In January 2021, Westgate Alabang management had plans of catching and disposing of the cats in the area. This in spite of the fact that these cats are beloved, fed and cared for by the community, a lot of them have already been spayed and many customers would come to feed and spend time with the cats.  But because we spoke up then, they had to listen, management agreed to hold a dialogue (pending the actual date of the meeting) regarding a better, proper and humane solution of coexistence for the human and cat populations.

Fast forward to June 24,2021, the roving guards have threatened well-meaning people that feed and care for the cats with a warning, a violation and a threat to "dispose" of the cats.  

More than thirty years of documented proof shows that trap-and-kill methods have no lasting effect on reducing feral cat populations. Trap and kill is simply ineffective, expensive and cruel. If all the cats are not caught, then the ones left behind over breed until the former population level is reached.

Even if all the cats are removed, new un-neutered cats move in to take advantage of whatever food source is available. Once there, they breed prolifically, quickly populating a new colony with descendants that are more cautious and more disease-resistant. This “vacuum effect” is very well-documented.

Therefore the trap/kill effort becomes increasingly unproductive in the effort to reduce numbers.Trap/Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return, commonly referred to as “TNVR,” is the only method proven to be humane and effective at controlling the feral cat population. Using this technique, all the feral cats in a colony are trapped, neutered and then returned to their territory.

A feral cat management plan, such as the one promoted by CARA, has a dramatic impact on solving neighborhood feral cat problems.

The Trap/Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) method has shown to be enormously successful in reducing cat populations, at the same time it also offers the cats peaceful lives in their territories. In the end, everyone benefits: cats, wildlife, and people. It is effective, responsible and humane. The breeding stops and populations are gradually reduced. Nuisance behaviors associated with mating and breeding, such as calling and fighting, are virtually eliminated.

TNVR recognizes there is a balance in our urban society, one that includes feral cats. We would be overrun with rats and cockroaches if it wasn’t for the cats. TNVR is a movement that will hopefully continue to grow as more and more people see that it works. (Technical information from CARA website.)

Many areas around Manila have already adopted successful TNVR programs in their communities such as,                                                                                  Dasmarinas village
Forbes Park village
Bel Air village
San Lorenzo village
Fort Bonifacio Development
Polo club Makati as well as Alabang Town Center. 

I ask for your support in signing this petition and to help pave the way for a better , humane and compassionate society through a peaceful and beneficial solution for the coexistence of man and animals.