academic institution. As the pioneer campus animal welfare group in the country, FOCA works with the UPD administration to promote humane animal management through TNVR (Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return). In June and November 2019, some 760 campus cats and dogs were neutered and spayed with the help of partner organizations Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF), Humane Society International (HSI), Philippine Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA), and Vets Love Nature. FOCA's other activities include:
- finding homes for friendly and neutered campus animals
- lectures / seminars / workshops on animal welfare-related topics
- promoting mental health with help from our UPD Emotional
Support Animals (events and visits to the different colleges)
- training of the UPD Emotional Support Dogs and Handlers team
- information campaign on Responsible Pet Guardianship and
Humane Animal Management
- yearly dog pack walk that kicks off the UP Lantern Parade
If you want to make a difference for our campus animals, contact us. Help us achieve our goal. Healthy Animals. One Community.
