Cebu City is proposing an initial P5 million allocation for a program that would sterilize and vaccinate stray cats and dogs, aiming to manage their populations humanely while protecting public health.
Councilor Nyza Archival authored a proposed ordinance seeking to institutionalize the city’s Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return (CNVR) program through dedicated funding, barangay participation and partnerships with animal welfare organizations.
Under the measure, the city government would channel the initial P5 million through the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF), subject to the budget process and applicable government regulations.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod may adjust the amount upon the city government’s recommendation. The proposal also calls for annual funding to sustain and expand the program, subject to the regular budget process.
The DVMF would lead implementation, oversee veterinary operations and maintain records of animals captured, sterilized, vaccinated and returned to their territories, as well as those placed in foster care or adopted.
The program would provide free or subsidized spay-neuter and anti-rabies vaccination services, depending on available resources and veterinary protocols.
Under the CNVR approach, free-roaming animals would be safely captured, assessed by veterinarians, sterilized and vaccinated before being identified through appropriate markings or other means. Animals deemed suitable for release would then be returned to their original territories.
The proposed ordinance seeks to reduce reliance on impoundment and euthanasia as primary methods of controlling stray animal populations.
However, returning animals to the streets would not be automatic. The measure prioritizes foster care, rehabilitation, adoption or other appropriate placements for vulnerable animals, including abandoned pets, young animals and injured strays, whenever practicable.
The proposal would also link veterinary services with animal shelters, sanctuaries, foster networks and adoption initiatives to establish a more coordinated system of care.
All Cebu City barangays would be expected to participate by designating an animal welfare coordinator or focal person to work with the DVMF.
Barangays would help identify areas with high concentrations of stray animals, coordinate humane capture and transport, support sterilization and vaccination activities, and assist in monitoring animals after surgery.
The city would also establish an accreditation and partnership system for qualified animal welfare organizations, rescue groups, shelters, veterinarians, volunteers and community advocates. These partners could assist with animal handling, veterinary services, public education, fostering, adoption and monitoring, subject to program requirements.
Information campaigns on responsible pet ownership, spaying and neutering, rabies prevention, bite prevention and humane animal management would also form part of the proposed program.
To track its effectiveness, the DVMF would maintain a centralized database of animals sterilized and vaccinated, areas covered, and animals returned to their territories or placed in adoptive and foster homes.
The department would also monitor changes in stray animal populations and submit an annual accomplishment report to the city mayor and the City Council.
If the ordinance is approved, the DVMF would have 60 days to formulate implementing rules and regulations in consultation with the City Legal Office, council committees, barangays, veterinary professionals and animal welfare groups.
The proposal must complete the legislative process before its provisions can take effect.
Photo courtesy of Sangguniang Panglungsod - Cebu City
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