City vet still aiming for zero rabies

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City s Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) continues to pursue a rabies-free city.

 Ang atong focus g yud is to eliminate rabies. Unya one way to eliminate is at least 80% of the dog population mabakunahan para dili ta masudlan og rabies,  said DVMF s head, Dr. Alice Utlang, through the City s PIO.

Based on its 2016 survey with the Humane Society International, the city s dog population is at 170,000. At the end of 2024, DVMF was able to vaccinate a total of 120,000 dogs already.

 Last year we were able to vaccinate 62,000 ka mga iro ug iring, then in 2023 lower than mga 10% lang. So, kung imo ng i-add, mga 120,000 kapin  So, kung 170,000 dapat ang atong mabakunahan is naa sa 160,000 so kulang pa,  Utlang said.

With the help of the barangays, DVMF is hoping to achieve their target.

 This year hopefully makuha nato ang target plus tabang pa sa mga barangay,  she added.

DVMF is also looking into the strict implementation of the City Ordinance 2526 (Animal Welfare Ordinance) wherein the registration of dogs is imposed. Registration of a dog means free vaccination against anti-rabies.

 Kung rehistrado imong iro ug iring kana siya makakuha og free rabies vaccine, free deworming. Unya dayon kung magkasakit libre sad ang atoang checkup kay nag-open man ko atong June 23 og Vet Clinic,  Utlang disclosed.

Utlang said that the city s veterinarian clinic is not fancy, but for only ?200, owners of registered dogs can already avail of free consultations and free medicines if needed.|

Along with this, DVMF is also training vaccinators in the barangays to augment their personnel.

DVMF is also intensifying its  Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return  (CNVR) programs to be able to reach their target this year. (CEBU NEWS)