IN-PERSON Manchester Livable Cities

Abstract

An estimated 75 percent of the world’s dogs and 80 percent of its cats are free roaming, with many living in cities. When unmanaged, these populations can contribute to urban public health and safety challenges, including rabies transmission, traffic accidents, bites, and nuisance behaviours. Humane, evidence-based dog and cat population management is therefore an increasingly important component of sustainable and liveable cities. In Greater Bangkok, Thailand, a city-wide Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return (CNVR) programme has been implemented to humanely manage free-roaming dog populations while increasing rabies vaccination coverage. Comparative monitoring shows that, in programme areas, free-roaming dog density has fallen by approximately 60 percent when compared with matched control areas without CNVR intervention. Corresponding household surveys indicate that reductions in dog density are associated with measurable changes in public attitudes. In neighbourhoods where the CNVR programme has been operating and free-roaming dog density has declined, residents report greater acceptance of free-roaming dogs as part of the local urban environment. This suggests that humane population management can contribute not only to public health and safety outcomes, but also to improved human–animal coexistence in cities. The paper will also present forthcoming findings from public opinion surveys being conducted across major cities in Mexico, Türkiye, and the Philippines, scheduled for completion in early 2026. These surveys explore city dwellers’ perceptions of free-roaming dogs and cats, their perceived impacts on urban life, and public expectations of how cities should manage these populations. Together, these data provide emerging evidence to support integrated, humane approaches to urban animal management that align animal welfare, public health, and social acceptance.