Maasin Embarks on Massive Dog Registration

Maasin City, Southern, Leyte (PNA) -– The city veterinary office here will conduct a dog registration in all of the city’s 70 villages to determine dog population.

City Veterinarian Rey Alinsub said they have already started the distribution of registration forms in some areas in the city last week. This activity will continue until all forms filled up by pet owners are gathered.

The official admitted that dog registration in the city was not a priority in the past. General dog castration was rare and these activities were being done by veterinarians based on request of pet owners.

Perception of the local government officials on dogs and cats as common carriers of rabies, plus the occurrence of road accidents triggered by stray dogs has changed the perception about pets, according to Alinsub.

Along with registration, he also advised dog owners to bring their pets either at the City Veterinary office or Provincial Veterinary Services for a yearly anti-rabies vaccine.

“Anti-rabies vaccinated dogs should be kept at home and not allow to roam on the streets,” the city veterinarian added.

“If bitten by infected dogs while roaming around, vaccinated dogs would also endanger potential victims. And that would involve an economic burden on the part of owners since it is their responsibility to buy anti-rabies vaccines for human if these are no longer available in the city,” he added.

The dog registration in all of the city’s villages will be conducted for three months. (PNA) FFC/SQM/QUIRICO M. GORPIDO JR./EGR