spot_img
25.9 C
Philippines
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Makati sustains anti-rabies drive

- Advertisement -

With the thrust of Makati Mayor Abby Binay to keep the city rabies-free, the city Veterinary Services Office had given free vaccinations to nearly 24,000 household pets from 21 barangays and rescued over 1,000 stray animals in the first six months of the year.

In its mid-year report to the mayor, the VSO also reported 913 pets micro-chipped for free, bringing up the total number of micro-chipped pets to 5,909 since the landmark project was launched in October 2017.

The mayor called on residents to be responsible pet owners and have their pets immunized and micro-chipped for free by VSO teams who visit their barangays on scheduled dates.

Mayor Abby Binay

“We ask Makatizens to cooperate with our VSO teams conducting house-to-house visits to give free anti-rabies shots and microchip household pets. Rabies is deadly, and it is up to you to protect your families and communities against it,” Mayor Abby said.

Makati was the first local government unit in Southeast Asia to implement citywide pet microchipping in October 2017, a little over a year after Mayor Abby took office.

- Advertisement -

The microchip has a 15-digit code readable with a microchip scanner. When the code is entered into the database, it reveals the owner’s name as well as the pet’s vaccination records. Aside from facilitating the identification of pets and their owners, the program helps owners and bite victims avoid spending for redundant or unnecessary rabies vaccination.

VSO chief Dr. Ma. Katherina Mangahas said her office will conduct a Rabies Awareness Campaign in all public schools in the city this month. Before year-end, it will also hold a livelihood training on pet grooming to provide an affordable pet grooming option for pet owners, and a source of additional income for residents.

The VSO will also hold a community assembly in various barangays to promote Responsible Pet Ownership among residents, she added.

Mangahas reported that from Jan. 1 to June 30, the VSO had vaccinated 23,720 pets from 21 barangays in the city and provided free spay and castration services to 147 pets under its Animal Health Program.

In the same period, 1,103 stray animals were rescued from city streets. Under the Stray Animal Management Program, rescued animals were temporarily sheltered at the city pound at Malugay St., Brgy. San Antonio.

Citizens who are interested to adopt rescued animals must submit a Good Moral Certificate, original and photocopy of the Income Tax Return of the applicant, picture of the cage or shelter of the desired pet, picture of the applicant’s residence, photocopy of two valid government IDs, a recent passport-size ID picture, and a notarized adoption form to the city pound.

After validating the submitted requirements, the city pound will conduct an inspection at the residence of the applicant. Once approved, the applicant can take home the chosen pet.

Unredeemed animals whose health condition and behavior poses a threat to other animals are euthanized and sanitarily disposed through cremation at the city-owned pet crematorium. The facility was completed in August 2018 and became fully operational starting January this year.

Meanwhile, meats for sale within Makati have also been guaranteed safe and fresh by the Meat Inspection Division of the VSO. Under its Meat Regulation and Control Program, the division has monitored 1,179 meat establishments that sell fresh, frozen, and processed meats in groceries and public markets. 

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles