To ensure the welfare of stray cats, Barangay San Antonio (BSA) in Pasig City has partnered with non-profit organizations to create a safe space for stray cats and effectively manage their population.

On Monday, August 19, BSA Chairman Thomas Raymond Lising signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Compassion and Responsibility for Animals (CARA) Welfare Philippines and Cats of Ortigas to address issues related to stray cats through neutering and vaccination.

“The partnership enables us to care for our community cats because we cannot do it alone; we need the help of experts. It also helps control the cat population, which in turn reduces the risk of rabies among cats. By collaborating with groups dedicated to caring for community cats, we are able to address a range of cat-related concerns,” Lising stated.

“We entered into this agreement to keep the community cats in San Antonio safe, especially since they are stray and do not have owners to ensure they are vaccinated and neutered,” Lising added.

CARA Welfare Philippines President Nancy Cu Unjieng also emphasized the importance of controlling the cat population, stating, “Because cats will just multiply and multiply unless they are neutered.”

“If we neuter them, we control not only the cat population, but we [also] control the rabies. So if you do that in a certain area, it's a humane process, it's a kind process for animals, and it's proven,” she said.

They said neutering cats offers multiple health benefits, such as preventing certain cancers, reducing the risk of infections in the reproductive organs, and diminishing aggressive behaviors.

Unjieng further explained that simply rounding up cats with pest control or animal pounds is ineffective because new cats will take their place, and it would neither stop them from multiplying nor prevent rabies among cats.

Under the agreement, CARA and Cats of Ortigas will collaborate to conduct “catch-neuter-vaccinate-and-return” (CNVR) programs upon request by the barangay or its representatives.

CARA will handle the catching, medical procedures, recovery, and returning of the community cats, while Cats of Ortigas will address community concerns as the first point of contact for the barangay.

Both organizations will also coordinate and provide humane education and community cat welfare orientation for barangay officials, property managers, security personnel, residents, and volunteers.

BSA will provide a free venue for seminars and CNVR and Animal Welfare Responsible Pet Ownership projects.

The MOA also states that BSA agrees to prohibit the City Pound or pest control companies from rounding up CNVR cats and will allow the managed colony to live out their lives in peace, as CNVR does not contribute to the stray cat population.

However, the cats will be permitted to roam only in designated areas to minimize incidents of scratching and human interaction, among other concerns.

It also states that they will continue to manage a controlled colony of stray cats to prevent overpopulation and disturbances within the BSA community.

Cats of Ortigas co-founder Rose Sharon Patricia de Guzman said they will also disseminate animal welfare guidelines to all community members, including commercial and residential establishments. They also assist with adoption activities.