Kalibo town steps up drive against stray dogs and cats

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The town of Kalibo will intensify the campaign against the proliferation of wandering dogs and cats in the streets, according to Sangguniang Bayan member Ariel Fernandez.

“To effectively implement the municipal ordinance, the local government of Kalibo should fund the campaign for the rehabilitation of dog vehicle and the municipal animal pound to cope with stray dogs and cats problem,” he said.

Fernandez is also appealing to the pet owners to take their dogs to a local veterinary office and have it vaccinated to reduce the number of dog bites and human rabies in the barangays.

He said vehicle accidents on the rise due to stray dogs in the streets. Stray dogs and cats also cause health, sound pollution and environmental problems.

Fernandez said stray dogs often drag garbage while they are scavenging for food or even becoming eyesore to the tourists and residents of Kalibo. 

The local government should also train employees in the impounding and catching stray and homeless dogs and cats, he added. 

Fernandez said these plans were also discussed during the recent Municipal Rabies Control Committee meeting with Kalibo mayor William Lachica.