THE Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) in Negros Occidental is upbeat that dog owners organizations can help address rabies woes in the province.

Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena Thursday, February 07, said their main thrust in organizing dog owners club is to strengthen responsible pet ownership and create awareness among the public.

Decena said the measure is seen to help end rabies threat in the area and contribute to preventing the spread of the deadly virus in neighboring cities and municipalities.

“The organization of dog owners club is a province-wide initiative. Through the organization, educating the members as well as the community about responsible pet ownership would be easier,” he said, adding that every district in the province already has dog owners club but not in all local government units (LGUs).

In the Fifth District, the Hinigaran Dog Owners Club conducted its organization meeting at PVO District Field Office in Hinigaran town recently.

Spearheaded by District Veterinarian Ma. Regina Gawan in coordination with the Municipal Agriculture Office, the activity is in line with the 2019 Rabies Control Action Plan earlier formulated by PVO’s Animal Health Division.

This is also in response to the increasing cases of canine rabies in the province, PVO said.

The meeting was highlighted by the information and education campaign on responsible pet ownership and on rabies control and prevention program.

A film showing and lecture on rabies “facts and symptoms” were also given to the 24 participating dog owners and lovers.

Gawan emphasized that owning a dog requires time and commitment to taking good care of the animals.

Aside from the provision of shelter, food and obedience training, dogs should also be given regular vaccination to protect them from diseases.

As she encouraged the club members to invite more dog enthusiasts, Gawan committed to provide free consultation, rabies vaccination, and fecalysis during the organization’s next scheduled meeting.

PVO said the provincial government is serious in its campaign against rabies especially among canine.

It stressed that rabies, though deadly, is a vaccine-preventable disease.

Among the ways to prevent include always keeping the rabies vaccine up to date, proper leashing of pets to avoid contact with stray animals with high-risk exposure to the virus, it added.