A State policy that seeks to control the reproduction of stray dogs and cats, which can become more than three million currently in the country, advances positively in the Congress of the Republic.
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The plenary session of the Senate, in this sense, approved a bill through which it is guaranteed that the country will carry out the sterilization of these animals with resources from the municipalities and the national government itself.
Free sterilization bill for cats and dogs
The author of the bill, Senator Andrea Padilla, Alianza Verde, maintained that “There are over 3 million homeless cats and dogs across the country. (according to DANE there are 2 million between Bogotá, Cali, Medellín and Cartagena)”, in addition to specifying that “a cat can have 28,812 kittens in five years and a dog 5,000 puppies in five years”.
Currently, sterilization programs are only attended in 25 municipalities in 5 departments, including the country’s capital. According to Padilla, per year, according to official figures, more than 30,000 cats and dogs are sheltered by protectionists in foster homes and foundations.
The bill states that the operation will be free for the homeless population, foundations, organizations that attend to the animals and the lower strata of the population.
When supporting the project in plenary, the green senator indicated that “it is an article that establishes competence of the Ministry of Environment, creates the national sterilization program as a method of control of the reproduction of cats and dogs, reduces the phenomenon of abuse, protects wildlife, protects public health”.
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He specified that, among other provisions, stray animals (cats and dogs), rescuers, foundations and the recycling population that have animals will have special attention. In the same way, it was established that this program, which will be national, may be attended by veterinary students who are doing their internships.
Colpress.
