BACOLOD City — The city government has vaccinated more than 17,000 dogs and cats in the early first quarter of this year, underscoring the impact of its intensified anti-rabies campaign.
Data from the City Veterinary Office (CVO) showed that a total of 17,522 pets were vaccinated from January 16 to March 18, with house-to-house services accounting for the bulk of the coverage.
Of the total, 16,984 pets were vaccinated through the city’s door-to-door campaign, while 538 animals received anti-rabies shots through office walk-ins and outreach activities.
Dogs comprised the majority of vaccinated animals at 13,963, while cats accounted for 3,559.
The CVO attributed the campaign’s success to its proactive house-to-house strategy, which enabled veterinary teams to reach more households and ensure wider protection against rabies.
Mayor Greg Gasataya commended Assistant City Veterinarian Dr. Janine Sarthou and the CVO team for their dedication to safeguarding both public health and animal welfare.
“Their commitment ensures the safety of our communities and the well-being of our beloved furbabies,” the mayor said.
Sarthou said the CVO is targeting the vaccination of at least 100,000 dogs in 2026, surpassing last year’s accomplishment of over 80,000.
The expanded campaign comes amid heightened vigilance against rabies cases, with authorities emphasizing that vaccination remains the most effective preventive measure.
The intensified house-to-house vaccination drive was officially launched on February 18, starting in Barangay Granada, and continues to roll out across various barangays.
The CVO is scheduled to conduct vaccinations in Barangay Sum-ag from March 23 to 27 as part of its ongoing efforts.
Sarthou urged pet owners to take part in the free vaccination program, stressing that community cooperation is key to achieving a rabies-free, safer, and more pet-friendly city./PN
