ANGELES CITY – The city government has surpassed its target to spay and neuter 1,000 pets, as Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. continues to push for programs prioritizing animal welfare.
This was confirmed by his Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel, who supervised the mass spaying and neutering program of the city government, free of charge, with Chief Adviser and Tactician IC Calaguas, and City Veterinary Officer-in-Charge Dr. Christian Xyric Arcilla and staff, and some 14 private veterinary doctors who took time and effort to assist the city in this project.
The doctors are Dr. Amiel Angeles; Dr. Jenny Lynn Datud; Dr. Charlene Masiclat; Dr. Kathlyn Contreras; Dr. Marjorie Carreon; Dr. Marc Ian Gonzales; Dr. John Christoper Mangalus; Dr. Rolando Arciga; Dr. Michelle Tulabut; Dr. Mya Leana Aboag; Dr. Raymond Tapnio; Dr. Sheryl Manlapaz; Dr. Catherine Avedoza; and Dr. Carmelie Avila.
Calaguas, an animal lover herself, said this is another first in the history of Angeles City, where the government is looking out for the welfare of animals, providing free, easy, and accessible programs.
According to Dr. Arcilla, this project launched by Mayor Lazatin last August 2020 will help animal birth control, specifically the “unwanted animal population.” This is also a way to stop the increasing case of rabies. In fact, the trap-neuter-return program has prioritized rescued stray pets within the premises of the City Hall compound.
“Ang pag-spay at pag-neuter sa mga alagang hayop ang dalawa sa pinakamabisang paraan ng animal sterilization para ma-kontrol ang unwanted animal population, at maiwasan ang pagkalat ng rabies,” he said.
The city has conducted another batch of mass spaying and neutering of 61 pets on February 25, 2021, reaching a total of 1,023 pets who received the free service from the city government.
Moreover, all rescued dogs and stray animals housed at the City Animal Pound will be put up for adoption once they receive the necessary medical needs including free neutering and anti-rabies vaccine.
The Mayor is targeting zero stray dogs and cats in 2022, where he also encouraged Angeleños to stop shopping for new pets, and instead #AdoptDontShop.
The Lazatin administration, Manuel said, has allotted P6 million for this project as well as for the free mass anti-rabies vaccines for 30,000 pets in the city, which will start in March. The city’s vet doctors and staff will personally come down to the 33 barangays via schedule to perform free anti-rabies vaccine to the animals in the grassroots level.
“This is Mayor Lazatin’s avenue to promote responsible pet ownership, where programs provided are free of charge. Ayaw po natin na may mga hayop na napapabayaan – dahil bawat buhay po ay mahalaga,” Manuel, also an animal lover herself reiterated.
To date, the City Veterinary Office has conducted free anti-rabies vaccination to 2,291 animals – 1,891 dogs and 401 cats. It has also served 2,939 animals for free medical check-ups.
Calaguas said that the City Veterinary Office and is also in constant coordination with the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) to push for the accreditation of the city’s dog pound. Once accredited, the city vet will be in charge of accrediting backyard breeders.
Part also of the priority programs of Mayor Lazatin is the improvement of the City Animal Pound, appropriating P10 million.