Archer, the face of Professors for the Upliftment of Society’s Animals (PUSA), was one of the most recognizable cats on campus. Taking the form of an orange tabby, Archer was a cat known and loved by the whole Lasallian community; everyone was saddened the day Archer bade an early goodbye.
It was 1:30 in the morning and Dr. Laureen Velasco, one of the founders of PUSA, was unable to sleep, her heart and head restless from the telltale signs of a very special friend’s declining health. Archer had started to breathe through his nose and was staring blankly into space—never a good sign for a cat with health complications. At 2:37 am, the professor was alerted with a message from Ate Jenny, Archer’s appointed caretaker, “Wala na daw po, ma’am.”
(He is gone, ma’am.)
A bitter pill to swallow
Months prior, as Archer’s fatty liver normalized and pictures of him adjusting to his new home were posted on the PUSA Facebook page, the DLSU community remained hopeful that there was still a chance for the campus cat’s return. When Archer passed away, the professor describes how uncanny it was realizing Archer was gone. “We tried to revive him. But that’s it, no more,” she heartbreakingly says.
Velasco shares that they gave Archer’s belongings to his caretaker the day he passed. “Katabi niya (Ate Jenny) sa kama lahat ng gamit ni Archer. I think [out] of all of us, it’s Ate Jenny who [was] really having a hard time,” Velasco says.
(All of Archer’s belongings were beside her on the bed.)
The news of Archer’s death spread like wildfire with big media outlets such as the Philippine Daily Inquirer and GMA News TV picking up the story. Flooding Twitter and Facebook with farewell posts and pictures of Archer, people expressed the special place Archer had in their hearts.
All the campus cats who have found their home in the University have become such an integral part of the fabric of DLSU that the loss of one changes the whole Lasallian community.
Man’s other best friend
Much like Ate Jenny, a huge number of people revere the time they have spent and relationships formed with the cats of DLSU. Even though Archer represented PUSA, the organization continues to devote passion into caring for other animals. Dedicating their own time and effort are the volunteers of PUSA, called “PUSApporters”.
Abigail Azul (IX, PDLADPH), is one of the many PUSA volunteers in DLSU. “I liked animals before becoming a PUSApporter. When I saw the number of cats and how they [were] cared for in the campus, I wanted to help,” Azul says. On the other hand, Sam Zhang (II, BS-MGT) explains that he joined the organization because it was open to anyone interested and willing to help. “I like to understand and care for [things] other than myself,” he says.
The two volunteers paint a picture of the typical day of a PUSApporter. As early as 7 am, volunteers would start feeding the campus cats for the morning round. PUSA feeders also make sure the cats get enough food and water during the night round, which could last until 8 pm. “We try to accommodate each others’ availability and the more feeders we have, the less time it [takes] for us to [finish feeding] all the cats,” Azul explains.
Being students, Zhang and Azul are not strangers to the struggles of turbulent weather conditions and stressful commuting itineraries. When asked why they continue to do what they do despite the inconveniences and erratic schedule, Azul explains, “If you love an animal—or anything for that matter—despite all the obstacles you’re going to face, that love in itself enriches us [as people].”
A legacy to continue
“These animals don’t work for us, they [don’t] even thank us, [nor will tending to them] be good for a resume; but we make time for them—we pitch in what we can,” Azul states. Animal caretakers and lovers like Azul and Zhang act out of compassion and not for self-gain; they understand that these cats represent something bigger. They, along with all the other PUSApporters, are silent heroes—the ones ensuring the animals find a safe home within the University.
Zhang and Azul describe how PUSA has changed them as people—from distinguishing the cats’ different personalities to bravely standing up for the advocacy PUSA believes in. Zhang says, “I learned to be more gentle and understanding [toward] them.”
“It caused me to step up in [the] cases of animal abuse that I witness. A lot of people say ‘Pusa lang ‘yan’, but treating them with respect shows how much humanity we have [in] us left,” Azul states, emphasizing how heavy the crime of ignorance is. Archer was a beloved figure not just to the Lasallian community but to all those who found the feline’s story touching. Let Archer’s memory live on through our actions by extending kindness to all—whether human or not.
As an organization with a clear purpose and stand, PUSA continues to be special in the way it challenges our capacity to care—to show love for life forms around us, be it human or feline.
