By Zia Santos, Arrianna Taclas, and Louella Unilongo
Not all cats have warm homes to come to. But 27 cats have found a forever home in one loving house on Mankor Street.
Frances French, a 24-year-old fur parent of not one, not two, but 27 cats, has never dismissed a stray kitten in need — not even once.
It all started with her first feline pet, Harith, whom she got from her friend in 2020 and named after her favorite mobile game character.
But just like what people say, if you love something, you get it in every color.
And that she did.
‘Dahil sa sobrang napamahal kami at nahilig sa mga pusa ng buong family ko, naging ugali namin na kapag may nakikitang stray kitten ay inuuwi namin,”
After Harith came along another lucky cat whom Frances’ brother picked up. Then came Sisig who was given by a neighbor. Just like how life comes full circle, Frances once again adopted Harith’s feline sibling.
Frances has never dismissed kittens who are in need of a forever home — not even once. Next thing she knew, 27 cats now wander their home.
Wanted: Loving Home
Stray cats either find themselves in loving homes like Frances’, or pounds to wait for someone to offer theirs.
“Six kami sa family ko, lahat kami may naiuwi ng pusa,” Frances said. “Hindi kasi namin kaya makakita ng stray kitten na kawawa sa labas tapos iiwan lang namin,”.
However, not all cats have been lucky enough to stumble upon a family as welcoming as Frances’.
In 2019 alone, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) estimated that there are 12 million stray animals in the country.
Might as she was, Frances still knew that saving all of them does not have a cat in hell’s chance.
“Basta masaya ako sa mga pusa na mayroon ako ngayon.” She said. “Hindi kasi ako bumibili ng pusa nagaadopt lang ako ng mga stray, kaya hindi “planado” ‘yung mga pusa ko. Talagang dumadating lang sila sa buhay namin,”
All in one: Pets to Heroes
A man’s best friend. Most may think instantly of dogs, but to Frances, her little hero fur-mily is her soulmate, wherein she learned lifelong lessons that can not be acquired from other hoomans.
“Parang may naiinvoke sila na ugali, personality o talent ko na hindi ko naman alam na meron ako, nadiscover ko lang dahil sa pagaalaga ko ng pusa,” she said.
Respecting boundaries — one of the traits she learned from her cats and by far her favorite. “Ang mga pusa pag gusto nila, gusto nila. ‘Pag ayaw nila, ayaw nila,” she said.
“Bilang tao, ganun na din ako… alam ko kung hanggang saan ‘yung kaya ko itolerate, at kung kailan ako aayaw … katulad ng pusa ko, firm ako sa mga gusto at ayaw ko.”
Furthermore, as she struggles with her mental health, the cat owner also sees her fur babies as her getaway from reality, wherein she jokingly labeled them as her “anti-depressants.”
An Australian study shows that cat owners have better psychological beings wherein they feel happy and confident whenever their cats are around.
A Choice of Responsibility out of Fondess
The cat owner shared how the family changed their perspectives on caring for cats, especially strays.
“Akala nga ng iba, porket madami kaming pusa, hindi na namin natatandaan lahat,” Frances said. “Pero ang totoo, may iba’t ibang bonding kami sa bawat pusa, kasi iba’t iba rin yung mga ugali nila.”
Not only does Frances provide for their necessities, but she also has legal ownership of all 27 cats and takes each of them to the vet to ensure their health and the safety of their entire family.
This huge responsibility was never a problem for Frances.
“Choice ko na ampunin at buhayin sila kaya responsibilidad ko na gumawa ng paraan kung paano ko sila bubuhayin,” she said.
“Sabi ko nga sa pets mo mararamdaman yung totoong pagmamahal. Yung talagang willing ka ibigay lahat kahit walang kapalit… pero ang totoo kasi, yung pets din natin yung mga nagliligtas satin.”
With the huge clowder of feline companions filling their home with purrs, Frances dreamed of building a sanctuary for cats but thought it impossible to achieve.
‘Malas. Maldita. Madumi. Mabaho.’
Though many misconceptions about cats exist, Frances does not let these labels stop her and her family from taking them into their loving home.
Not all cats have warm homes to come to. But Frances’ home to 27 cats is still open to welcome more.
Zia, Arianna, and Louella are incoming 4th-year Journalism students from the University of Santo Tomas and are currently taking up their internship at Manila Standard.
