MANILA -- An affectionate and inseparable mother-daughter, a sweet treat-loving “Big Boi,” an independent and vocal “Star,” and a blind “Cookie” that needs a lot of TLC—these are some of the cats residing at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) that are ready to add something special to your home with their unique personalities. 

According to Cats of CHR, a group dedicated to caring for the felines in the area, they are speeding up the process of finding families for the furbabies and approximately about 30 more after the management of CHR asked them to “submit a proposed timeframe for the gradual adoption of all the cats over a period of three months.” 

“The Cats of CHR initiative began in 2018 when I, being new to CHR, began casually feeding the cats I encountered. I connected with fellow employees who shared a similar interest in caring for cats. Together, we formed a group,” the founder of the organization, who opted not to be named, said.

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She continued: "Apart from providing food and shelter, we ensure their health by offering medical care as needed. And of course, love. Unconditional love." 

In a statement posted by CHR online, it explained the decision was made as some of the animals had reportedly bitten and scratched employees, as well as damaged the office's property. 

“It is equally important to acknowledge that there have been various incidents as well as complaints reported, including cat bites and scratches suffered by CHR employees who had to sadly pay for their own medical expenses, and recently, damage to office property which is unfortunate due to the recent budget cut of the maintenance and other operating expenses or MOOE of the CHR,” it said in a statement. 

“We understand that caring for animals is a noble endeavor, but it should not compromise the right to safety and security of employees and clients in the office, nor the integrity of CHR's property. It is essential that we find a balance between compassion for animals and responsibility towards our workplace environment,” it added. 

Cats of CHR, however, stressed the animals are not hostile. 

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“They aren't just friendly; they are also incredibly lovable. They bring us joy and make us humans feel loved, reciprocating the affection we give them,” the founder said. 

She went on: “Some employees have formed strong bonds with some of the cats, despite being aloof. Over time, trust is earned, leading to meaningful relationships. For instance, a cat named Calico, currently available for adoption, initially displayed aggression towards those attempting to approach her. Through consistent care and attention, a close friendship developed between us.” 

The advocacy group also added most of the animals have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated against rabies, and even microchipped.

“Some of the cats residing within the vicinity of CHR, usually outside the building, hiding somewhere, are strays from UP Diliman, and since the start of Cats of CHR, we have not been familiar with them. However, we included them in our spay and neuter program in partnership with the Quezon City Veterinary Department. After providing post-surgery care, they were released to go about their lives since they are aloof towards people. We simply provide them with food.  Other cats are friendly and receive direct care from us,” the founder explained. 

While the caretakers made sure to create a safe haven for the cats, they still believe that the love these animals have yearned for their entire lives can only be truly fulfilled by the comfort of a permanent home and the warmth of a loving family. 

“We aspire to provide a safer environment for the cats—a paradise, not just a home. While they roam freely at CHR, we believe they can fully express their personalities and thrive within the right family setting. We also seek adopters who are financially capable of caring for our cats. As stray cats, they may have underlying health issues, and we want to ensure that their needs are adequately addressed,” the founder said. 

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“We also aim to find loving families for them, ones who possess the knowledge and experience in caring for cats or other animals, and who have a better understanding of cat behaviors,” she added. 

The profile of the cats up for adoption are posted on their Facebook page. Inquiries may also be made through the account.