It seems that the beginning of Lunar New Year isn’t for Shangri-La The Fort, the luxury 5-star resort located at Bonifacio Global City.
News over the internet community has circulated that our beloved #catsofBGC was eradicated by the hotel management and called a pest control company, and removed our beloved cats... like a thief of the night.
Me during my visit in October 2017, see my story here.
Last February 14th it was reported on Facebook that a total of 38 cats (few of them are still pregnant cats) are suddenly missing. These cats are living freely in the park of Ayala property One Bonifacio High Street Part next to Shangri-La The Fort hotel and commercial building, and these cats are no ordinary fellas. They are loved by the community, by the people who lives and works near the area, fed them and keep them safe, and there are animal advocate groups who help to give the vaccine and neuter them.
It was reported online by the animal-lovers community that the management of Shangri-la The Fort hired a pest-control company, PestBust Philippines to remove the cats.
I am one of the many people who are feel blessed each time I visit them after my work. They give unexplainable relief and happiness.
As of this writing, the hotel’s Facebook page is continuously being fired by the lowest rating score ever, and the animal-lover community is getting furious. As of this publishing, Shangri-La The Fort Facebook page have the lowest rating of 2.2 stars, having over 3,600K 1-star ratings, the worst ratings in Shangri-La hotels history.
Update today, February 21, 10:19AM: Shangri-La The Fort rating is now sinking to 1.8 stars on their Facebook Page.
The hotel management has issued a statement on their Facebook page, but the people are not into it.
There is still the huge question
Where are the #CatsofBGC
People are furious and keeping on sharing their sentiments on social media. I took the liberty to screenshot some of the comments and reviews of many concerned citizens.
The locals and even the expat community that surrounds the area so furious about what happened.
And yeah, the Facebook ratings are getting hurt badly, so as their Tripadvisor ratings.
The bad reviews are kept on flowing like lava and there is no sign of stopping. Unfortunately, last night it was reported by many concerned animal lovers that their reviews on Shangri-la The Fort Facebook page are gone missing. Turns out, it seems that Shangri-La has started deleting and blocking Facebook accounts that give bad reviews related to the missing cats.
So is this how the 5-star hotel awesome move to get away with the issue?
They just made the people more furiously angry.
Yesterday, the 18th of February Shangri-La The Fort released a new statement on their Facebook account.
This statement garnered 2,100k reactions and comments from the furious netizens. Tsk Tsk.
Those cats are a huge deal for us… for me because they gave us happiness and they are part of the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) Community, they are FAMILY.
What the hotel management did is a clear violation of the Philippines's Animal Welfare Act.
UPDATE, February 21, 10:21AM:Still, Shangri-La The Fort can't provide us the PROOF OF LIFE (photos or videos) if their employees truly adopted these cats. The community is furious and we are not stopping until this hotel management pays the damages.
******
UPDATE, February 22, 2018, at 01:35PM - Below is the latest update by CARA Welfare Philippines, the non-profit organization that helps to secure the animals here in the Philippines.
Turns out SHANGRI-LA AT THE FORT LIED!!!
Source: CARA Welfare Philippine Facebook
This will be a big fight, and I doubt that the animal lover community will just brush this off.
Shangri-La The Fort, good luck to you.
Shangri-La The Fort, good luck to you.
Because we animal-lovers believe in huge KARMA on hurting innocent animals.
How about you? How much do you care for your pets and animals around you?
xoxo, Blair
Wow! This is crazy! These poor animals. I hope they receive some
ReplyDeleteType of Justice!
Yes I agree. Our cat community is now active to recall those cats that are allegedly relocated to other places. Places that God who knows how they can survive, knowing that these are no street cats.
DeleteOh my goodness, this is crazy. Cats are so sweet and didn't deserve this. We are big cat lovers in this house and so against what they did!
ReplyDeleteCats, dogs or any animals. Humans have no right to harm them! The backlash still continues, as this hotel can't tell EXACTLY what happened to those cats.
