This story warms the heart. As animal lovers, we say it’s touching that Mazda Philippines is supporting PAWSsion Project and putting forward animal welfare—a cause we hope and pray for each day.

The goal of this partnership is to raise funds to provide vital care, rehabilitation, and enrichment of rescued animals, in addition to a long-term loan of a specially equipped BT-50 to support the foundation’s daily operations. The purpose-built pickup truck was designed and built in collaboration with founder Malou Perez.

PAWSsion Project is a nonprofit animal rescue organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming abused, abandoned, and neglected animals—a large extent from the streets as well as city pounds.

The organization was founded in October 2018, which started when Malou saved a number of dogs in Bacolod that were going to be put down. Since then, her passion and effort toward animal welfare have led to over 2,500 animals rescued, over 1,100 rehomed, and over 3,800 spayed and neutered.

PAWSsion Project runs two shelters, one in Bacolod and another in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, with a satellite shelter in Las Piñas—collectively home to over 640 rescues and counting.

In recognition of Malou’s enduring dedication, Mazda Philippines will donate P1,500 from the sale of every BT-50 (across all variants) to sponsor a rescue on behalf of each buyer. Every BT-50 purchase will also include a certificate, offering buyers the chance to adopt, donate further, or continue supporting the sponsored rescue.

Based on the BT-50 3.0L AT 4×2, the Mazda Philippines x PAWSsion Project BT-50 features graphics designed by local artist Jaykee Evangelista to help raise awareness about PAWSsion Project and its cause.

The pickup’s one-ton payload capacity, along with an aluminum canopy, will be useful, protecting cargo like crates, food, medicine, as well as donated items and supplies.

Inside, a cargo-bed sliding tray was incorporated, making it more convenient for volunteers to load and unload cargo without having to enter the enclosed bed. The BT-50’s standard tailgate assist feature will also be a plus.

The PAWSsion Project BT-50 comes with waterproof vinyl seat covers, featuring a taped-stitching process, which is applied to motorcycle seats to make them waterproof. This way, the truck’s seats can be cleaned easily. Meanwhile, storage compartments underneath the rear bench are handy for essentials such as water, food, and medicines for rescues.

And with a 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine, a high-tensile frame, and 800mm water-wading capability, the BT-50 is the ideal utility vehicle for an animal-rescue foundation.

“Mazda Philippines’ partnership with PAWSsion Project continues to show that mobility can be purposeful, and that every drive has the power to make a difference,” Mazda Philippines president Steven Tan said. “Malou Perez and her unwavering passion to help all these abused and neglected animals are an inspiration, and it is something we recognize.”

Mazda Philippines’ partnership with PAWSsion Project highlights its ongoing commitment to social responsibility and animal welfare. It began in 2020 through a partnership with the Katala Foundation, a Palawan-based organization devoted to protecting the Philippine Pangolin (Manis culionensis). The Katala Foundation has focused on restoring the pangolin’s natural habitat and leading conservation initiatives to raise awareness and prevent illegal poaching.

If you’re interested in adopting, sponsoring, donating, volunteering, or advocating, you can learn more by visiting this website.