TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Kaohsiung's Animal Protection Office said the city recorded a three-year high in applications for dog and cat sterilization subsidies last year, as more pet owners took part in the program.

CNA reported Wednesday that applications for dog and cat sterilization subsidies rose steadily over the past three years, from 1,998 cases in 2023 to 2,532 in 2024, and 3,197 in 2025. Officials said the annual increase shows pet owners are placing greater importance on responsible ownership.

The city subsidized sterilization surgeries for 8,412 dogs and cats last year. The subsidies also cover animal welfare groups, independent rescuers, and teams that carry out mobile sterilization services in remote areas.

UDN and Commercial Times reported Wednesday the city’s Agricultural Bureau Director Yao Chih-wang (姚志旺) as saying dogs and cats are increasingly seen as family members. Yao said rising animal welfare awareness and policy outreach have helped more owners understand the benefits of sterilization.

The director also warned that unsterilized dogs and cats face higher risks of behavior problems, accidental breeding, and reproductive diseases, and urged owners to arrange sterilization early. Yao said source control and breeding management are key to building an animal-friendly city.