For many, coming home means being greeted by wagging tails, soft purrs, or the quiet presence of more unusual but very much loved animal companions.
April is the month that celebrates pet parents, so let us look at the lives of some of the country’s biggest celebrities who are devoted pet parents, showing that their love for animals is just as big as their star power.
Kim Atienza
Aside from being a knowledge enthusiast widely recognized for sharing fun facts with the public, Kuya Kim has long been known as a passionate pet lover.
He is a pet parent to several animals, including 51 dogs, most of whom are rescues. He also has turtles, tortoises, koi fish, Macaw birds, and iguanas, among others.
His deep love for both knowledge and animals is also reflected in his work. For more than a decade, he hosted the educational program Matanglawin on ABS-CBN, where he focused on science, nature, and culture, earning multiple awards throughout its run.
Kathryn Bernardo
Asia's Superstar proudly wears the title of being a fur mom, caring for several beloved dogs. Among them are Cloud (a Golden Retriever and Pomeranian mix) and Snowy (a white Bichon Frise). She has three other dogs named Tala, Bella, and Pablo.
Kathryn frequently shares heartwarming moments with her pets on Instagram and has even included them in her tapings and advertisements, showcasing how seamlessly they integrate with her personal and professional life.
Jodi Sta. Maria
The Midnight Girls star has built a growing fur family through adoption, reflecting her strong advocacy for animal welfare.
In 2023, she welcomed Naia, a stray cat named after the Ninoy Aquino International Airport where the animal was found. In 2024, she adopted black aspin Lily, and also took in Zandro (whom she calls Z) while taping for the series Lavender Fields. By December 2025, she welcomed Putol, an aspin she would always see on the CCTV of her house playing with her other dogs in the morning and sleeping alone at night after scavenging for food.
Jodi has long been vocal about adoption. In a People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) advertisement, Jodi expressed the need for proper education when it comes to pet adoption.
“Hindi lahat aware na mayroon tayong animal homelessness crisis dito sa Philippines. But I feel with proper education and also if we raise awareness, then the animal homelessness crisis will be addressed,” she said.
Coco Martin
The FPJ‘s Batang Quiapo lead star is undeniably a devoted animal lover who cares for a diverse range of pets. He owns several dogs of various breeds, including a Belgian Malinois and a bulldog. His home also houses parrots and cockatoos.
A glimpse into his social media reveals how much he cherishes his pets. Coco often spends quality time with them, walking his dogs around their home and garden.
Alexa Ilacad
Alexa’s love for animals extends beyond her own pets to rescued strays. Aside from her dogs, she cares for two cats: Chill, a fluffy white Persian cat who has been with her since 2019, and Doja, a rescued white puspin she adopted in 2021.
Her compassion has been evident through the years. She spent her 18th birthday in 2018 with rescued cats and dogs and was recently seen feeding stray cats outside the Pinoy Big Brother house. For years, Alexa has also been advocating for helping animal shelters.
Mikey Bustos
Mikey surprised many when he revealed himself as the man behind the popular ant-keeping platform AntsCanada.
Based in the Philippines, he is known for producing cinematic documentaries of ant colonies housed in intricate, large-scale, self-sustaining tropical vivariums.
Beyond ants, Mikey keeps a wide range of animals in what he calls the Mabuhay Squad. His pets have included dogs, an African Grey parrot, goats, and exotic reptiles like the green tree python named Valentino, among many others.
From rescue stories to raising awareness, these celebrities show that being a pet parent is a meaningful commitment filled with compassion and care. This National Pet Parents Day, their stories serve as an inspiration to celebrate not just the joy pets bring, but also the responsibility of giving them the life they deserve.