Despite numerous calls from the university community, a Quezon City (QC) pound truck impounded cats around the University Health Service (UHS) on April 11. 

In a letter addressed to the Quezon City veterinarian, the UHS sought help for the impounding of cats around the clinic because it deemed them as possible dangers to their patients. 

Friends of Campus Animals UP (FOCA UP) stated that impounding is just a temporary solution and that in two weeks, a new batch of stray cats will roam the UHS.

This follows a series of impoundments that started on January 11, where “stray” dogs were taken around the Academic Oval and Area 2 by the pound even if they are taken care of by the community. The same happened on February 1, when dogs near Vinzons Hall were targeted. 

University Student Council (USC) Environmental Concerns Committee Head Siege Navalta also questioned the validity of the UHS’s concerns as no incident of a stray animal attack has been recorded. Rather, he pinpoints this decision to impound animals to the university’s desire to get rid of them.

“We were able to connect with the QC Veterinary Office, and they told us na hindi basta-basta makakapasok ang QC Pound unless in-allow ng administration. Kahit pa sumulat [ang sinumang] tao sa UP, kailangan [itong payagan] ng admin,” Navalta said.

There is also a lack of student representation on matters concerning campus animals. The supposed reconstitution of the Animal Welfare Committee, which promises the inclusion of student representation as part of the resolutions agreed upon with Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Roehl Jamon, is still not convened.

The General Assembly of Environmental Advocates claims that the request to convene the new committee already reached the Office of the Chancellor. Meanwhile, the agreement of the inclusion of a student representative has been standing ever since the meeting with Jamon in December 2023.

Attempts to follow up on the formation of the committee have also been made. The USC sent a letter to Jamon on January 22 to point out that the lack of an active Animal Welfare Committee “hinders progress on acting on these community concerns.”

It also sent a letter to UP Diliman Chancellor Edgardo Carlo Vistan on April 12, urging him to expedite the convention of the Animal Welfare Committee, and ensure the inclusion of a student representative.

“Pinatatagal nila nang pinatatagal ang pag-convene ng Animal Welfare Committee, hindi na to usapin ng budget lang e kasi, kayang kaya nila yang gawan ng paraan. They are in a position for a reason. If anything, sila ang reason [kung bakit] helpless ang UP community,” Navalta said. ●

First published in the April 24, 2024 print edition of the Collegian.