As you drive through Metro Manila and observe the streets, there is a high possibility that you would witness malnourished cats and dogs scavenge for food in the trash or even sleep in dark corners of alleys. Why is that?
In 2019, it was recorded that there are 12 million stray animals living in the streets which allows rabies to persist in being one of the leading public health issues in the country despite the implementation of the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 (PAWS, n.d.; Vila, 2020).
This stirs up more questions: Why are there stray animals in the first place? Why is there an excessive amount of them in Metro Manila?
Among the public issues of the nation, the overpopulation of stray animals is overlooked as one of the top neglected problems that we face as Filipinos. It is not made aware to most of us that this ignorance is the core cause of what heightens this issue. The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (n.d). shares that these are the predominant causes:
Lack of Spaying and Neutering
The act of spaying and neutering is a surgical procedure and operation that veterinarians do to prevent animals from reproducing. This is recommended to ensure that these animals would not mate and that their population can be controlled. In the Philippine context, most domesticated and stray animals fail to get spayed and neutered. Unfortunately, many pet owners in the country, who cannot afford to provide for their pets and their offsprings, end up abandoning the some–if not all–in the streets.
Breeding Over Adopting
It is an unfortunate reality that many do not realize the importance of adopting, instead of breeding their own. There is this notion that stray animals are the "leftovers" of society and that prone to emitting health issues. In turn, this can actually put more people in danger of rabies and overpopulation. Through adopting, it would be easier to control the stray animal population and ensure that they are in protected hands.
Neglect of Animal Welfare
It is understandable that not everyone can take in a stray animal they see on the street or even have the means to adopt one. It is also not a valid excuse to do nothing about it; however, where does that leave us if there is a lack of platforms and policies that support these animals? A convenient alternative is letting go of these animals to the city pound where these animals are euthanized to rest. However, it is such an unethical method to do when there are so many other ways to help address this issue ethically.
Overall, it is evident how the lack of sufficient platforms and resources to inform people and provide for these animals is the common thread among the leading causes of stray animals in the country. It is an unfortunate reality that these animals are placed into a situation where they must eat for nutrition, suffer through diseases, and live without shelter. Thus, we must advocate for the animals that scour through the city—those that are limbless and ill—to create a better environment for not just stray animals but for the nation as well.
References:
PAWS. (n.d.). Why are there a lot of stray cats and stray dogs?
Retrieved from http://pawsphilippines.weebly.com/strays-why-are-there-stray-cats-
and-dogs.html
Vila, A.C. (2020, July 31). With animal shelters full, millions of stray dogs and cats
roam the Philippines – but one clinic is offering a solution. South China
Morning Post. Retrieved from https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3095186/animal-
shelters-full-millions-stray-dogs-and-cats-roam-philippines-one?fbclid=IwAR3-
qsRHrhyy3ftKfP1Ovc9fF_inbIRYfCp5Yg1UWg3mnkvHvqeurd766L0
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