More responsible pet owners in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Efforts to promote responsible pet ownership in Cebu province have showed ‘good results,’ according to the Provincial Veterinary’s Office – what with the decrease in the number of rabies-infected canines compared to the previous years.

Based on the office’s records from January to October this year, only five of the 152 samples submitted tested positive of rabies infection.

Leah Cayetano, agricultural technologist of PVO, said this can be considered a significant decrease compared to the 11 positive cases last year and the 16 positive cases in 2012, all from the same time period.

Records show further that the most number of positive cases among dogs was in 2008 from January to October with 42 cases followed by 2011 with 35 cases.

The records of the office include those from towns and cities in the province except those from Cebu City, Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu. If the three urbanized cities would be included, the number of positive canine rabies cases for 2013 would reach 42. Of this number, 31 are from the three cities.  

Cayetano said they determine the number of cases based on the samples submitted to the Regional Animal Diagnostic Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture-7 at M. Velez  Street, Cebu City. 

The samples submitted are from dogs that have actually bitten humans.

According to Cayetano, the decreasing trend shows that the efforts they have been carrying out to promote responsible pet ownership have been paying off since more owners have brought their pets in for anti-rabies shots.

She said the mere fact that the office is getting more samples today means more pet owners care for the welfare of their dogs. More owners are also aware of the things that need to be done to prevent their dogs from biting people, including putting them on a leash or containing them within a secured area.

“Nakaingon jud mi na ni-work gyud siya,” Cayetano said, referring to the activities being undertaken weekly like  information  education campaigns in schools and Local Government Units that include film showing and forums on responsible pet ownership.

The PVO also conducts free spay and neuter activities across the province and give out vitamin supplements to animals.

Based on a previous report, the Camotes group of islands and Malapascua Island in Daanbantayan town have been declared rabies-free zones in 2011. —JMO (FREEMAN)