Dogs and Cats Are Not Food: A Call to End Animal Cruelty in the Philippines

As an animal advocate, I have always loved animals deeply. Since I was a young girl, I have cared for many different types of animals. I had turtles, fish, birds, and even rabbits. But no matter what animals I had, dogs and cats were always a part of my life. They are not just animals to me—they are family, companions, and a source of unconditional love.

Dogs and cats are very special creatures. They have emotions, they feel pain, and they show affection. They give us comfort during difficult times and bring us happiness with their presence. These animals were created by God to be our helpers and companions, not for us to harm or eat.

Sadly, in many Asian countries, including China and the Philippines, the practice of eating dogs and cats still happens today. China is known to be the largest consumer of dog and cat meat. And in the Philippines, especially in certain provinces, the practice of eating dogs is still active. This tradition is not only immoral—it is disgusting and cruel. It goes against God’s command to treat His creatures with love and care.

Dogs and Cats Are Not Food

In many parts of the world, people already understand that dogs and cats are not meant to be food. They are house pets. They are part of the family. Eating them is not only inhumane—it is repulsive and goes against the natural role that God gave them.

Imagine eating your own pet. A dog that greets you every day when you come home, or a cat that curls up beside you to sleep. These animals trust us. They depend on us. They should never be betrayed in such a horrifying way.

God's Word About Caring for Animals

The Bible teaches us to take care of animals and treat them with kindness. Proverbs 12:10 says,

“A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.”

This verse is very clear. A good and righteous person is someone who takes care of animals. If we are cruel to them, then we are not acting in the way God wants us to.

God also made a covenant with animals, not just humans. In Genesis 9:9-10, after the great flood, God said:

“I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals…”

This shows that animals are important to God. They are part of His creation and His promises. If God values animals, then we must value them too.

Eating Dogs and Cats Is Against God's Will

While the Bible does not name dogs and cats specifically as “not to be eaten,” it clearly lists unclean animals in the Old Testament, and dogs are among them. In Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, God gave dietary laws to the Israelites. These laws were given to separate clean animals from unclean animals.

Dogs and cats were never listed as clean animals. In fact, dogs are often mentioned in the Bible as animals that roam the streets or eat what is left over—not as food. In Revelation 22:15, dogs are even used symbolically to represent unholy things:

“Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters…”

Although this verse uses the word "dogs" symbolically, it shows that dogs were not seen as holy or acceptable for consumption.

Philippians 3:2 also warns us:

“Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!”

In this context, dogs are seen as something unclean or symbolic of wrong behavior. If dogs were holy and acceptable for food, the Bible would not describe them this way.

The Practice Must End in the Philippines

In the Philippines, the Dog Meat Trade still happens, especially in certain rural provinces. It is illegal under the Animal Welfare Act, yet it continues secretly. Dogs are captured in cruel ways, transported without food or water, and slaughtered in horrible conditions. These dogs often come from the streets, stolen from homes, or raised in unsanitary places just to be killed for meat.

It is heartbreaking and disgusting. It is not part of a "culture" that we should be proud of. It is a crime against innocent animals and a sin against God’s creation.

As Filipinos, we should be known for being kind, loving, and faithful. We are a Christian country. How can we continue to allow such cruelty when we claim to follow God?

Romans 12:2 says,

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

Just because something has been done for many years doesn’t mean it is right. If a practice is evil, it must stop—even if it has become part of a tradition.

We Must Speak Up

As animal lovers, pet owners, and followers of Christ, we must speak up. We must educate others. We must show compassion and help the animals that have no voice. The Bible says in Proverbs 31:8,

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.”

Dogs and cats cannot speak. But we can. We can speak for them. We can be their voice. We can stop the cruelty. We can report those who harm animals. We can adopt instead of buying. We can volunteer in animal shelters. And most of all, we can educate people that eating dogs and cats is not only a sin against animals—it is a sin against God.

A Prayer for the Animals

Let us pray:

Dear Lord,
You created all living things with love and purpose. You gave us animals to be our friends, our helpers, and our family. Forgive us for the ways we have mistreated them. Open the eyes of people in the Philippines and all around the world who still eat dogs and cats. Change their hearts. Let your Holy Spirit lead them to love and protect these precious creatures. May we all live in a way that honors Your creation. Amen.

Final Words

Dogs and cats are not food. They are family. They are gifts from God. If we truly love God, we must also love His creation. Let’s stop this disgusting, immoral practice in the Philippines and beyond. Let’s build a kinder world—one where no dog or cat has to live in fear of being eaten.

Let us follow the command in Ecclesiastes 12:13:

“Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”

And one of His commandments is clear—to love, to show mercy, and to do what is right. Eating dogs and cats is not right. And it must stop now.