SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna – The city government has opened its first ever pet evacuation center, a rescue center for animals in the event of disaster or calamity, as part of the city’s disaster preparedness programs.
City Veterinarian Dr. Farah Jayne Orsolino on Friday said the city government’s initiative was undertaken in collaborative partnership with the City Veterinary Office, Social Welfare and Development, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Department of Education.
“Ayon kay Mayor Loreto Amante hindi lamang mga tao ang kailangan pangalagaan at proteksyunan sa oras ng sakuna o kalamidad, kundi maging mga alagang hayop na rin (According to Mayor Loreto Amante, it’s not only the people who need to be taken care of and given protection in times of disaster or calamity but also the pet animals),” Orsolino said.
The city government’s initiative is also in support of the provisions of Republic Act 8485, or the “Animal Welfare Act of 1998,” which promotes and safeguards the welfare and well-being of animals.
The city government’s initiative, though limited to pet dogs and cats, also supports the welfare and rights of these pets as enshrined in the law that they be given their basic freedom from hunger or thirst; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury or disease; freedom to express normal behavior and freedom from fear and distress, especially during emergency situations.
Orsolino added that the pet owners could temporarily relocate their pets at the designated Pet Rescue Center at the San Pablo Central School, where there are 10 double door cages with a stand-by veterinarian and caretaker during an emergency situation.
She said the pet evacuation center is also provided with pet food, leash, medicine and other animal food supplements.
The move is seen to relieve the stress and burden among pet owners, who may be victims of disaster or calamity and are focused in saving their lives as they move to safer grounds and evacuation centers, in as much as they also want their household pets to be safe. (Saul Pa-a/PNA)
