Filipina girl group 4th Impact is making headlines — but not in a good way. Composed of four sisters, Almira, Irene, Mylene, and Celina Cercado, 4th Impact started a fundraising campaign to create a “dreamland” for their dogs. This may seem all well and good at first glance until netizens learn they have over 200 Shih Tzu dogs in their care.

4th Impact opens fundraising campaign

Last February 23, the group’s eldest sister Elvira set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for a “dreamland” or “a safe and expansive farm” for their 200+ dogs. According to their fundraising statement, they need help to relocate them since their neighbors have lodged complaints over the noise the 200+ dogs make. This led to the decision to separate their male dogs from their current home.

“This separation pains us deeply. You see, each of these dogs holds a special place in our hearts. We’re not just their caregivers; we’re their family. Their well-being means everything to us,” they wrote. “And now, as we look into their eyes, we see the longing for a home where they can run, play, and thrive together.”

“Your kindness will not only transform the lives of our beloved fur babies but also fill our hearts with hope and gratitude. Together, we can make a difference,” they continued.

At the end of the statement is a YouTube link that leads to a video that has since been taken down.

“It’s a big challenge for us to know that our babies need to be separated just to ease the noise. Thanks in advance for your generosity,” the video description reads. “You will probably say its a lot but the range of farm lot in the Philippines cost that much for just a minimum of 1000sqm. We will do everything we can to provide for them. And see them living in a good space. So they can play and run together and enjoy life.”

How the sisters ended up with over 200 dogs

According to the Cercado sisters, they started with only 5 Shih Tzus, all of whom were gifted by fans around 2020.

That number quickly grew over the years, becoming 73 in Feb 2022 and then 130 in Dec 2022.

In 2023, they spent several months in the US, and they couldn’t keep an eye on the dogs, so the total number of their dogs blew up to over 200. “Nagulat din po kami, Tito Boy. During pandemic,130 lang sila. Pero dahil nag-US po kami, dumami. Hindi na nabantayan,” the sisters admitted in an interview with Boy Abunda last December 2023.

“Kilala niyo sila lahat?” asked the host, to which the sisters answered: “Yung mga newborn, hindi na, wala ng name, para pwede namin i-let go.”

In the same month, the sisters announced they would give away 10 Shih Tzu puppies to their social media followers. The mechanics called for a follow for each of their accounts, a mention of friends, and a comment on why the giveaway joiner should be picked as winner.

Netizens call out the sisters for ‘irresponsible pet ownership’

Many netizens have taken to social media to express their disappointment, pointing out that the owners could’ve spayed and neutered their dogs before letting the situation get out of hand. “True furparents wouldn’t let their dogs keep on multiplying,” one X (formerly Twitter) user wrote.

Concerned netizens also commented on the sister’s posts, but they were only met with angry, scathing replies. “Mind your own bussiness kase hnd mo pera yung ginagstos to take care all of them!!!!! [sic]”

Other netizens also pointed out how surprising that the 4th Impact could watch Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour while they needed fundraising for their pets. The sisters attended the concert last August 2023 in the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, USA.

Even veterinarians and animal advocates called out for “irresponsible pet ownership.”

“Sa dami ng mga nahihirapan na mga shelters at rescuers, nakakalungkot na makakita ng ganitong sitwasyon — purebreed dog na nagsimula sa 5, ngayon ay 200 na,” a veterinarian posted. “Hindi sapat na mayroon silang pagkain at tirahan, dapat ay sapat, maayos at tama ito para sa kanila.”

Many netizens have resorted to reporting 4th Impact’s GoFundMe campaign.
As of writing, the campaign has received 13 donations amounting to USD 825 or approximately PHP 46,000.

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