BACOLOD CITY — The City Veterinary Office (CVO) has administered free mass rabies vaccination on more than 80 percent of the dog population here in the past two years.
City veterinarian, Dr. Maria Agueda de la Torre, said in a media briefing on Monday that the total number of dogs vaccinated in the city in 2016 and 2017 is higher than the national target vaccination performance of 70 percent.
“The target is not less than 70 percent. For three years in a row, (we expect to reach) more than 80 percent,” de la Torre said.
Bacolod has a dog population of about 54,000.
CVO records showed that in 2016, a total of 46,126 dogs were given rabies vaccination, equivalent to 85.41 percent, and in 2017, 47,577 dogs or 88.1 percent.
This year, the CVO is on track to hit more than 80 percent, with mass vaccination initially scheduled in the city’s 21 rural barangays between January and August.
From the last week of January to March 15, a total of 11,841 dogs, or 21.9 percent of the city’s dog population, have already been vaccinated.
De la Torre said the mass rabies vaccination is free, but walk-in pet owners would be charged PHP50 for the issuance of a vaccination card.
For this year, the CVO has so far not recorded any documented case of rabies. “We received a report, but we disregarded it since there were no supporting details,” de la Torre said.
In 2017, the CVO recorded three positive cases of rabies among canines.
In observance of Rabies Awareness Month this March, the CVO cooperated with the Community Animal Rescue Efforts, Inc. for the conduct of mass vaccination and spaying or neutering at the group’s animal clinic earlier this month.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture 6 (Western Visayas) has recognized three performing partner-organizations and agencies in Bacolod in rabies prevention and control.
Barangay Granada has been cited for its rabies control and prevention program, while Responsible Dog Owners of Bacolod and Community Animal Rescue Efforts received certificates of appreciation. (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)
