The local government on Tuesday reminded the public to avail of the free anti-rabies vaccination for their pets, as the city attempted to exceed its 2021 figures when 53,000 animals were inoculated.

In an interview, Dr. Silario Bested, chief of the city’s veterinary and agriculture office, said the vaccination is done the whole year from Monday to Friday either at the city veterinary office in the slaughter compound or by schedule in different barangays.

From April 1 to 8, the city veterinary office announced the anti-rabies vaccination for dogs and cats in barangays Loakan Apugan, Atok Trail, Imelda, Loakan Liwanag, and Loakan Proper.

“This is part of the program to control rabies, matagal na even before pa na may free vaccination sa office and sa barangays (giving the free vaccine at the office and in barangays has been a long-time project) as our contribution to eliminating rabies in the Philippines by 2030,” Bested said.

The City Council earlier passed Ordinance 19-2021 or the Responsible Dog Ownership Ordinance which requires owners to perform acts for the welfare of the animals and the people.

Bested said the city continues to record low rabies cases, with only two animal rabies cases logged in 2021, and no human rabies case so far.

He said even amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic when many residents have opted to become fur parents, no cases of rabies have been recorded among humans.

“More educated ang tao ngayon, marami na ang nagpapabakuna ng aso ngayon. Last year may more than 53,000 na nagpabakuna sa atin, iba pa ang mga nagdadala sa private veterinary clinics (the people now are more educated and many are bringing their pets for vaccination. The city government vaccinated more than 53,000 last year aside from those who opt to get the services of private veterinary clinics),” Bested said.

He said the people have become aware of their responsibility as fur parents to have their pets vaccinated.

He added that a dog that is at least three months old and above must receive the first dose of the anti-rabies vaccine and a booster shot every year.

“Just bring the dog to the office or wait for the schedule at the different barangays,” he said.

Aside from vaccination, Bested said the city ordinance requires the mandatory registration of dogs and the putting of dog tags for easier identification of the animals as well as easier recovery and identification of owners when the pets are lost.

Registration is paid at PHP50 per dog which also entitles the owner to a registration certificate.

Bested said more than 6,000 dogs are now registered with them. (PNA)