FOCA UP

18/08/2026

How fast can you bond with a dog that you just met?

18/08/2026

A sudden change of mind...

17/08/2026

PAGASA PREDICTED A "DRY DAY" last Saturday so we were able to walk with the dogs. Everything else was still wet and muddy but that didn't stop us from enjoying the morning with the ESA and the DiWA who always look forward to this chance to walk around with their canine barkada and make new friends. Everyone said they enjoyed the walk, the company, the dogs, and the games! Special thanks go to The Third Space UP Diliman, UP Diliman Office of Student Projects and Activities UP Diliman Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.

07/08/2026

PACK WALK POSTPONED TO A LATER DATE!

We would like to inform those who registered for the Aug. 8 pack walk that it will be postponed due to inclement weather brought about by the southwest monsoon and Tropical Depression MAYMAY. The PAGASA forecast for tomorrow indicates continued rainfall ranging from moderate to heavy.

Rest assured that we will find a new pack walk date for you. Thank you.

FOCA UP

07/08/2026

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs (OVCCA) will conduct the third phase of the University-wide Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (CNVR) Program on 29 August 2026, from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, at Third Space, Kamia Residence Hall.

In partnership with the Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) and the Quezon City Veterinary Department, the program aims to manage the campus animal population through the safe capture, spaying/neutering, vaccination, and return of community cats and dogs from selected academic, administrative, and residential areas.

Building administrators and designated personnel are requested to coordinate and accompany their respective community animals during the activity.

Registration is required, and due to limited slots, only registered participants will be accommodated.

Register here: https://forms.gle/tCH6ECRmdyyuCY4dA
or scan the QR code below.

07/08/2026

06/08/2026

FYT, a Belgian Malinois, was one of the very first Emotional Support Animals (ESA) of UP Diliman. He left his military bomb sniffing career and retired at Hound Haven from where he was adopted in 2018 by the UP Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at that time. His gentle demeanor and patience with students made him the ideal ESA. Before the COVID lockdown, FYT spent his days doing emotional support work with KOTTON, who took the night shift, at the Diliman Resource Learning Center (DLRC). The former DLRC re-opened in February 2024 and is now known as The Third Space. The ESA Program has recently been re-named as the Diliman Wellness Animals or DiWA program. The 9 emotional support dogs, who are now known as DiWA, work in shifts to interact with students and help them de-stress from academic and emotional challenges.

04/08/2026

Calling UPD Alumni! This Pack Walk is for you! Remember the date: Oct. 10, 2026.
This is your chance to meet and bond with the FOCA Emotional Support Animals (ESA) and the OVCSA/OSH Diliman Wellness Animals (DiWA).
See you soon!

Let’s take a PAWS! 🐶🐾

The UP Diliman (UPD) Alumni Relations and the UP Friends of Campus Animals (FOCA UP) cordially invite UPD alumni to a pack-walk event “Pa(c)k-babalik: UP Diliman Alumni Dog Walk” on 10 October 2026, Saturday, 8 a.m., at the University Academic Oval.

By joining, you will get a chance to meet the sweet and goofy Emotional Support Animals of FOCA UP and the Diliman Wellness Animals under the care of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and the Office of Student Housing. You will also get to reconnect with your fellow UPD alumni.

To secure your slot, register at https://bit.ly/UPDARPackbabalik or scan the QR code on the poster below.

We hope to see you there!

For inquiries, email [email protected].

02/08/2026

UPCAT COMFORT WALK with the ESA and the DIWA ( 1 August 2026 )

The UP campus was filled with people seated just about everywhere, on the grass in the sunken garden, on the concrete benches along the Oval, on the planters at the Grandstand, on the sidewalks and steps at Quezon Hall. Our team of 13 dogs, 13 handlers and 4 monitors walked among them and engaged with families and friends of senior high students taking the UPCAT exam.

Parents who were praying that their sons and daughters would pass the exams temporarily forgot their worries and as they chatted with us and held the FOCA Emotional Support Animals (ESA) and the Diliman Wellness Animals (DiWA).

A very anxious student who was scheduled to take the exam in the afternoon laughed as she gingerly stroked Redfox. She hopes to get into UP to study Veterinary Medicine, and her genuine interest and gentleness with the dogs shows just how she loves animals.

Groups of students waiting to take the exam forgot their fears and laughed as they interacted with the dogs. As usual, Kotton entertained them with his roll overs. Even people who said they were afraid of dogs ended up carrying little Sophie, a shih tzu, who engaged them with her smile and baby charm.

The dogs (Kotton, Dimanche, Moana, Aqua, Coco, Sophie, Redfox, Beau, Gwynny, Savvy, Dagz, Peanut, Cammy) cooperated and allowed people to pet them. This is what they trained for and they just love the attention. FOCA has been doing the UPCAT Comfort Walk for 3 years now and it is always fulfilling for the handlers and monitors to see the stress slip away from the faces of these people.

By interacting with the ESAs and the DiWA, these students were able to de-stress and relax before taking the exam. We wish them the best of luck and hope that they all make it into UP!