Working towards a rabies-free city

CEBU, Philippines – As Lapu-Lapu City is targeting to be rabies-free by 2016, almost 7,500 dogs in the city's barangays have undergone recent anti-rabies vaccinations.

Free vaccination was implemented in the 30 barangays of Lapu-Lapu City, including 19 in the mainland and 11 in the coastal areas.

Dr. Janice Togonon said that they are targeting the vaccination of all dogs in each barangay. A team from her office stays two days in every barangay to conduct vaccination.  Of the 11,118 dogs, 75 percent were given the vaccine plus other services offered by the City Veterinarian's Office.

In a press conference, Togonon said they have started their massive dog vaccine shots last April and ended it last September 25.

A special veterinary mission was made last July 28 in which Togonon and her team administered vaccine operations on 524 dogs and 16 cats, she added.

The resident city veterinarian disclosed she waived the registration fee of P75 and other fees in order to attract more pet owners and to encourage them to let their dogs get anti-rabies shots.

The city had allocated P300,000 for free anti-rabies vaccinations and the program is supported by the Department of Health and Provincial Veterinary Clinic.

Togonon said they are also collaborating with private clinics in reaching out to more pet owners in the city. She added that they also administer free vaccinations to cats.

"We are happy that the people of Lapu-Lapu have become more aware about rabies," she said.

According to Togonon, dogs as young as three months old can already be given anti-rabies shots.

She added that the septic tank for the dog's remains has reached its limit, thus there's a temporary hold in catching stray dogs while they look for a site where dogs that are subject to euthanasia or mercy-killing can be buried.

Last July, at least 524 dogs and 16 cats were given free services in Lapu-Lapu City's recent veterinary medical mission organized by the Office of the City Veterinarian at the city auditorium.

The vet-med mission is held annually every month of July, said Togonon. The activity, she added, complements their Rabies Control and Elimination Program, giving pet owners opportunity to avail of services for their pets such as castration, anti-rabies vaccination, deworming, vitamin supplementation and consultation.

A total of 1,015 dogs have undergone the free animal services though the same initiative last year.