The Taguig City government is proactively promoting responsible pet ownership and animal welfare by offering free veterinary services through its Pet Caravan initiative.
Wednesday’s caravan event at Barangay Ibayo-Tipas was organized by the Office of the City Veterinarian.
The organizers offered free veterinary consultations to 187 pets.
Additionally, 104 pets were dewormed, 136 received free vitamin injections, 122 were given anti-rabies vaccinations, 142 pets underwent spaying or neutering, and 28 pets were microchipped to ensure proper identification and enhance the likelihood of being reunited with their owners if they become lost.
An on-site veterinary pharmacy also catered to 175 residents, supplying free vitamins and medications to support the maintenance and improvement of their pets’ overall health.
Sally Bomaras, a 37-year-old pet owner who attended the caravan to ensure her 3-year-old chihuahua “Cooper” was up to date on his anti-rabies vaccination, urged fellow residents to take on the responsibility of pet ownership by ensuring their pets are healthy through the Pet Caravan’s free veterinary services.
“First and foremost, as a pet owner, one must be responsible. This is not only for their own safety but also for the health of their pets. It is essential to keep their anti-rabies vaccinations current, and they can also consider spaying or neutering their pets,” Bomaras said.
Mayor Laarni Cayetano encouraged her constituents to participate in the campaign for responsible pet ownership, particularly in cleaning up after their pets and promoting adoption.
“Please ensure that your pet dogs and cats are vaccinated so that in the event of an accidental bite, we need not worry,” she said.
Cayetano also highlighted other initiatives from the Office of the City Veterinarian, including the “Adopt, Don’t Shop” program.
“There are numerous pets throughout our streets that our City Vet has rescued and that are surrendered. This incurs significant expenses for the city, as you pet owners are aware, right? When hundreds of pets need to be cleaned and fed daily, it adds up. I hope that the residents will consider adding pets to their families and will adopt from our City Vet Office,” she said.
