Manila launches drive against stray dogs, cats

The Manila government launched yesterday a massive surgical sterilization of stray cats and dogs to control their population in the city.

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza said the program, which is also aimed in preventing human deaths due to rabies, is a part of Buhayin ang Maynila urban renewal campaign.

The city government, through the Veterinary Inspection Board (VIB), kicked off the sterilization training program at the Manila City Pound in Vitas, Tondo.

"The training would surely help us and other local government units to effectively control the population of stray dogs and cats through surgical sterilization," Atienza said.

The program is being conducted in cooperation with the Philippine Society for the Protection of Animals and the World Society of the Protection of Animals, both non-profit animal welfare organization.

VIB chairman Jose Diaz explained that neutering is an effective and humane way to control animal population and is a major competent to the responsible pet ownership campaign of the city.

Along with surgical sterilization, the city government will also be conducting a mass anti-rabies vaccination campaign. – Cecille Suerte Felipe