MANILA — Every morning, while the city is still waking up, Cherrie Lyn Arcio rides her e-bike through the narrow streets of Manila with one mission: to find hungry stray dogs and cats who long for food and a touch of kindness.

For more than a year, she has been feeding them faithfully, using her own money earned from social media. Rain or shine, she never misses a day — because dozens of strays have already come to depend on her presence.

“They don’t have anyone else. Even just one meal and a little love means the world to them,” Cherrie shares.

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Not Alone in Her Mission

Cherrie is not the only one making a difference. Across the Philippines, similar acts of compassion have become a lifeline for strays:

• Erlinda Dela Cruz, 69, and her daughter Rhoda feed around 40 stray dogs and cats in Tondo, Manila, providing food and even care for the sick and injured.

• Maureen Lacida Claro (also known as Alexa Yna) has been using her own limited income to feed stray animals for years, posting online in the hope of attracting support.

• Rescue groups like Save ALL continue to organize feeding programs, medical assistance, and awareness campaigns for abandoned pets and street animals.

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Why It Matters

1. Reducing suffering – Stray animals often face hunger, disease, and injuries. Regular feeding helps ease their daily struggles.

2. Building compassion – Acts like Cherrie’s inspire others to care for forgotten animals and strengthen community bonds.

3. Protecting public health – Healthy, cared-for strays reduce the risk of disease transmission and improve urban sanitation.

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The Challenges

• Cost: Food, medicine, and basic care quickly add up, stretching the limits of personal finances.

• Weather: Rain and flooding make it harder to deliver food consistently.

• Limited support: Many individuals work alone with little or no backing from organizations.

• Social barriers: Feeding strays is sometimes frowned upon due to hygiene concerns, and during COVID-19 lockdowns, volunteers even faced questions from authorities while trying to feed animals.

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How We Can Help

• Donate pet food, water, bowls, or veterinary supplies to individuals and groups caring for strays.

• Share stories like Cherrie’s to raise awareness and inspire others.

• Support or volunteer with local rescue organizations to create long-term solutions such as feeding stations, vaccination, or spay-and-neuter campaigns.

• Help fund small community projects so caregivers don’t have to shoulder the financial burden alone.

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A Heartfelt Reminder

Cherrie Lyn Arcio’s story is proof that one person’s kindness can ripple outward, transforming countless lives — both human and animal. Thanks to her, many strays in Manila no longer wake up hungry. And thanks to her example, we are reminded that compassion, no matter how small, can change the world one act at a time.