29 Dead Pets Dumped in Vacant Lot Spark Suspicions Against Cremation Provider

(SPOT.ph) For pet owners, losing a beloved dog or cat is already heartbreaking enough. Now imagine finding out that the pet you paid to have cremated may have ended up in a vacant lot instead.

That's the disturbing possibility behind a controversy that gained attention on October 31 after 29 dead dogs and cats were found dumped in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. Some of the animals were placed in plastic bags labeled with their names and weights—and at least seven pet owners have reportedly recognized their dogs' information, even though they had already paid for cremation.

Also read: 10 Pet Cremation and Memorial Services in the Philippines

The incident first came to light through Luna and Furry Siblings, a Facebook page whose volunteers investigated a strong smell of decomposition coming from a vacant lot in San Jose del Monte.

According to them, a barangay vehicle was already at the scene when they arrived. Nearby residents said five large sacks containing the animals had been left in the area for around three days. What they found was disturbing: 26 dead dogs and 3 cats. Some appeared to be purebred animals.

Trigger warning: The following photos contain unblurred images of deceased animals that some readers may find disturbing.

Luna and Furry Siblings noted that this was not the first time a large number of animals had been dumped in this vacant lot.

Among the first animals discovered was a dog whose bag was labeled "Ivy – 14.6 kg." The details caught the attention of pet owner Ceejae Perez, whose dog Ivy had died just days earlier on October 23.

Perez shared in a Facebook post on October 31 that the family entrusted Ivy's remains to Ahjay Paws Aftercare, a pet cremation provider operating in Bacoor, Cavite. Later, they received an urn bearing Ivy's name.

However, after photos of the dead animals circulated on social media, Perez spotted a familiar name and weight on one of the bags. Both matched the details of Ivy that the family had shared with the cremation provider.

The apparent match has left the family questioning whether Ivy was ever cremated—and, if not, what was actually inside the urn they received. Other pet owners who also entrusted their dogs to AhJay Paws Aftercare have since come forward on Facebook, claiming to have matched Max, Lian, King, and Snowy to the remains found in Bulacan.

The Facebook page of Ahjay Paws Aftercare has since been deactivated.

Luna and Furry Siblings is asking pet owners who recently lost a dog or cat, arranged for euthanasia, surrendered an animal, or paid for cremation or other aftercare services to check the names and weights found on the bags.

They have released the following details to help identify the animals.

Dogs:

• Sakura – 14.5 kg

• Sweet – 14.8 kg

• Brandon – 28.4 kg

• Brandon – 29.9 kg (listed as a separate dog)

• Dara – weight not specified

• Red – 3.8 kg

• Dos – 2.5 kg

• Ivy – 14.6 kg

• Jedy – 2.14 kg

• Crunch – 20.1 kg

• Akira – 18.1 kg

• Jennifer – 3.5 kg

Cats:

• Ira – calico cat

• Lucky – 2.4 kg, black cat

• Chelsea – 2.2 kg

Anyone who recognizes a name can contact Luna and Furry Siblings at 0960-694-4730.

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has also urged pet owners who suspect they were deceived by a cremation service to consider pursuing legal action.

In a statement, PAWS explained that dumping animals that had already died would not necessarily violate the Animal Welfare Act. However, if a pet cremation provider collected payment without actually performing the service, it could be considered estafa under Article 315(2)(a) of the Revised Penal Code.

Affected owners are urged to keep receipts, cremation certificates, photographs, messages, and other documents that could help establish what happened to their pets.

Meanwhile, Aeternal Paws is offering free cremation services, while Pets in Peace is offering free aquamation, a water-based alternative to cremation. Both providers are hoping to reach the families to help give their pets a proper farewell.

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