For many years, the only programs local governments had in place for strays were impounding and vaccination. Unfortunately, these only scratch the surface of the issue and do not preventively address the problem of homeless animals.

Stray animals come from owned pets. Pets get pregnant or get other pets pregnant, and once they give birth, people give the puppies and kittens away.

There are always takers for the puppies, but when they are all grown up, sometimes they end up on the streets.

Spay/neuter (kapon) programs for stray dogs also do not address the problem of stray dogs who end up sick. The spay/neutergroups for stray dogs quickly become “mini-shelters” themselves, and end up bringing sick dogs to the vet.

The spay/neuter groups for stray dogs will eventually run out of steam, enthusiasm, manpower and funding, as long as owned pets keep reproducing. Owned pets, therefore, must be spayed or neutered to solve the problem of pet homelessness for the long term.

As part of its mission to prevent cruelty to animals and to offer sustainable solutions to the issue of stray dogs and cats in communities, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has long promoted spay/neuter programs for companion animals.

Since 2009, PAWS has been operating a low-cost spay-neuter clinic in Quezon City and gives free spay-neuter to indigent pet owners. In addition, its “KabaliCAT” project implements trap-neuter-vaccinate-and-release activities for managing stray cats in neighborhoods. Also, all dogs and cats that are available for adoption from PAWS’ animal shelter are spayed or neutered.

PAWS’ newest campaign is its “Kapon for All Pets” program, which proposes incentives to be offered by local governments to veterinary clinics operating within their cities and municipalities. A three-way partnership between PAWS and participating local governments, the program seeks to provide free or affordable kapon procedures for pets owned by the local governments’ constituents.

Participating veterinary clinics within the city or municipality will be working alongside the local government to implement the program. The local governments that will take part will be included in PAWS’ list of progressive kapon-friendly cities and municipalities, which the organization will be putting out on all of their social media channels in celebration of World Spay Day on Feb. 22.

The first 10 local governments to implement the “Kapon for All Pets” fiscal and nonfiscal incentives will receive P50,000 worth of surgery materials from PAWS and a plaque of recognition as a pioneer “Kapon For All Pets” local government partner.

PAWS believes that providing free or affordable kapon for pets is the long-term and sustainable solution to pet homelessness.

“Kapon for All Pets” is proof that private-public partnerships can promote animal welfare, which is directly connected to public health issues and the eradication of rabies.

Local governments interested to work with PAWS may email PAWS executive director Anna Cabrera at [email protected].