Many of us live and work in residential and commercial developments that feature underground and other types of communal car parks. These and public areas nearby often attract stray cats that seek shelter from the elements in the relatively dry and protected spaces. In many cases, residents and workers essentially adopt these strays as communal cats, feeding and caring for them on a regular basis. Sadly, not everyone shares this kindness toward animals, but one should think twice before attempting to remove them.

Greenbelt, Bonifacio High Street, and many other areas would be a lot more boring without the presence of well-cared-for community furballs filling the places with cuteness and purrs. While the people in charge of these areas have understood that allowing a well-managed cat population is a good thing, the same can’t be said for many residents of other commercial and residential buildings.

All too often, feral felines are seen as a nuisance, with car drivers concerned that paws and claws may cause damage to their beloved vehicles. The truth is that cats are very unlikely to cause any kind of harm to your vehicle. Most of the time, they will hide below cars, but even if they decide to check out hoods and roofs, a few paw prints and—if you’re really unlucky—surface claw marks that polish out easily should be the only evidence left behind.

Cats are, however, good for the places they frequent in other ways. As natural hunters, they control rodent populations. Rats not only carry all sorts of diseases, but also like to use warm engine bays as places of shelter. Once there, it’s not uncommon to see them chew through wires and casings, causing all sorts of damage—sometimes costing thousands of pesos in repairs. Having a few cats patrolling the area should keep them in check (and your car protected from this far more serious threat).

Then there are the more human benefits of having animals around. Looking after cats can increase a sense of community, give us purpose, and create a friendlier atmosphere. Having a set group of communal cats can also prevent other felines from moving into the area, and this, combined with a trap-neuter-return approach, can help manage a local cat population effectively. Programs like these—supported by local groups such as the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)—have shown that sterilizing and returning cats to their territories reduces overpopulation while keeping the ecosystem balanced.

Beyond these practical and social perks, there’s also a legal line you’d be wise not to cross. Removing communal cats from areas such as car parks isn’t just a bad idea—it could land you in serious trouble under the Philippines Animal Welfare Act of 1998 (RA 8485). Section 6 of this law prohibits the maltreatment, neglect, or killing of animals (including strays), with stiff penalties for violators. Anyone caught harming or unjustly removing these cats could face imprisonment of up to two years and fines as high as P100,000. If the act involves cruelty—say, trapping them inhumanely—the penalties climb steeper still, potentially reaching three years in jail and P250,000 in fines under later amendments. These laws reflect a national commitment to animal welfare, and enforcement is no idle threat: Residents and advocates alike have successfully pursued cases against offenders.

So, before you push to evict these feline guardians, consider the full picture. They’re not the enemy—rodents are. They don’t ruin communities—they enrich them. And harming them doesn’t just risk a guilty conscience—it risks a court date. The smart move is to embrace them. Work with neighbors to feed, sterilize, and care for them, and you’ll have a cleaner, happier, and legally sound home.