DeleteI always loved having cats growing up. My daughter wants a cat for her birthday. We are still undecided but are a huge fan of cats so I'm sure someday soon.
ReplyDeleteThey are loving (though sometimes bitchy) but that's their nature. These park cats gives delight, hope, happiness, etc. to all of us in the community.
Deletei hate those companies!! what harm do the cats do to them??? i really hope people do adopt them its sad when animals are on the street they deserve love and a home
ReplyDeleteSo true. But most of these are too old to be adopted. They are already used to the place. Many condo dwellers can't adopt pets due to building policies. That's why we in the community are finding other options that they live happily.
DeleteThe young ones are easily adopted.
Wow! It seems that the hotel took great care not to harm the cats. But perhaps the underestimated how much others really liked them. Hope it all gets sorted out soon.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Shangri-La The Fort should expedite their solutions because its hurting them.
DeleteOh my gosh, how awful! I can't imagine a hotel or anyone for that matter doing something so awful.
ReplyDeleteTrue. I personally can't support a business that hurts animals. How much more they can do? Can we trust our little kids staying at their hotel???
DeleteGlad to hear that the cats are safe. That sure is a lot of cats!
ReplyDeleteNo. We are not sure they are safe because they are dumped somewhere else. Who knows if the people in those areas also cared to them.
DeleteI guess they didn't want to be used as a litter box anymore. LOL. Kidding aside, I think Shangri-la The Fort overstepped their boundaries. I mean these animals aren't roaches for them to call pest control. They could have just made an event for people to adopt the cats. It would have been good PR to sponsor a "adopt a cat" activity- like hotel with a heart kind of thing.
ReplyDeleteYeah, and that is what Shangri-La missed. Now, I wonder if they can easily recover on this backlash. People in the community hard to forget. Unless they work hard on it.
DeleteOh my gosh if they have been doing this it is absolutely awful! I just don't know what to say it is so sad.
ReplyDeletethis is so tearful to write.
DeleteAww, I love cats so this is such a sad story. A similar thing happened in my city a few years ago where they shut down a stray cat sanctuary :(
ReplyDeleteyeah this is so heartbreaking. I do hope they will be save but since they are relocated, I have doubts about it.
DeleteWow, I’m a cat lover, too. Now I’m mad and I live in the US. I don’t think they let cats have a colony here. Wish they did!
ReplyDeleteJust because a few, high profile residents of the hotel complain, doesn't mean they have to eradicate them all. This is cruelty!
DeleteThis is a crazy situation! I hadn't heard of it, but I can see both sides. As long as the cats were adopted to loving homes, i think it makes sense for the hotel to try to handle the cat situation.
ReplyDeleteYeah, apparently the hotel can't provide proof that their employees adopted them. Now they are in huge problem. The pest control company that they hired is not cooperating either.
DeleteSo sorry they removed the cats! I absolutely love that last photo of you with the calico one. So cute.
ReplyDeleteYeah and she was gone!
DeleteAs an animal lover myself, I can understand that there really is a no-win situation for the hotel to be in this position. However, yeah, they could have handled the cats in a better way.
ReplyDeleteIn the first place, if they didn't touched them, there should be no problem.
DeleteThis may be the craziest blog post I've come across today! It's amazing how the community has rallied so quickly!
ReplyDeleteI know right!
DeleteThe Shangri-La business is hurting badly. This afternoon I visited the area and talked with the guard of the park. He said that the restaurants next to the park (these restaurants are tenants of Shangri-La) have no customers coming-in for three days now, ever since this fiasco arise.
It seems like NO CATS, NO CUSTOMERS is happening.
This is crazy glad the cats are ok!
ReplyDeleteHello Michael,
DeleteNope, they are not okay. It is not yet truly sure if they are truly adopted, or just a publicity stunt.
I loves cat!! The hotels cannot do it like that. But glad to hear the cats safe.
ReplyDeleteHow I wish for 100x
DeleteThat's heart breaking! Cats are not pests, why on earth would they do that to those poor ones. I am not a pet lover but I definitely don't dislike petting them when I find one. Hope some proper solution comes up soon and cats are allowed their freedom!
