There’s a quiet revolution happening in the queen city of the south, and it has four paws, a wagging tail, and a whole lot of charm. Cebu City is proudly the only city in the Philippines actively implementing the CNVR program, that’s Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Return, for stray dogs.
This forward-thinking initiative is changing the way people and “aspins” live together, creating a model where compassion and coexistence thrive side by side.
Aspin Ambassadors in the City
Take a stroll through Cebu Business Park or IT Park, and you’ll meet some of the city’s most beloved residents. These aspins roam freely, not as nuisances, but as part of the community fabric. Office workers know them by face, some even by name. Locals leave out food and water bowls. And visitors? They can’t help but snap a photo or two.
Healthy, Happy, and Home
Through the CNVR program, these dogs are sterilized to control population growth, vaccinated to prevent disease, and monitored to ensure they stay healthy. No more dangerous, outdated “catch and kill” methods, just a sustainable, humane approach that keeps tails wagging and streets safer.
The results speak for themselves, a healthier, more stable stray population, minimal public health risks, and a city that shows the rest of the country how it’s done.
A Blueprint for the Future
Cebu City’s approach is more than just animal control, it’s a celebration of the bond between humans and dogs. By treating aspins as part of the community rather than a problem to be solved, the city is proving that kindness works.
Maybe it’s time other Philippine cities take a page from Cebu’s playbook, because here, compassion and community truly go hand in paw.
