Joseph Marco has become the Philippines' most unlikely animal welfare hero. Known to fans as the "hot cat daddy," the Filipino actor has rescued 19 stray animals and partnered with PAWS and OWNDAYS Philippines to fund spay-and-neuter programs and stray feeding drives across the country.
The voice for the voiceless
Marco firmly believes that since animals cannot speak for themselves, humanity must be their voice. That philosophy drives every rescue, every feeding run, and every public appearance he makes on behalf of the Philippines' stray population. In a country where thousands of cats and dogs live on the streets of Metro Manila alone, his platform reaches millions — and he uses it to push one clear message: adopt, don't shop.
From Makati alleys to viral praise: the Maxik rescue
Before Cosmo, there was Maxik. In 2023, Marco found the wounded, bleeding cat in a Makati alley after the animal had been hit by a car. Maxik suffered a deep leg injury and would have died without intervention. Marco took him to the vet, paid for treatment, and nursed him back to full health. The story spread across Philippine social media, earning Marco widespread praise and introducing many Filipinos to the reality of stray animal suffering.
That rescue turned private kindness into a public mission.
Cosmo and the growing family
Marco's most recent adoption, Cosmo, joined a household that now cares for 19 rescued animals. Each one came from a similar story — abandonment, injury, or life on the streets of the Philippines. Marco custom-built a "catio," an outdoor cat patio at his home, to give his rescues safe room to roam. Most of his rescues are also spayed or neutered — a practice known locally as "kapon."
The Cat House: a birthday with purpose
For his 37th birthday, Marco skipped the celebrity party. Instead, he celebrated at The Cat House, a rescue shelter in Cavite that cares for stray and abandoned cats. He arrived with his fan club carrying boxes of pet food and cleaning supplies the shelter actually uses.
The visit stocked the shelter and put Marco's profile behind a cause that rarely makes headlines.
OWNDAYS Cases for Change
Marco shared his latest rescue story at the OWNDAYS Cases for Change launch event in Mandaluyong City. The annual campaign by Japanese eyewear brand OWNDAYS Philippines designs limited-edition eyewear cases, with all proceeds donated to partner organizations. Its animal welfare branch works alongside the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), funding low-cost spay-and-neuter programs, stray animal feeding initiatives, and legal battles against animal abusers across the Philippines.
Marco showed up to put his name behind the fundraising — exactly the kind of attention PAWS needs to keep its clinics running.
Why celebrity advocacy matters for stray animals
The Philippines has a stray animal problem. Thousands of cats and dogs live without reliable food, veterinary care, or shelter, particularly in dense urban areas like Metro Manila. Organizations like PAWS work on spay-and-neuter programs, rescue operations, and public education — but they need public awareness and funding to keep going.
When a public figure like Joseph Marco uses his platform to normalize adoption, promote spay-and-neuter practices, and direct attention to shelters like The Cat House, it makes adoption feel normal. His "hot cat daddy" nickname, coined by fans, has stuck — people now associate it with rescue work, not just celebrity.
How you can help stray animals in the Philippines
- Adopt, don't shop. Local shelters like The Cat House in Cavite have animals waiting for homes.
- Support spay-and-neuter programs. These reduce the stray population humanely over time. PAWS runs low-cost clinics across the Philippines.
- Donate supplies. Shelters consistently need food, cleaning materials, and medical funds.
- Report injured animals. A quick call to a local rescue group can save an animal's life — the same way Marco saved Maxik.
- Amplify the message. Sharing rescue stories makes it normal to talk about stray animals as worth caring for.
If a rescue animal in your life needs support, ask a veterinarian about low-cost spay-and-neuter options and local shelter resources.