Having city-run animal shelters ensures that stray animals will have homes where they can receive the care they need. However, it seems that’s not the case at one animal facility in Cavite, where impounded cats have resorted to eating their own because of starvation. Here’s everything you need to know:

Trigger Warning: This article contains sensitive and graphic content.

Cats in the pound

A Facebook post by concerned citizen and animal advocate Yvette May has gone viral after detailing the heartbreaking situation of impounded cats and dogs in a barangay-run animal facility at Barangay San Jose in Dasmariñas City, Cavite. She shared several videos and photos of the animal center, where the animals look frantic and distressed. 

Her post stressed the severity of the situation inside the facility. One cat was said to be eaten by other cats because of severe starvation.

Yvette was bewildered, considering she donated three sacks of cat food a few weeks ago.

“Makikita ninyo, buhay pa d’yan ‘yung orange cat na kinain mismo ng kapwa pusa sa sobrang gutom. Kaawa-awa. Kung sinoman ang owner na ito, sana makita ninyo ang sinapit ng mga alaga ninyo,” Yvette said.

She added the barangay hall officials were mad at her for revealing what was happening at the animal facility, and she’s now worried for her security.

“Lahat po ng taga-barangay hall ay galit sa akin sa ginawa ko [na] pang-siwalat ng pangyayari sa barangay pound, at nanganganib po ang buhay ko. Kailangan ko po magpa-blotter sa pulis para sa protection ko at mga anak ko. Tulungan po ninyo ako para sa seguridad ko.”

What’s worse, the pound facility mistakenly released the cats.

“Sa mga nagtatanong asan ang mga pusa sa pound, pinakawalan ng barangay sa kalsada at ipinangako na huhulihin ulit nila. Wala pa po update as amin ng Biyaya Animal Care.”

Despite the danger, Yvette said she won’t stop advocating for all abused animals.

Pinoys were outraged

It hasn’t been that long since people learned about the tragic demise of the golden retriever Killua, so to witness another horrific animal mistreatment had Pinoys deeply appalled. They said that most stray animals put in animal pounds are neglected.

“Dapat hindi na hinuhuli ang mga ligaw na pusa at aso ng barangay kung hindi rin naman nila kayang pakainin dahil mas lalo po kawawa ang mga hayop,” one Facebook comment reads.

Some also share the hope for the animals to be re-homed and advocate for the closure of the barangay-run animal shelter.

“Mapasara na sana ang pound na ‘yan. Salamat po sa masidhi n’yong malasakit sa mga anghel na ‘yan. Sana po ay pumanig sa atin ang kinauukulan at mabigyan kayo ng proteksyon,” another user said. 

The Dasmariñas City Veterinary Services releases a statement

The viral post soon caught the attention of Dasmariñas City officials. The Dasmariñas City Veterinary Services has published a statement on Facebook and said they’ve already investigated the impounding facility.

“We are actively coordinating with barangay officials to ensure the immediate implementation of humane treatment and care protocols for animals and revising impounding procedures to prevent such incidents from recurring,” the post reads.

They’ve also temporarily suspended all impounding operations in Brgy. San Jose to ensure their facilities and procedures adhere to the highest animal welfare standards.

“We assure our community of our serious commitment to resolving this issue and ensuring the well-being of all impounded animals. We will keep the public informed with further updates and detailed information on our actions through the City Veterinarian’s official page.”

What happened to the impounded cats?

In a new update by the Dasmariñas City Veterinary Services, they said their team has recaptured nine cats so far, which have received vaccinations and deworming treatments. They’ve partnered with another animal shelter for their temporary housing, paving the way for their eventual adoption.

“As we move forward, our ultimate goal is to ensure these cats find loving forever homes. After their rehabilitation, we plan to make them available for adoption, giving our community the opportunity to welcome these resilient souls into their hearts and homes,” the office said.

A call to be more proactive

Although the impounded animals are now being taken care of, people call on the concerned barangay officials to be held accountable for what happened.

“Take accountability for the recklessness of the officials in charge and do better,” one comment says.

Pinoys also ask for exercising a more proactive approach to combating animal abuse and negligence.

“Public offices should be the first ones to serve as a good example on how to treat all members of the community properly and humanely.”

What are your thoughts on this issue? Let us know in the comments!