Dogs celebrate Valentine’s Day too

Dogs have reasons to celebrate Valentine’s Day too.

On Feb. 24, dogs, accompanied by their owners, will march on streets of Lapu-Lapu City in a Valentine day out dubbed as “Bark for Love.”

Now on its second year, the whole-day activity spearheaded by the Lapu-Lapu city government through the city veterinary, in partnership with D’Dog House Cafe and Grooming Salon, will offer free services to dogs, such as neutering, rabies vaccination, vitamin supplementation, deworming, treatment and pet blessing.

There will also be a dog grooming, games and awarding, and a live band performance play. Celebrities like Matt Evans and KC Montero were also invited as guests.

registration

The activity from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. will start with an assembly at the Mactan Shrine for the parade to Mactan barangay hall and back for the opening ceremony and registration.

The free clinic will be done at the Veterinary Office at the Lapu-Lapu City Hall.

The organizers remind the participants to observe rules, including the no leash/no entry policy, pet owners should take responsibility in disciplining their dogs, children below 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult, only food concessionaires are allowed to sell food, only organizer can sell beverage, liquor is prohibited as well as glass and bottles.

Mayor Paz Radaza said the activity will also give pet owners tips on how to care for their pets. “The city is aiming to be rabies free  and this activity is part of our efforts to achieve our aim,” Radaza said.

The city’s veterinary office has been conducting seminars to dog owners in the barangays as well as vaccinating and registering their dogs. It has also been catching stray dogs in the streets.

Dr. Rodulfo Berame, city health officer, said  they will strengthen their efforts this year to achieve their aim of a rabies-free city. Last year, they were not able to achieve their goal after the city recorded one rabies death.

Lapu-Lapu City has a dog population of 10,200 in 2012, of which 8,000 were vaccinated.

“Dog owners should register their dog and have it vaccinated regularly, else they may be penalized once the dog bites somebody,” said Dr. Janicce Tugonon, the city veterinarian.

She requested those who want to adopt a dog to visit the city veterinary office.

She said impounded dogs that don’t have claimants will be subjected to euthanasia if nobody would adopt them.

Aileen Radaza who is managing a Pet House in Lapu-Lapu City sees pet lovers were responsible enough to care for their pets, more and more people are into raising and caring pets in the city. /CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA