THE Cebu City Government is offering citywide free pet services at Plaza Sugbo until July 15, 2025 to promote animal welfare.
Spearheaded by the City’s Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF), the initiative began on June 27, providing free-rabies vaccination, deworming, multivitamin supplements and microchipping.
“We wanted to bring registration and vaccination closer to the public, especially since many pet owners from outside the barangays were not participating in previous barangay-level campaigns,” said DVMF head Alice Utlang.
Registered dogs and cats will receive free rabies vaccination and official vaccination cards.
Utlang said after July 15, the registration will continue at the DVMF office and may also be conducted house-to-house in various barangays across the city.
She added that starting October, the City will strictly implement a P2,000 penalty for pet owners who fail to comply with the registration and vaccination requirements.
In June, the DVMF neutered 594 dogs and cats, rendering them unable to reproduce to control their population.
Utlang said from January to June, the DVMF recorded zero euthanasia cases of impounded dogs.
“We do not euthanize. Instead, we follow a process of neuter, vaccinate and return. This sets Cebu City apart from other local governments,” she said.
Utlang said future registration drives will be organized to encourage more pet owners to avail themselves of their service. / John Mart Mabalhin, VSU intern, Hilary Natalie Berongoy, HNU Intern