ReplyDeleteYeah I hope they will make amends.
DeleteOMG what is wrong with these companies. I hope that the cats are adopted and taken off the streets. They deserve love and a home.
ReplyDeleteYes they do deserve home and love. The BGC Community which is majority owned my Ayala Corporation loves pets. But some tenants like Shangri-La seems doesn't.
DeleteI can only imagine how much joy they brought everyone! Where I live we have a spay and release program for our feral cats. Im so sorry that they were taken away from the community like that. Especially since they were so clearly loved and taken care of!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kim for your support.
DeleteThe lost cats are all neutered and vaccine, thanks to the many volunteers in the community. They are harmless. Now it is a dull place without them.
awww, I have a little ball of fur at home and I can't imagine my life without him. This is such a crazy thing happening!
ReplyDeleteThank you dear! Your little fur ball is truly blessed.
DeleteThat's one wrong move. I hope that cats are fine. My son loves cats but since he and his dad are asthmatic, we couldn't have one at home yet.
ReplyDeleteThanks dear. I do hope they are okay.
DeleteI do believe that the hotel took steps not to immediately harm the cats. Of course, relocating them may cause harm to them in the future as they will be in unfamiliar territory, so it's not exactly right. I think the hotel acted in its best interest but definitely went about it the wrong way. If the cats have been adopted - great! If they have just been moved somewhere else, not so great. Hoping for some answers soon! x
ReplyDeleteI agree, and if they didn't touch them there should be no problem.
DeleteI wonder what a
ReplyDeleteharm those little cuties ever did
Yeah.. we believe that what Shangri-La meant for "relocate" is "dump". They seems sugarcoating it the fact that they did forceful dumped the cats to other unfamiliar places without known humans to feed them. It's inhumane.
Deletei thinks its more about hygiene and cleanliness. They not kill the cats but relocate it somewhere. Hope all the cats is ok
ReplyDeleteFor hygiene and cleanliness - these cats are so clean and many residents and volunteers are cared for them and cleaned their poop. So there is no issue on that.
DeleteShangri-La believes that the cats ruins the "aesthetics" of their place. We also believed that those cats are now dead. Its mean more than 48hours and we can't find them.
Business wise they werent smart at all! Instead they should have done something positive with the situation like opening a cat-café iwhich is very popular all over the world. However, I hope that at end of all this for the sake of the cats, they were honest saying that the cats were adopted by the employees. Poor cats!
ReplyDeleteThere is new update of this catastrophe. I will update this post. Turns out, Shangri-La lied to the public about their first statement saying that their employees adopted the cats. The photos that they have showed yesterday are not the cats of BGC, those are different cats.
DeletePublic are getting more and more angry!
Hoping that the cats are fine, have so much sympathy for these poor living beings. Really wish that you have a strong voice to support them.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jhilmil!
DeleteWE value all kinds of life and the action of this luxury hotel is unacceptable.
I am almost speechless having read through this post. From all my travels, I have never come across a story like this one. The damage to the reputation of Shangri-la must be considerable and I'm not sure if they would be able to 'undo' what has occurred. Perhaps the city should step in at this stage, especially where it is a case of suspected breach of law (quite aside from the inhumane practice that has occurred).
ReplyDeleteYes Nicole,
DeleteOur City of Taguig is preparing for filing a case against Shangri-La The Fort. Yesterday's meeting proof that they lied so many times in the hopes that they could cover-up what they have done.
We will never stop for this fight. Cats or Dogs or any life of animals, we will fight!
Gosh I hope those cats are all okay! As an animal lover I think what harm did the cats do really?
ReplyDeleteSadly dear, its almost a week now and we can't find the lost cats. We believed that they are already dead.
DeleteAs long as they've not harmed the cats, it's still okay. And if they are not harmed or not thrown away somewhere, they can be brought back as per the hotel. I really hope that the cats are back at their territory otherwise this 5 star hotel will soon be a zero star hotel!
