A delivery rider has gone viral for using his customer tips to buy food for stray cats and dogs.
Benj Paz, a rider for Grab, said he saves the tips he receives from customers to help feed stray animals he encounters on the road
He said he usually buys inexpensive cat and dog food from the wet market.
“Kahit papano, may mapakain lang ako sa mga stray dogs and cats,” Paz shared with the Philippine STAR.
He said he makes sure he keeps cat and dog food in his motorcycle compartment before starting his shift.
Paz shared that he usually travels around Marikina, Quezon City, Katipunan, Cubao, Cainta, along Marcos Highway in Antipolo and Pasig City.
He also said that some stray animals approach him after deliveries, as if they can smell the food he carries.
“Minsan umaabot sa four kilos ‘yung napapakain ko sa mga aso eh. Talagang gutom na gutom po sila eh. Uhaw na uhaw ‘yung mga dog kasi sobrang init ng panahon,” the rider said.
“Ayun, masaya naman tsaka masarap sa pakiramdam kasi nabubusog eh,” Paz added.
He said he started the initiative after he lost his pet dog, an aspin named Echo, last January.
Paz shared that he redirected his love for his pet to the stray animals he sees on the streets following Echo’s passing.
“Dun gumaan ‘yung pakiramdam ko sa mga asong pagala-gala na lang,” he said.
Meanwhile, Paz’s initiative drew positive reactions from Filipinos online, with some expressing hope that others would also show kindness to stray animals.
“Ganito dapat ang dumami pa sana sa mundo, hindi ‘yung mapanakit sa mga aso’t pusa. God bless you, sir, at sa lahat ng mga pet lover out there,” a Facebook user said.
“Sana lahat tayo mag-effort na mag-feed ng stray. Isa o dalawa na madaanan, napakalaking bagay na po,” another commente said.
“Kudos to you, Kuya! May the Lord pour blessings upon you. Sana marami pa po ang ma-inspire sa inyo na maging mabuti sa mga animals, especially sa mga strays,” a different Pinoy said.
As of 2025, the Mars Petcare Pet Homelessness Project estimates that there are about 13.11 million stray cats and dogs in the country.
