ILOILO – In a push to curb pet overpopulation and prevent the spread of rabies, the Iloilo Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) neutered around 100 dogs and cats during a free neutering drive held Monday, April 8, as part of the 124th Semana sang Iloilo celebration.
PVO head Dr. Darel Tabuada said the activity was a key initiative to promote responsible pet ownership and safeguard public health.
“Castrating pets prevents unplanned breeding, reduces the risk of stray and potentially rabid animals, and encourages pet owners to take accountability,” he stressed.
The free neutering was conducted in partnership with the Iloilo City Veterinary Office, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Agriculture Regional Office VI, veterinarians from the Municipality of Ajuy, and private veterinary companies.
“This year, we registered 100 pets for neutering and castration as part of our Semana activity. We also offered free veterinary consultations, deworming, vaccination, and vitamin supplementation,” Tabuada said in an interview with Panay News.
Private clinics also joined the event to distribute free product samples to pet owners.
Tabuada reiterated that neutering contributes to rabies prevention, pointing out that fixed pets are less likely to roam and spread disease.
“We saw responsible pet owners attending this event. If their pets are neutered and vaccinated, we help reduce the rabies risk in both urban and rural areas,” he added.
As of March 31, the PVO has vaccinated 65,930 dogs since launching the province-wide annual anti-rabies campaign last February 4. The goal is to immunize at least 70 percent of Iloilo’s total dog population, which stands at 367,907.
To meet this target, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. allocated P9 million this year for the purchase of 21,000 vials of anti-rabies vaccines, enough to vaccinate around 210,000 dogs.
In 2024, the province recorded 283,755 vaccinated dogs — 87.37 percent of the dog population at the time. Tabuada said the success of last year’s campaign is evident: of the 152 dog brain samples submitted for rabies testing, only 47 tested positive while 105 were confirmed negative.
“We continue to urge pet owners to have their dogs vaccinated either through our roaming barangay vaccinators or by visiting a private veterinary clinic, if they can afford it,” Tabuada said./PN
