City eyes establishment of animal shelter

CEBU, Philippines - If the long-term goal of the city’s veterinary department is realized, Cebu City will have an animal shelter facility where dogs are no longer placed in cages but kennels, and the highest standard of animal care is observed.

The Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries and Abattoir Operations Division presented their accomplishment reports for the month of January to April 2013 at press conference held in Cebu City Hall.

“Superior strategy despite limited resources” has been the main guiding principle of the two departments in accomplishing their targets.

The veterinary department, for example, has no impounding vehicle and had to improvise to continue its impounding services.

The service vehicle of the City Veterinarian was utilized with a portable cage for impounded dogs.

Nongovernment organizations such as the Humane Society International and officials of other government agencies have also helped by donating portable cages.

Also, the Humane Society International (HSI) gave a scholarship grant to Cebu City Veterinarian Dr. Alice Utlang to the Animal Welfare Expo where she “brought to light the dark realities” faced by the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries in operating the Cebu City Pound.

The Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries and the Abattoir Operations Division have strictly implemented the mandatory registration of dogs as required by Ordinance No.2238 thru the issuance of citation tickets and house registration.

As of January to April, the total income generated was P615,600 or 207% higher than last year’s which was only P200,700 from January-June).

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Abattoir also conducted monitoring of the handling of live animals through their Team of Meat Inspectors. (FREEMAN)