In observance of Rabies Awareness Month, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna is inviting residents with pets to avail of the free anti-rabies vaccination regularly offered by the city government across many venues.
Lacuna said the local government has a vaccination program for pet dogs and cats being carried out in the city hall by the Manila Health Department (MHD) under doctor Arnold Pangan.
This is separate from the free vaccination offered during the regular “Kalinga sa Maynila” that goes directly to barangays.
Lacuna said there are eight kinds of free treatments at the city hall’s animal bite clinic, Sta. Ana Hospital under Director Dr. Grace Padilla, and in seven health centers being run by the MHD.
The mayor said the purpose of the program is to help provide safety not only for the pets concerned but moreso for the members of the community themselves.
Lacuna, who also happens to be a doctor, stressed the importance of availing of free anti-rabies vaccination if one has pets, noting that rabies can be transmitted from animals to humans and may cause death.
Pets that have been vaccinated enjoy better protection and become healthier and more active, according to the mayor, who herself has pet dogs.