ANGELES CITY - In his continuing efforts to put premium in promoting the welfare of animals, Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Carmelo Lazatin Jr. alloted ₱6 million for the free neutering of the city’s cats and dogs, which will begin this August.
Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel said that the city government, through the City Veterinary Office, aims to neuter 1,000 cats and dogs prioritizing those who are currently housed at the city’s animal pound that will be up for adoption once they received the neutering.
“Target namin na ma-castrate and ma-spay ang 1,000 cats and dogs. Sisimulan natin yung first batch ngayong August 5,” she added.
Manuel furthered that she had coordinated with Lazatin’s Chief Adviser and Tactician Director IC Calaguas, and City Veterinary Officer Dr. Christian Arcilla to initiate this program.
“The original plan was to neuter stray cats and dogs found in the City Hall compound,” Manuel said.
Lazatin’s Chief Adviser and Tactician Director IC Calaguas reiterated that the administration targets for zero stray dogs and cats by the year 2020.
Meanwhile, according to Dr. Christian Arcilla, the neutering or the removal of an animal’s reproductive organ, is the most common method for animal sterilization.
Male animals are castrated, while female animals are spayed, Arcilla shared.
“Ginawa namin ito para ma-control yung population at pagdami ng mga stray animals sa syudad, para maiwasan na rin yung pagkalat ng rabies,” he said.
Furthermore, to intensify the city government’s policies for animal welfare, the Lazatin administration is promoting awareness on the importance of responsible pet ownership, Manuel said.
“Through the city’s free-neutering program for cats and dogs, Angeleños who aren’t financially capable of having their pets spayed or castrated will now have a chance to do so,” she added.
Aside from the free neutering of 1,000 cats and dogs, part of the alloted budget will be used to provide free anti-rabies vaccines for 30,000 pets in the city.
Angeleños who are interested in having their pets neutered or injected for rabies, should schedule an appointment beforehand with the City Veterinary Office, through their official Facebook page.
Meanwhile, the city government also wants to tap non-government organizations, and veterinary clinics in the city to join their cause in driving awareness about neutering.
FREE NEUTERING OF DOGS AND CATS. Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel on July 30, 2020 coordinates with City Veterinary Officer Dr. Christian Arcilla for the preparation of the free neutering of the city’s cats and dogs, which will begin this August.