ILOILO – Warning pet owners that failure to comply with the law carries penalties, the Iloilo provincial government has intensified the enforcement of mandatory anti-rabies vaccination and registration of dogs and cats as it accelerates efforts to achieve a rabies-free province by 2030.
The Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVet) renewed its call for all owners of rabies-susceptible animals to have their pets vaccinated annually and registered with their respective barangays, citing Provincial Ordinance No. 2018-177, or the Responsible Ownership Ordinance of the Province of Iloilo.
The renewed campaign comes as the province seeks to protect communities from the fatal but preventable disease while boosting responsible pet ownership across all 43 local government units (LGUs).
OPVet reiterated two major obligations under the ordinance.
The first is the compulsory vaccination of all rabies-susceptible pets, making it unlawful to keep any dog or cat that has not been vaccinated against rabies.
Initial vaccination must be followed by annual revaccination in coordination with the city or municipal veterinary or agriculture office.
The ordinance also provides penalties for pet owners who refuse to have their animals vaccinated.
The second requirement is the compulsory registration of domesticated pets.
Under the ordinance, all dogs and cats must be registered with the Office of the Punong Barangay. It is unlawful for any owner to keep or control a dog or cat without first registering the animal in the barangay where the owner resides.
Barangay officials are likewise mandated to notify residents of the registration requirement within a reasonable period after the ordinance’s implementation.
“Your barangay is responsible for notifying all residents about this registration provision. Get your pet a ticket to official recognition. Responsible pet ownership is not just about caring for our pets; it’s also about respecting and protecting our community. Let’s eliminate the threat of rabies and ensure a harmonious environment for everyone,” according to OPVet.
Provincial data showed Iloilo has an estimated dog population of 337,953 this year. The provincial government aims to vaccinate at least 70 percent of the canine population through a free vaccination campaign conducted in partnership with the province’s 43 LGUs.
To support the program, the provincial government allocated P10 million for the purchase of 19,832 vials of anti-rabies vaccine, enough to immunize at least 70 percent of the province’s dog population.
OPVet urged LGUs to allocate additional funds to procure more vaccines for dogs not covered by the provincial allocation. Pet owners were also encouraged to have their dogs and cats vaccinated at private veterinary clinics to help sustain the province’s drive toward eliminating rabies by 2030./PN