ReplyDeleteWe've conducted a search for three days now on the alleged dumping site, unfortunately we can't find them. It is now assumed that those cats are now dead.
DeleteShangri-La The Fort killed them all.
Today is actually Love Your Pet Day. I’m so saddened that this happened. It’s so unfair for the cats. I’m so happy that so many people are using their voice.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting Tasheena!
DeleteWe will not stop for this fight. We animal lover in the community will fight for animal's rights and life.
Wow, what a crazy turn of events. I hope the cats truly were humanely adopted and in god homes. It is a shame that the hotel could not work with the animal groups for a cat sanctuary.
ReplyDeleteI agree. The park is already a cat sanctuary. Many netizens and volunteers shared their own stories how these cats have saved their lives.
DeleteOne volunteer shared she was saved by these cats from attempted suicide. Her stay in the park and playing with them makes her realized that there is still hope.
This situation is quite a tough one because there is a bit unknown. Being such a big international company, I feel instinctively that Shangri-la would have made efforts to remove the cats in the most humane way possible without harm, but of course unfortunately there is so much unknown for the wellbeing of the cats. I do feel it is a bit unfair the way many have gone to immediately rate the hotel so poorly, because these ratings can truly make or break a business. But at the same time I do understand it because people want answers. It's a tough situation!
ReplyDeleteYes you have a point.
DeleteBut the moment that Shangri-La lied to the public many times and with their inconsistent public release, that's the time people gone so angry.
This is awful, shame on that hotel! I hope the cats are safe!
ReplyDeleteYes, we do hope and pray... but it is hard to think they are dead already.
DeleteWow I actually haven’t heard about it in any news but it’s crazy! I am more for dog �� person than cat �� but no animals should be treat like that! I am glad there’re ok !
ReplyDeleteI hope the cats are safe and sound. I understand your concern and pain. I hope you get the answers you are looking for, for I can tell you really care for them.
ReplyDelete❥ tanvii.com
Thank you Tanvi!
DeleteWe need answers and solutions, and we need them to stop lying to us.
Omg... For sure the rating at fb and TripAdvisor drop down seriously. This action really can't be accept by anyone.
ReplyDeleteSad to hear about this!
Racheal
Yes, from 5-stars rating on Facebook, down to 1.4 this morning.
DeleteAlso, it was reported that any account to leaves a 1-star review on their Facebook have experienced immediate locked of their Facebook account, and once they login again, their reviews are gone.
Oh, poor cats. So many animals mistreated out there. I believe there are also good people looking for ways to help them.
ReplyDeleteYes, many volunteers are employees and business owners of various companies, and trying all their best to locate them.
DeleteWe will never stop until we find them all, and serve justice.
Hopefully the cats are okay <3
ReplyDeleteWe do hope and pray.
DeleteI think the hotels heart was in the right place and they were trying to make a good decision but just got their judgement wrong. Totally agree that you shouldn’t support them. Who doesn’t love animals? Even the few that don’t, surely they wouldn’t wish any harm
ReplyDeleteThey might be a valid reason for removing those cats, but they should informed the community first. They forgot that those cats came first before Shangri-La The Fort opened.
DeletePest Control to 'remove' cats? Why don't they collaborate with the local body that handle stray cats and dogs - the one that will keep them until they are adopted. Pest Control will have no means of handling such beautiful creatures - they only know how to get rid of the problem. Shame on Shangri-La!
ReplyDeleteI know right? Even a grade school kid will think twice if he/she will remove the cats or not.
DeleteThe General Manager, was interviewed on television and said they are truly sorry and admitted that they should have coordinated first with the local body.
Tsk tsk damage has been done, and they must pay the price.
I worked in a company beside that building before and it was just a vacant lot back then. Ever since, that building has always been dodgy and was never amazed when it got built. Probably felt the unkind feeling from the higher ups.
ReplyDeleteNow they are the most hated building in the community.
