Free spay and neuter services were given out by the Department of Agriculture–CAR (DA-CAR) in partnership with Benguet State University (BSU) College of Veterinary Medicine, Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO)–Benguet, and Baguio City Veterinary Office (CVO) on March 24, 2017.
The activity, spearheaded by BSU, was a one-day event held at the BSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital (BSU-VTH).
For cats, 18 were spayed and 13 were castrated with one death was recorded among the spayed cats. Four were spayed and ten were castrated in dogs which bring all serviced animals to a total of 46 neutered animals.
“The activity is in support to the rabies-free campaign, wherein the target is to eradicate rabies in the Philippines by 2020. However, this would not be attained with the incessant increase in the number of cats and dogs, especially unwanted ones that become strays. But by neutering pets, this helps in the containment and reduction of the population of these animals,” says Dr. Janice Penchon, Veterinarian II, BSU-CVM.
“Aside from that, the procedure aids in reducing aggression lowers the risk to cancer, and increases the lifespan of your pets,” she added.
Dr. Richard Dumapis, the BSU Rabies Coordinator, mentions that they want to sustain these extension programs as part of the academe. “We want to expose the students to these kinds of government activities so that when they go out, they are more or less acquainted with the government programs,” he says.
Dr.Dumapis also hopes that this activity is sustained with the help of the concerned agencies.
The DA-CAR continues to celebrate the Rabies Awareness month at Apayao on March 28-29, Ifugao on April 4-5, and a veterinary mission at Bontoc, Mt. Province on April 6-7. Free anti-rabies vaccinations will also be given to selected barangays in Baguio City. For more information regarding the vaccination centers, contact CVO Baguio.
By Ayra Galanza
