ANGELES CITY — A total of 52 cats and dogs received free spaying and neutering from the Angeles City Government today, November 27, as part of Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr.’s advocacy to put premium in animal welfare.
This is in line with the mass spaying and neutering program of the city government, free of charge.
To date, 614 cats and dogs already underwent free neutering and spaying since the kick-off of the program in August, Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel said.
Lazatin’s Chief Adviser and Tactician Director IC Calaguas said the city government allotted P5 million for the free neutering and spaying of 1,000 pets, as well as free anti-rabies vaccines for 30,000 pets in the city.
Just today, the City Veterinary Office headed by Dr. Christian Arcilla, along with 12 veterinary doctors in the city voluntarily offered their free service to the city government for the mass spaying and neutering program.
The private veterinary doctors are Dr. Joanna Marimla; Dr. Mocca Gonzales; Dr. Marc Ian Gonzales; Dr. Jennifer Bati; Dr. Lorielyn Galindez; Dr. Precy Magtoto; Dr. John Christopher Mangalus; Dr. Amiel Angeles; Dr. John Luis Aguceta; Dr. Michelle Tulabut; Dr. Mya Leana Abaoag; and Dr. Marjorie Carreon.
Manuel stressed that the free neutering and spaying campaign, initiated back in August thru the City Veterinary Office, aims to help more Angeleños become more responsible pet owners.
“Gusto nating tulungan yung mga kababayan natin mas maging responsible pet owners, lalo na yung mga hindi afford na ipa-spay or ipa-neuter ang mga alaga nila,” she said.
The said program, Manuel added, started with stray animals housed at the City Hall Animal Pound.
Moreover, Dr. Arcilla explained that spaying and castration are “two of the most effective means of animal sterilization, can help control unwanted animal population, and the spread of rabies.”
Any pet owner who wishes to avail the service for their cats and dogs can book an appointment with the City Veterinary Office, or message their Facebook page.
Calaguas, together with Manuel and Dr. Arcilla on November 27, 2020 awarded the Certificates of Appreciation to the 12 volunteer veterinary doctors who rendered their free service during the free neutering and spaying for cats and dogs.
Meanwhile, Lazatin also appropriated P10 million for the improvement of the City Animal Pound.
He said that the city government also targets to have zero stray dogs and cats in the city by 2022.
Lazatin is encouraging Angeleños to adopt instead of shopping for new pets.
“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,” he shared.
The City Veterinary Office will screen qualified “furparents.” Once their adoption is approved, they will be regularly visited to ensure the welfare of the animal they adopted.