The City Veterinary and Agricultural Office (CVAO) has vaccinated 17,788 dogs and 6,266 cats targeting an estimated 60,000 registered dogs in the summer capital.
CVAO officials emphasize that the anti-rabies vaccination is an annual campaign highlighting the government’s urgent bid to secure a 100% rabies-free status of Baguio
The initiative is part of the CVAO’s “Responsible Pet Ownership” campaign, which aims to raise awareness of humane animal care, curb incidents of animal cruelty, and control the stray animal population.
Under City Ordinance No. 19, Series of 2021 and the national Animal Welfare Act, or Republic Act 8485, raising a pet carries strict legal and moral obligations, including ensuring access to proper healthcare.
Veterinarian Dr. Wilson Malingan linked the vaccination effort directly to the “5 Freedoms” of animal welfare.
“Kung may alaga po tayo, may alaga po akong aso o pusa, dapat ipapacheck – up po siya kung may sakit. Ipabakuna po po siya sa mga preventable diseases ng mga dogs, for example, yung rabies,” explained Malingan of the third freedom of animal welfare that includes freedom from hunger and thirst, freedom from discomfort, freedom to express normal behavior and freedom from fear and distress.
Malingan clarified that although the existing city ordinance dictates an P80 fee for anti-rabies shots, the service is currently free to residents.
However, dog registration remains mandatory at P50 for a lifetime certificate. Microchipping is also available as an optional service for permanent identification, though Malingan noted the implants do not possess GPS tracking capabilities.
The CVAO official added the local government has structured the campaign to reach pets as early as safely possible to maximize community immunity.
“Ang pagbabakuna ng rabies ay at least 3 months old and above,” Malingan said regarding the age requirements for pets to receive the vaccine.
To ensure comprehensive coverage, the CVAO deploys teams directly into the local communities on a bi-annual schedule.
“Pero yung pagbibisita po namin sa barangay is at least twice a year,” Malingan said. “So from January to June, tinatapos namin yung buong barangay ng Baguio City na nag-vi-visit for rabies vaccination. Then yung second is from July to December, babalik ulit kami sa first barangay para second wave ng vaccination,” Malingan closed. Sean Kimrhed Lardizabal/UC Intern
