Stray cats have become a nuisance to several residents in Naga City, Camarines Sur due to their habit of rummaging through garbage.

Because the cats scatter the garbage, the residents now have to deal with collecting the trash again. 

"Nilalalay, nakalat," Flor Astrana, a resident, said.

"Maribukon lalo na kung ‘tong kururahaw na—arog na yan kaiyan. Kaya maperwisyong maray talaga ang pagtuturog mo, maaabala, mapupuyat ka," Yolanda Delfino Delos Santos, another resident, added.

The stray cats are observed in the majority of the barangays in the city.

While the City Veterinary Office acknowledges the inconvenience caused by stray cats, they also noted that the capture of these felines is more complicated compared to stray dogs.

"Although po challenging po talaga pag-abot sa ikos ta masakiton man talagang dakupon si ikos. Saro din siya sa nagkakawsa ning mga itong pagkalat nin basura," Dr. Marilee Lingua, the Officer-in-Charge of the City Veterinary Office, said.

In response, the office aims to conduct weekly stray animal roundup activities to manage the situation.

Lingua said that the responsibility goes both ways-residents should manage their waste appropriately, and, at the same time, take responsibility for their pets.

"Pigpapaguirumdom mi ngani manungod sa responsible pet ownership bale two-way ngani ito, maging responsible kita sa pag-apon nin basura then maging responsable din kitang may sadiri kan si mga hayop," she said.

At present, there is an allotted space in Barangay Carolina as the Dog and Cat Pounding facility where captured stray animals are held. 

In case of non-redemption or adoption within 3-5 days, euthanasia becomes an option for the unclaimed animals. 

The facility, however, is nearing its capacity, with 40 out of 34 dog spaces currently occupied as of this writing.