Cebu City Adopts Micro-Chipping of Pets

Cebu City is now adopting micro-chipping of pet cats and dogs, a first in the Province of Cebu.

This week’s Kapihan sa PIA-Cebu, Dr. Alice Utlang of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) said they started implementing the micro-chipping of cats and dogs pets just last August.

The procedure costs the owner P200 for the microchip which will be implanted under the skin.

“The procedure will include implanting the micro chip at the back of the pet’s neck, its mostly painless as the chip is too small, ” Utlang said.

The move is seen to minimize stray cats and dogs which are not only eyesores but are also harmful to the humans.

Although the procedure would cost the owner, there are also instances where it is granted free or under subsidy to those who cannot afford.

The micro-chip will then serve as its permanent identification card of the animal which information is stored in a database.

Because of it, the pet owner will even receive a text message on the vaccination and treatment schedule of the pet. On the other hand, lost pets are most likely to be recovered.

Currently the City Council is drafting an ordinance to institutionalize and to mandate the procedure city-wide.

However in the Province of Cebu, Dr. Mary Rose Vincoy, Utlang’s counterpart said, they have not implemented micro-chipping as it is yet expensive.

She encourages the wealthier municipalities to follow Cebu City.

Micro-chipping is already practiced in some parts of Luzon.

Furthermore both agencies said they regularly conduct free house to house vaccinations of pets.

In Cebu City, the schedules are posted on their Facebook page while in the Municipalities and Cities, these are taken cared off by their local veterinary officers and designates. (fcc/PIA7-Cebu)