Davao City intensifies antirabies vaccination

THE City Veterinarian’s Office (CVO) of Davao City has intensified its rabies vaccination program following the arrival of 10,463 vials of vaccines.

Dr. Gay Pallar, chief of the Animal Husbandry and Disease Control Division, said the CVO is targeting 100,000 animals for vaccination this year.

“For November, we are in full force for our rabies vaccination since 10,643 vials of rabies vaccines have arrived. If we multiply this by ten, more or less 100,000 dogs and cats could be catered to,” Pallar said.

She said there has been a delay in the delivery of the bulk of the vaccine, which is why they will focus more on vaccination this month and would “lie low” on other services such as castration.

As of October, the CVO has vaccinated a total of 75,395 cats and dogs for the year.

She said that anti-rabies vaccination has to be intensified because the city is at high risk of rabies due to stray dogs or cats.

“As you can see every day at the (CHO Animal Bite Center), a lot of people are availing of vaccines, including those who had animal bites. This is why we are intensifying our rabies prevention for our dogs and cats because vaccines for people are much more costly compared to the vaccines for dogs and cats against rabies,” she said.

She added that Davaoeños may check with their respective barangay for the schedule and the place where to bring their pets.

“Pet owners can also bring their syringe and disposable needles if they want,” Pallar said.

She is also encouraging the public to keep an eye on their pets and care for them by providing good food and adequate shelter to prevent them from straying and scavenging for food in garbage dumps.

She added that the CVO has received numerous requests from homeowners to impound stray dogs in subdivisions and other residential areas.

“We have impounding vehicles roaming around to impound dogs and cats, at least to control rabies from spreading here in Davao City,” Pallar said.

In claiming their animals from the impounding site in Malagos, Baguio District, owners are required to pay a P500 impounding fee and an additional P50 per day.

If not claimed for three days, the animals are euthanized because, Pallar said, the city has no budget to take care of the stray animals for a time.

The CVO’s facility for animal rehabilitation, meanwhile, will have its full operation next year with the approval of its operational cost under the 2023 budget.

The selected impounded animals will be rehabilitated and will be up for adoption by eligible individuals.