BORONGAN CITY (PIA) — As part of the efforts of the local government of Eastern Samar to curb the spread of rabies in the province, a free neutering service for dogs and cats is being offered at the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) in Borongan City which started January 13.
According to Dr. Melanie Osita, assistant provincial veterinarian, the initiative is in response to the alarming increase in rabies cases in the province last year.
From January to May 2024, the province recorded three deaths due to rabies, which was the total death count for the entire year 2023. This prompted Gov. Ben Evardone to declare the province under a state of calamity due to rabies last year.
“Usa nga purpose hin nga aton panmisit is ma-limit, mapahabubo an populasyon han kaayaman ngan kaudingan ngan at the same time ma-prevent an pagdamo han rabies cases,” Osita said.
(One purpose of our neutering program is to limit and reduce the population of stray animals and, at the same time, prevent the increase in rabies cases.)
Osita informed that based on the latest inventory, there are already approximately 29,000 dogs and cats in the province as of 2024.
Aside from the free neutering program, the provincial government will continue to offer various programs, including free vaccination and free immunization all over Eastern Samar.
The Office of the Municipal Agricultural Services of all LGUs in the province will spearhead the mass immunization efforts in the following months.
Osita added that the PVO is currently negotiating with various municipalities to schedule neutering services in several Eastern Samar LGUs.
Nicole Fanoga, a resident of Borongan City, was one of the clients. She brought her dog Choco to the PVO to avail of the free neutering program.
Fanoga was grateful for availing the neutering services for free as it costs P3,000 in private veterinary offices.
“Gusto gihap nam humilaba it kinabuhi tam dog, so amon na ginga-grab in nga inisyatibo hit Provincial Veterinary Office,” Fanoga added.
She also shared that Choco also availed of the green deworming program.
The free neutering service will continue as long as anesthetic supplies are available.
Interested pet owners must visit the PVO to schedule the operation.
They will only accommodate up to 10 animals per day. (VTG/PIA Eastern Samar)