DeleteOh my! I can't believe the hotel wouldn't let people know and give some kind of warning/notification before relocating the cats. That's horrible and very sad. If it's true that some of the employees took the cats, that's great. But how can anyone trust a hotel that is like a thief in the night. Shame on them!
ReplyDeleteThe latest update is, the cats that was allegedly adopted by their employees are NOT TRUE. Our cats are still catnapped!
DeleteI'm a huge animal lover so I have to agree. Sometimes business decisions are very harsh.
ReplyDeleteThey must pay the price.
DeleteLol .. kesian kucing2 tu , dah menjatuhkan reputasi 5star hotel kononnya .. hope kucing tu semua ok
ReplyDeleteI know right! They are so stupid, lah
DeleteOh no, it hurts to read this, I'm sure those who experience it would feel it even more. I hope the cats are in good hands.
ReplyDeleteIt hurts my stomach, and gain additional wrinkles! I hate Shangri-La The Fort!!!
DeleteSometimes big corporate interests take actions that suit their interest without consulting any other stakeholders, especially the community. It is heartening to see this backlash from the community, reminding the corporate that they cannot act with such impunity
ReplyDeleteI am not a pet enthusiast (nor am I a hater), but I understand how the community acted as common owners of these cats and why they feel this way after the cats had been removed. It's okay to have some of them adopted but the community deserves to be informed where the cats had been transferred and assured that they are in good condition.
ReplyDeleteI agree. You see if the community was informed properly, of course the community will help. Because we also aimed to find new and safe homes for these cats. But nope, they disrespect the community and the nature.
DeleteBy looking at the mess they did, I wonder their rating will rise back! This was such a disgusting act from the hotel, hopefully the cat will be fine T_T
ReplyDeleteOne thing that will make it rise back again immediately, is when they buy fake likes and fake reviews for their page.
DeleteOMG! This is insane. I hope that the cats have been adopted and they are in safe environment. I love cats and I feel that the hotel shouldn't have taken such extreme steps.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mayuri, much appreciated!
DeleteI believe the hotel or anyone in this situation could have handled it in a much different and more humane way.
ReplyDeleteExactly. Like they say, "never touching anything without permission." Its basic rule.
DeleteOh my god. This is a serious case of pr practice gone wrong. They could have handled it better
ReplyDeleteExactly Maya.
DeleteI fail to see what a big deal this is. If the hotel truly did relocate the cats to residential locations (which doesn't really say in a person's home - they could have dumped them into a residential area where they are left to fend for themselves) then why not bust their butts to get these cats back to the habitat they are familiar with and where they are loved. Their hotel is suffering so significantly that it should be a priority to get them all back to the park within 24 hours and clearly they are unable to do that.
ReplyDeleteHello Athena,
DeleteIt hurts to think that they are all dead by now, since its been more than 24-hours and they are not yet found.
Poor all the cats. I hope all of them still ok. I'm cat lover too. So angry when read this entry.
ReplyDeleteHope they are!
DeleteThe kids in our community are crying upon knowing their pets are gone. These cats have bonded us all.
It's suspicious that they won't provide proof that they moved them. If the cats were so loved by the public, why are they gone? It just doesn't sound right.
ReplyDeleteI agree. It seems that Shangri-La The Fort values the money than compassion even more.
DeleteIts a difficult situation.Hhope it works out soon and a long time solution adopted.
ReplyDeleteI agree. If they did these to dogs, we will be furious as well!
DeletePersonally not a big fan of cats, however I value all life! I really hope they were in fact adopted out and cared for properly! The way the community rallied together for these beloved felines is pretty amazing.
ReplyDeleteThank you dear!
DeleteAll kind of life is life... this act is disrespectful to the nature as well.
Gosh I hadn't heard of this controversy! I think big hotels think they can do anything in the name of 'public service' when in fact they're just trying to make themselves more money. Be interesting to find out what really happened!
ReplyDeleteThey are sleeping with money.
DeleteLet's see what will happen to their public service after this fiasco.
