Caloocan gives home to 1,500 stray dogs

MANILA, Philippines - The Caloocan City government has given refuge to some 1,500 stray dogs roaming the streets as part of its efforts to prevent the spread of rabies.

“It’s too risky to have our children play in the streets, knowing that there are stray dogs roaming around. So we catch wandering canines and give them proper dwellings,” Mayor Enrico Echiverri said.

He said the city veterinary office runs two dog pounds, one at the main city hall complex and the other at the Caloocan City Hall North.

The mayor also urged residents to have their pet dogs vaccinated, adding that the city veterinary office personnel have vaccinated around 24,300 dogs “at no cost” to their owners.

He directed the city’s 188 barangay executives to help the city government by having the stray dogs picked up by trained personnel from city veterinary office “before they could harm anyone.”

Echiverri advised residents to wait for the scheduled free anti-rabies vaccination in their respective barangays.