Number of slaughtered animals down in Feb.

Lack of supply had caused a drop in the number of animals slaughtered last February at the Cebu City Modern Abattoir in the north reclamation area, said city veterinarian Alice Utlang.

Dealers had informed Utlang that last month, they experienced lack of supply of cattle, carabaos, and horses, but not of hogs.

The number of hogs slaughtered at the city-owned abattoir last February reached 6,652, which is more than the 6,128 hogs butchered in the same month last year.

For carabaos, there were only 337 slaughtered during the month, lower than the 418 for the same period last year. On cattle, there was a drop also as there were only 1,430 slaughtered compared to 1,443 in February last year. The number of horses butchered also declined from 261 last year to 139 in February this year.

Utlang said there is ample supply of goats, as there were 2,937 goats slaughtered in February.

For every animal slaughtered at the abattoir, the city collects certain fees, depending on the category.

Utlang, who also manages the abattoir, however said that the overall supply will gradually peak through the coming months, especially in May and June, when most barangays celebrate their fiestas. —Rene U. Borromeo/RAE