ILOILO – Hundreds of pet owners are expected to benefit as the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV) rolls out free veterinary services on April 9, turning the 125th Semana sang Iloilo celebration into a large-scale animal health and population control campaign.
Framed as both a public service and a push for responsible pet ownership, the one-day initiative will provide neutering, vitamin supplementation, deworming, and veterinary consultation — services seen as crucial in preventing disease and curbing the growing number of stray animals.
Priority slots have been allocated for neutering procedures, with 70 slots for male animals and 30 for females, focusing primarily on native / mongrel dogs and cats or “aspin” and “puspin.”
To ensure wider access, the OPV has limited the service to two pets per owner.
The activity will be held at the second floor of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol Car Park.
“We are opening our doors for a special day of care to ensure our companion animals stay healthy and happy as we celebrate our province’s milestones,” the OPV said in a statement.
Registration has been ongoing since March 30 (up to April 7) at the OPVet office on the fifth floor of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.
Veterinary officials emphasized that only healthy animals aged eight months to six years will be accepted for surgery, with proof of rabies vaccination required at least 14 days prior to the procedure.
Pet owners are also required to follow strict pre-operative guidelines, including fasting their pets for at least six hours before surgery, ensuring proper hygiene, and withholding food and water on the morning of the procedure to prevent complications during anesthesia.
Upon registration, pet owners must sign a consent form and comply with additional protocols set by OPVet personnel, underscoring the province’s effort to promote safe, humane, and responsible animal care./PN
