Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu vets hold free services for dogs

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu cities are now working to become rabies free.

Lapu-Lapu City veterinarian Dr. Janice Togonon said 1,015 dogs registered and availed of free services during last Sunday’s activity.

Last year, only 568 dogs were registered.

An estimated increase of 50 to 60 percent in the number of dogs that availed of free anti-rabies vaccination and other free services was noted last Sunday.

Togonon said she has noticed that dog owners now have become more responsible for their dogs and this can be seen through the positive feedback during the “Bark for Love” activity.

However, Togonon continues to appeal to dog owners who have not yet registered their dogs at her office.

Togonon said the office hopes the city to be rabies free and to decrease the city’s dog population which now is estimated to have reached 10,214, thus the free ligation and castration.

In another development, more than 200 dogs in Mandaue City were vaccinated yesterday with anti-rabies shots, castrated and ligated.

Other services were given free by the city veterinary office in coordination with some schools and volunteer groups.

Edwin Jumao-as,  senior Mandaue City veterinarian said beneficiary-dogs including “Aspin” or “Asong Pinoy” and foreign breeds such as Husky, Labrador, German Shepherd, Chiwawa, availed of the free services which also included deworming and giving of vitamins.

The activity was held at the Mandaue Sports Complex from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in line with the 14th anniversary celebration of the city veterinary office.

Helping the office were volunteer veterinarians from Southwestern University, provincial veterinary office and Animal Kingdom.

Acting Mayor Demetrio Cortes Jr. in his message urged dog owners to be responsible.

Roy Bickford, Jr. a retired US Air Force officer now residing in barangay Paknaan, and his wife Ma. Adora, brought

their three-month-old German Shepherd and two adopted “aspins” for ligation and other services.

“I love dogs because they act as perfect guards,” he said.

Jumao-as said the activity was successful because of the big turnout, adding that the services if availed of somewhere else would have cost more. (FREEMAN)