MANILA – The management of Araneta City in Cubao on Monday said it continues to ensure the safety and welfare of cats in the mall premises after the photo of a cat in an animal capture net went viral.

Luchie Diaz, a core volunteer of Cats of Araneta City and CARA Welfare Philippines, told ABS-CBN News that the cat in the photo was visibly in discomfort and was in a net for several hours already when found in the premises last Friday. 

This prompted concerned people to report the incident and for them to rescue the cat.

“Naawa sila doon sa cat. Parang nagha-hyperventilate na, hinihingal na at nakalabas ang dila. So there was no cage or cat carrier… we were able to transfer the cat to the carrier and was sent to the vet for kapon, because hindi pa siya neutered,” said Diaz.

“We told Araneta City that… the best for these cats is to follow the kapon procedure. If the cat is already [neutered], dapat ipa-adopt,” she added.

Cats roaming the area should be up for adoption after being neutered rather than being transferred outside Araneta City’s premises as this might harm the cat.

“Ipapadala daw doon ang mga cats… or mga place na paglalagyan. It is not helping the cat, not providing them a better place that they came from. If the cat is brought outside Araneta City… matatakot yan, tatakbo yan, magtatago yan. Papaano pa namin sila mapapakain?” she added.

Aside from this though, the Cats of Araneta City in a social media post alleged the business center would catch cats “daily for 2 weeks.”

Cats, the post noted, were “dumped outside” and “has been sent to pound already.”

In a statement however on Monday, Araneta City said they only wanted to keep the cats safe so they gathered them in the mall premises. This was to “keep them away from dangerous areas.”

The cat in the viral post is also safe.

“The stray cat in the viral photo is currently safe in a pet carrier at Gateway Mall, and is awaiting to be neutered,” the statement read.

“All other cats have been adopted or are being monitored. Not a single cat was sent to the city pound. The management has also reminded all personnel to make sure that all cats are safe and treated properly,” it added.

“Araneta City is mindful of the safety and welfare of all the cats in the area.”

The business center said it was willing to work with animal volunteer groups to maintain its commitment to keep pets safe in their area.

Diaz, for her part, said they were willing to cooperate with Araneta City and equip them with knowledge on proper handling of cats.