Shaira Luna is known in the local scene for her unique photo-taking style. Her images always evoke a sense of raw joy, playfulness, and whimsy. Filipino muses, celebrities, and even international stars have posed in front of her camera. But in her latest works, the Filipino lenswoman captures different subjects with a mission to find furry friends families that will welcome them.
Together with pet wellness brand Dr. Shiba, Shaira took photos of select dogs and cats from the Pawssion Project's shelter for a campaign dubbed “Day in Their Forever Home.” The initiative captures these animals outside their usual environment, allowing their true personalities to shine. The photoshoot took place at Casa Estrella Private Resort in Bulacan, which was transformed into a temporary home for these animals.
“Projects like this are close to my heart. I have nine dogs of my own, including one I recently adopted,” Shaira tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. “When Dr. Shiba approached me with this idea, I jumped at the chance to be part of this project. I’m hoping our campaign can help change perceptions about shelter animals. They’re all so beautiful and loving, so I hope we’re able to help find them their forever homes.”
“We're aiming for a ripple effect here. Aside from helping more shelter animals at the Pawssion Project get adopted, we wanted to go beyond that and really change the conversation around shelter animals,” Philipp Renner, CEO of Dr. Shiba, adds. “By showcasing these pets in a home-like setting through Shaira’s lens, we're hoping people will see them differently—not as 'shelter animals,' but as potential family members just waiting for their chance. We want to open more hearts and minds to the idea that a perfect pet might be waiting at a shelter, not a pet store.”
For Shaira, the experience was unlike any other she had done before. During the process, she imagined the animals being her own pets, running around freely or just relaxing in a corner. Her images highlight how these shelter animals are hungry for love and how much happiness they can bring to those who adopt them.
“Projects like this are close to my heart. I have nine dogs of my own, including one I recently adopted,” she says. “I jumped at the chance to be part of this project. I’m hoping our campaign can help change perceptions about shelter animals.”
One of the campaign’s key goals is to shed light on the Pawssion Project’s Senior Dog Program. It aims to provide specialized care and attention to older dogs like Lolo Simba. This initiative will offer sponsorship opportunities, allowing supporters to contribute to the medical care, special diets, and comfort of senior dogs. While not all senior dogs are up for adoption, the program gives them opportunities to enjoy fun days outside the shelter. It also includes "weekend excursions," where approved volunteers can take senior dogs on short trips, providing them with new experiences and social interactions in their golden years.
“One big misconception is that shelter animals are somehow ‘damaged’ or less lovable,” says Malou Perez, founder of Pawssion Project. “Senior pets are often overlooked, but they can be amazing companions. They're usually calmer, and their personalities are already developed, so you know exactly what you're getting.”
Much like other animal welfare organizations, the Pawssion Project receives numerous reports and rescues every week, and it can only handle so much. One of its biggest challenges is capacity, as there are so many animals in need of medical care and operations. People can help the organization achieve its goals by adopting, fostering, or sponsoring a pet.
“Even sharing our posts or campaigns, like this one with Dr. Shiba and Shaira, helps spread awareness and can lead to more adoptions,” Malou says. “We love our rescues like our own children, so we make sure they go to the best homes—people who will never abandon them and who will treat them like family. What we're really looking for is a lifetime commitment to consider our rescues as part of the family, ensuring their well-being and providing a loving environment for life.”
To learn more about adopting a pet or supporting the Pawssion Project's senior pet program, visit dr-shiba.com/pages/foreverhomecampaign.