CVO head Dr. Cerelyn Pinili, during the recent I-Speak media forum said that her office has recorded an estimated 150,434 dog population in the city. Of this number, 60,458 dogs were given free anti-rabies vaccines under the CVO’s Rabies Control Program.
She said they are targetingq 105,304 dogs or 70 percent of the dogs population to be vaccinated.
To regulate the number of pets in the city under the office’s Population Control Program, a total of 3,655 cats and dogs were either spayed or neutered so far this year.
Impounding of stray dogs is also being carried out through the said program.
Pinili said the city can now temporarily house more dogs because of the added space in the Malagos District dog pound which opened in June last year.
The dog pound in Barangay Maa can accommodate 80 dogs and at least 130 in Malagos.
The city, meanwhile, will soon open its very first dog rehabilitation center in Malagos. She said the building for the center is already finished and is estimated to start operations next year.
The rehabilitation center can accommodate 20 dogs to be chosen from the city’s pounds. These dogs are to be nursed back to health and put up for adoption.
The CVO is also conducting a community-level information and education campaign on responsible pet ownership.
“Have your dogs vaccinated, and ayaw gyud ipalatagaw ang mga iro ninyo. I-leash nato. Dapat naka-confine lang gyud sa inyong balay, Pinili said.
She urged pet owners to avail of free anti-rabies vaccines for their pets offered at 10 CVO district centers all over the city or at the CVO main office at Magallanes Street. Anti-rabies shots are available every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pet owners can also bring their pets to the CVO main office Tuesdays and Thursdays during office hours to avail of free spaying or neutering.
The City Veterinarian’s Office during castration and anti-rabies vaccination for domestic animals at Brgy. Daliao Gym last month. File Photo from City Vet
Facebook Conversations