I don't know how I feel about all of this. I am sorry that the cats were all of a sudden missing. But as a person who has a severe allergy to cats, having them there would have been a problem to me. There are tons of suffering people who have cat allergies who couldn't go to these places. I agree they should have removed them in a humane way. But the problem is once you have done it and you didn't inform anyone, how could they do anything which would make the people who loved the cats being there happy. I really and truly hope they are safe, and I understand people's love for animals. (I used to have cats as a child and I adored them.) I think they may have been caught in a no win situation.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your message David. How I wish that the cats will find their way home.
DeleteI couldn't even imagine witnessing any of this. I love all of my adopted kittes.
ReplyDeletethey are so blessed having you :D
DeleteSo there is no catch and release program there? Where we live feral cats are feral and most likely not adoptable, but we have an agency that will catch them - spay/neuter tham and release them back. Keeps rodents down too
ReplyDeleteYes we have volunteer organizations which promote catch and release program. And most of these cats are well vaccines and neutered, thanks to the many volunteers.
DeleteWhat an awful situation for those poor cats. I am sure the hotel management could have found a better way to handle this.
ReplyDeleteYeah there are many ways.. but they failed AF.
DeleteHow crazy is this! It is so sad to see that a hotel would treat cats the way they do. Glad to see that there is backlash against such behaviour.
ReplyDeletewe will learn many things about this issue. This will be a new case study now.
DeleteThank you for posting this. I haven't heard anything about it and this is just horrible. Those cats deserve better, this hotel should be ashamed of themselves. If they did not want the cats on their property they could have posted signs asking the community to take them. They had to be aware of how popular they were for the people.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. A simple "no cats allowed / can passed" will do and let the volunteers remove it.. but they failed to do so.
DeleteThats awful.. why treat those poor creature that way? they should have put them up for adoption if they dont want them anymore.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Actually some of those cats are waiting for adoption and just finalizing the paper works.
DeleteWow this is insane! I feel so bad for the cats- the hotel should have handled this better.
ReplyDeleteWe expect that they will. However, we found out that even its a conglomerate brand, a huge hotel also have weaknesses.
DeleteI understand what the hotel was trying to accomplish for their business and brand, but I sure do hope that all of the cats that lost their place there are okay!
ReplyDeleteWe hope and pray Nicole.
DeleteThis is just crazy! Those poor cats have not harmed anyone. At least they have people like you and others to call them out on their behavior.
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Elizabeth
http://www.akeenesenseofstyle.com
There was no reported that those cats had harmed anyone. It felt sick to my stomach and I'm worried about them.
DeleteWow. That is crazy, I can't believe that happened. So glad animal lovers are showing solidarity and ensuring these cats are taken care of.
ReplyDelete(Chinedu)
The biggest animal issue scandal here in the Philippines and in the hospitality industry here.
DeletePoor kitties! The hotel should respect their neighbors, even their feline ones!
ReplyDeleteYeah, they failed the basic law of nature.
DeleteThat is nuts. I can't believe that happens. So sad
ReplyDeleteI agree. Even high-end hotels are not perfect. Hope this will solved ASAP.
DeleteI can't believe they would do this, but the backlash is spectacular. It sounds like the cats were really important to the people.
ReplyDeleteYeah it is. They already saved many hoomans with depressions, and even attempted suicide. These cats are important, also the other animals.
DeleteLet us give Shangri-la the fort the benefit of the doubt. Hope they really relocated the cats in a place where they will be fed and taken care of. Before i got pregnant, we have lots of cats at home. We name them alphabetically and the last we've got is named None because we couldn't think of a name as of that moment. Haha, i remember we have Angel, collete, Fedra, george, hana.
ReplyDeleteWow you have many cats! My Mom has 3 :D
DeleteIt so sad they treat the animals in that way.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I agree. It is sad and disappointing.
DeleteI can't support a business that treats life unfairly.
If they change their management and how they do their business, maybe I will have a change of heart.
So sad to hear about the cats but I am glad the community is standing up for the cats and animals rights. Speaking up to make a change.
ReplyDeleteThis is what I like about social media. We can unite for a common good goal.
Delete