LIST: Pinoy personalities with a houseful of cats
As sassy as they are sweet, cats are just those animals that you cannot resist once they purr their way into your life. And when cared for the right way, they can become the most loyal companion—and even become part of the family.
Many Filipino celebrities have found themselves in a similar situation. What started with one rescue cat or a single kitten has grown into a full-blown feline family. Now, they are proud furparents to a large clan of cats. Check them out below.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros
Senator Risa Hontiveros is as affectionate—and fierce—at the Senate as she is at home, where she cares for her resident and rescue cats.
In a 2021 vlog, she and her daughter Helena introduced six out of their 17 felines. Helena was the one who adopted most of the cats for the past few years, while Hontiveros cared for them at home when she could.
Fun fact: Hontiveros' aunt, Nita Hontiveros-Lichauco, was one of the first few volunteers at the Philippine Animal Welfare Society and became its president.
Joey Mead King
Filipino personality Joey Mead King has long been an advocate for animal welfare as an ambassador to the PAWS pro-cat campaign in 2015. She was also given a Platinum Paw Award during PAWS’ 70th anniversary celebration.
"I love how cats are so independent. They're low maintenance and I think, mostly, I love that cats come to you when they want—you actually feel more special,” she said in an ad for the organization.
She and her wife, Angelina Mead King, have rescued 15 pets—a mix of cats and dogs—in the past.
Jelai Andres
From her posts alone, you can tell that influencer Jelai Andres loves to have her fur babies around her.
Known for having more than 10 pets, Jelai also actively adopts stray cats. In fact, one of her cats is named Shawarma because she found her in front of a shawarma place. She also regularly visits the PAWSsion Project Shelter to feed cats and dogs and donate pet supplies.
Paolo Ballesteros
Television host Paolo Ballesteros, who has owned numerous cats since 2018, often features them on his Instagram.
In 2021, he mourned the passing of his pet named Louie on the app, with a caption, “14 minus 1, plus 2 new kutings. Bye, Louie. I love you.”
Arci Muñoz
Apart from being an anime and K-pop fan, actress Arci Muñoz also shows her love for pets as a furmom to 18 cats as of 2020. When she dresses up or cosplays, she makes sure to include them in the fun.
Previously, Arci shared that she talks to them when she’s down. She added, “Nagbibigay talaga sila ng some kind of happiness and comfort.”
Jane de Leon
Despite being scratched by a cat as a child, leaving a visible scar on her cheek, Jane de Leon still adores animals.
In a 2022 vlog, the Darna actress revealed that she initially had 20 cats under her care, but was reduced to 14 after rehoming some of them. All of their names start with the letter “M,” like Mowgli, Mallows, Maxine, Mia, and more.
Besides cats, she also shelters a variety of animals, including dogs, birds, and rabbits.
