10/08/2025
Cebu
Cebu City is setting an inspiring example in animal welfare, being the only city in the Philippines that actively implements the CNVR (Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Return) program for stray dogs. This progressive approach has allowed humans and “aspins” (as local dogs are lovingly called) to coexist peacefully across the city.
Stray dogs in Cebu City are not just tolerated they are part of the community. In areas like Cebu Business Park and Cebu IT Park, these dogs roam freely and safely, becoming familiar faces to office workers, residents, and visitors alike. Their presence adds a unique charm to these bustling business hubs, and many locals have taken to caring for and feeding them.
Thanks to the city’s CNVR initiative, these dogs are sterilized, vaccinated, and regularly monitored, helping control the population without resorting to harmful methods. The result is a healthier, more stable community of free-roaming dogs that no longer pose significant public health risks.
Cebu City's humane and sustainable model for managing its stray dog population is a potential blueprint for other urban centers in the Philippines showing that compassion and community can go hand in paw.
