More than 3,000 pet owners in Makati have benefitted from the resumption of free anti-rabies vaccination operation conducted by the city government in observance of Rabies Awareness Month.
The city’s Veterinary Services Office gave free anti-rabies shots to 3,481 pet dogs and cats in a house-to-house vaccination drive conducted since March 1 in various barangays.
In a report to Mayor Abigail Binay, city chief veterinarian Dr. Ma. Katherina Mangahas said her office also conducted an information drive in the nine barangays covered to date, to raise the awareness of residents on rabies prevention and responsible pet ownership.
Streamers bearing the theme “Rabies Iwasan, Alaga’y Pabakunahan” were put up in front of barangay halls, health centers and schools, while leaflets were also given to residents whose pets were vaccinated, Mangahas said.
Binay thanked the residents who supported the drive and had their pets vaccinated by VSO personnel.
“I am glad that many of our constituents responded positively to our campaign against rabies. Let us continue to support the efforts of our city veterinary office to protect Makatizens from this deadly disease,” she said.
VSO reports showed that Barangay Bangkal got the highest number of pets vaccinated, with 987 followed by Comembo, 794; Singkamas, 333; Valenzuela, 309; La Paz, 295; Sta. Cruz, 292; Tejeros, 215; Carmona, 133; and Urdaneta, 123.
Mangahas said the drive will be conducted in East Rembo beginning Wednesday until the end of the month.
The VSO conducted the house-to-house anti-rabies drive in coordination with officials of the barangays, which sent their health workers to assist the vaccination team.
Last February, the VSO also conducted house-to-house anti-rabies vaccination and survey in two barangays in each district to determine the actual number of pets for micro-chipping. In District 1, VSO personnel vaccinated and surveyed a total of 1,094 pets in Pio del Pilar and 330 in San Antonio. In District 2, a total of 2,287 pets were accounted for and vaccinated in Rizal, and 1,804 in Pembo.
The “micro-chipping” of pet dogs in the city was one of the projects incorporating technology that Mayor Binay revealed to be among her priorities when she assumed office last July.
“I want Makati to be truly rabies-free. Pet dogs will be micro-chipped upon registration with our city veterinary office. Then we will be able to identify irresponsible pet owners who let their pets roam freely on the streets where they can bite people or defecate, both of which pose health risks,” she said.
MVSO also offers free anti-rabies vaccination during the Makati Lingkod Bayan Caravan held twice a month.