EDITORIAL - A development fur the better  

There is some good news for the stray animals roaming our streets. According to Cebu City’s Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF), more and more people are now open to adopting stray cats and dogs.

This is evidenced by the number of cats and dogs adopted from the DVMF office; 204 last year from just 93 in 2023.

“Ang atong adoption is promising. Now, this year, just for the month of January, mga almost 10 ang na-adopt, iring ug iro. So, we are happy for that… Ubay-ubay na sad ang nakasabot nga ang asong pinoy, bisan tuod ang nawong dili kaayo kagwapohan, pero the love that they give sa mo-adopt, plus kuan sad siya, kanang sweet no basta ayohon lang nimo og atiman,” said city veterinarian Dr. Alice Utlang in an article in this newspaper.

As of that report there are still 104 dogs, including puppies, still up for adoption at the DVMF.

 The sight of stray cats and dogs roaming the streets of our city, with most of them having no other source of food but piles of trash, is absolutely heartbreaking.

Living outside exposes them to the elements and hazards like vehicles, but it gets worse; some people are wont to harm or even kill them for absolutely no reason at all.

While aspins and puspins may not be as good-looking as cats and dogs with pedigrees, they are no different when it comes to feeling hunger, fear, and sadness. And like, animals of more “desirable” breeds, they are also capable of unconditional love.

This is a good development, as it would seem many people now see strays not as nuisances but as possible pets. But then again, more animals need to be taken off the streets and placed in homes where they can get the life they deserve as loyal and loving companions.

Maybe that report where Cebu City was recently named as one of the pet-friendliest in Asia has some cred to it after all.