by Adelle Louise R. Tined and Sophia Isabel P. Quintana
The Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMA), under the Municipal Government of Los Baños, held a vaccination and pet registration drive at Barangay Baybayin last January 30, 2020. The event ran from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The activity is part of the local government’s initiative to reduce incidences of rabies.
According to Barangay Kagawad Chona Palacpac, pet vaccination is beneficial. “Maganda ang benefits ng naturukan ng anti-rabies kasi once na naka-kagat yung aso nila hindi naman ganoon katindi yung rabies, unlike yung mga aso na walang turok na rabies.” (There are good benefits from getting vaccinated with anti-rabies because once a dog bites [someone], the effects won’t be as severe unlike to that of a dog with no anti-rabies vaccination).
Pet owners line up and wait for their turn. Photo from Barangay Baybayin Updates FB page
Pets registered with the local government are entitled to free services, such as annual vaccination and deworming.
An ordinance of the Municipal Government of Los Baños requires pet registration toward monitoring of pet population and protecting community members from untoward incidents. Should an unregistered dog bite somebody, its owner will need to pay a fine of Php2,000.
Starting last year, a registration fee of Php50 is collected per pet. Palacpac said the fee caused fewer people to come during the registration, as compared to the previous years when everything was provided and pet owners did not have to pay for anything.
For dogs to get vaccinated, the OMA said that they should be at least three months old. Pregnant dogs will need to give birth first and rest for a month before they can be given the anti-rabies vaccine.
The vaccination and pet registration drive was also scheduled in the following locations:
- Lalakay – Jan. 31
- Tadlac – Feb. 4
- Mayondon – Feb. 5