John Arcilla calls for all pet crematoriums to be investigated: ‘Hindi ito overreaction’
After the public outcry on the recent discovery of animal remains in a vacant lot in Bulacan which was traced back to a pet crematorium in Bacoor, Cavite, pet owners and animal welfare advocates have been making a call for justice for over 25 animals found. This includes actor John Arcilla, who is a longtime fur parent to multiple dogs.
In his recent Instagram post, the talented actor demanded an that all pet crematoriums in the country undergo investigations to make sure that there are no anomalies in their business.
In his November 1 post, John wrote, “Lahat ng dogs ko were cremated after they crossed the rainbow bridge. Eleven na sila, and by God’s grace, they all passed away due to old age. Some got sick, but certainly because of old age as well. So, how can I confirm if all those urns contain the remains of my rightful furbabies? KAILANGAN ma-investigate lahat ng pet crematoriums at ma-double-check ang kanilang facilities kung able and capable ba silang mag-operate. Kung hindi at kahina-hinala ang kanilang operations, DAPAT IPA-CLOSE ITO, at makulong ang mga may pananagutan, kasama ang staff na mga accomplice.”
In the same post, John reiterated the need for further investigation into those kinds of businesses to alleviate any doubt and fear that pet owners may have about how their pet’s remains were truly handled.
“HINDI ITO OVERREACTION. We pay a good sum for these services, out of love for our pets, whom we consider members of our families. May mga crematorium na may sariling FARM LOTS, puwede sila maglibing doon at bigyan kami ng generic na abo, who would know. Sorry, hindi kami maghihinala kung walang nangyaring ganito. This is JOHN ARCILLA, one with fur parents who consider their pets part of the family.”
In an earlier post, John gave a glimpse of just how close his relationship is with his own pets, including his dog Punch who had accompanied him on a ride to the airport. He wrote, “Punch was extra cuddly. I have never, ever felt that kind of closeness from my big baby boy until then, while we were on our way to the airport. There is no doubt that he felt I was leaving and would be out of his sight for a long period of time.
“I never imagined this would feel this heavy. I never, ever expected this. Sabi ko na nga ba, ayaw ko siyang isama sa paghahatid sa akin sa airport. Itinawa ko na lang, pero it’s kinda emotional. Ayaw niyang umalis sa lap ko. Nakasubsob lang buong biyahe, and I could feel his melancholy. Iba yung latag ng katawan niya sa lap ko. His affection seemed to seep right into me, reaching a part of me I never expected he would be able to. Iba. May ganoon pala talaga? 🙁❤️”
Last August, John gave a glimpse on how he ended up with such a close affinity with animals, especially dogs.
“To all Furparents and those who wish to be one. All my life, I lived with dogs. Up to now, my Mother and Father’s voices still echo separately in my ears, sharing their own fond memories from different years about the dogs we had. My mother is 93 years old and, amazingly, can still perform her favorite speech, Tribute to a Dog by George Graham Vest. My family, from parents to kids, are dog lovers, but I never realized that I would love dogs deeply, more than how I simply cared about them when I was a kid, as companions, or simply as barkers just in case an intruder, a burglar, or some kind of small-time robber entered the vicinity of our property. Stories that sounded so typical back then, like how loyal our dog Brownie was, or how Spot would find refuge in our coconut plantation, 18 kilometers from my old folks’ house, when he turned emotionally sulky if he felt he was being reprimanded or so, feel so strangely amazing to me now.”
In the same post, the award-winning actor also emphasized the importance of responsible pet ownership. “I realized it is a responsibility that is not supposed to be treated as a burden, but as an advantage to both of you, like a real parent-child relationship. Which, if you don’t have the time or the stamina, should make you reconsider before getting one. Which made me reflect on why some couples deciding to have dogs instead of kids were taboo to me back then when I was a kid. But I now fully understand why, and it isn’t about being right or wrong; it’s a choice that deserves respect.
“Learning that nurturing dogs is ultimately comparable to a wife or a husband who decided to stay home to be a hands-on parent while the other spouse is working for the family, or will hire a nanny or assign their adult children so he or she can still pursue a career while being a Furparent, until the dog matures and graduates from his training stage or school, made me understand people’s choices more.
“It should actually be a cautious, if not a scary, decision. You will definitely spend funds, not just time, and after many losses of generations of dogs we had, you will have to train your emotions too because they will definitely just pass through your life for a short period of years, and it is not an easy moment to deal with. Never.
“Desiring to have a handsome, beautiful, or cute dog is acceptable, but giving birth to a decision of having one or a dozen is as vital as family planning.”