View source for Iloilo City’s anti-rabies program vaccinates 9,881 dogs

*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=979685
*Friday, April 14, 2017
:(PNA), ALYSSA A. ILANO – CPU OJT

ILOILO CITY (PNA) -- This city government’s drive to sustain its rabies-free status continues with 9,881 dogs already vaccinated to date.

The vaccination under the Anti-Rabies Program implemented by the City Veterinarian’s Office (CVO) kicked off in February 2017 in Arevalo district and is expected to end in the first week of June in the City Proper district.

“We are taking a pause right now because of the Holy Week but we will resume our work on Monday in Jaro,” said City Veterinarian Dr. Tomas Forteza Jr. on Wednesday. For several weeks, the vaccination was put on hold after the CVO ran out of vaccines.

Last April 4, the CVO received another batch of vaccines coming from the Department of Agriculture (DA).

DA provided 3,255 vials with 10 doses enough to vaccinate 32,550 dogs. The city government also allotted Php1 million for the vaccines.

“Since 2013, we had no cases of rabies in Iloilo City. Our goal is to sustain being a rabies-free city. And the national goal is to completely eliminate rabies in the Philippines by year 2020,” Dr. Forteza said.

As of today, CVO served 81 out of the 180 barangays in Iloilo City. They are hoping to reach the target of vaccinating 70 percent of the total 44,000 dog population before the year ends.

The City Veterinarian’s Office also accepts walk-in rabies vaccinations and free spaying and neutering from 8 am until 5 pm.