BAGUIO CITY – The City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO) reported a 100.44 percent vaccination rate for dogs and cats after the local government was able to vaccinate some 40,176 animals compared to the target of only 40,000.
City Veterinarian Dr. Silardo Bested said that the dog registration campaign saw exceptional results with 13,529 registrations completed which was a remarkable 270.58 percent of the earlier target.
Fortunately, he claimed that the monitoring of rabies cases showed that there were no reported incidents that emphasized the local government’s anti-rabies program success in maintaining vigilance and preventive measures.
Further other activities that were conducted included the treatment, vaccination and deworming of animals which reached 3,527 cases and exceeding the target by 124.23 percent.
On the other hand, disease monitoring and surveillance were conducted as needed with eight cases addressed and 279 blood or swab samples collected for laboratory examination.
The city veterinarian stipulated that enforcement of regulatory laws resulted in 143 instances of compliance checks, showcasing the program’s commitment to animal welfare and public health.
Moreover, population control efforts were also prioritized by the local government where some 3,046 stray dogs were impounded across barangays, achieving a 101.53 percent of the target, while 4,108 dogs and cats underwent neutering which achieved a 102.7 percent of the set goal.
Bested emphasized that the said report showcases the program’s proactive approach and dedication to achieving and surpassing its targets, reflecting a commitment to animal welfare, public health and community safety.
According to him, through the said activity, the local government provided essential veterinary care to working forces, ensuring their health and well being.
He noted that local veterinary students also gained hands-on experience, building skills to continue the said vital role.
Earlier, the International Veterinary Outreach collaborated with the CVAO to strengthen its ability to sustain long-term animal welfare initiatives. By Dexter A. See
