SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) — In pursuit of a rabies-free Occidental Mindoro, the organization of veterinarians in Mimaropa region spearheaded the first stop of MIMAROPA Initiative-One Time Big Time Plus (MI-OTBT+) activity in the municipality of Magsaysay, supported by the Local Government Units (LGUs) and the Department of Agriculture-Mimaropa.
About 1,587 dogs and cats were given free rabies shots on the house-to-house free rabies vaccination in Brgy. Poblacion.
According to Marcelina Cortez from the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of Magsaysay, the anti-rabies shot will be effective for a year; hence, pet owners are advised to have their pets received anti-rabies shot yearly to keep the virus at bay.
On the other hand, 58 cats and dogs were spayed and castrated during the activity held at the municipal compound.
Castration is done by removing the testicles of male animals while spaying involves removing the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes of female animals to prevent reproduction.
Cortez explained that spaying and castration will both help improve the animals’ health, and will prevent wandering of pets when they are in-heat.
The MI-OTBT+ activity will be held at five (5) municipalities in the province, namely: Magsaysay, Rizal, Sablayan, Sta. Cruz, and Mamburao. A total of 15,000 dogs and cats are expected to receive animal services from the province. (DSG/PIA Mimaropa-OccMin)
