Barangay Paligsahan is fast becoming the urban model of animal welfare and healthcare.
In celebration of the Anti-Rabies Month, the barangay recently held a pet care services session in collaboration with the Quezon City Veterinary Department. Residents came to have their pet cats and dogs vaccinated, micro chipped and consulted by the QC veterinarian present.
“There have been accidents caused by un-vaccinated pets. There are also stray dogs in many areas. We are lucky to have the Roces Avenue Rotonda and Amoranto Stadium where pet lovers can safely walk their pet dogs,” Paligsahan Barangay Captain Alexander Lapore told DAILY TRIBUNE.
The barangay also partnered with Stray Love PH Shelter to donate pet products. These are just some of the initiatives being done by Paligsahan, hoping to inspire other barangays to follow suit.
The first Pet Fashion Show in Quezon City, held 22 March, featured pets who earned local and international awards walking the runway in glittery costumes.
The panel of judges was composed of 1Coop Health Management Corporation president and chief executive officer Dr. Paul Allan Espina, Dunsk Kuhner brand ambassador and Okada Manila chef Angelica Rañeses Salonga and Stray Love Ph Animal Shelter president and founder G.T. Lim.
Winners took home cash gifts and tokens. Also raffled off were a pet stroller, dog cage and pet bed.
Dog and cat food and other pet care items were given away by sponsors Dunsk Kuhner, Japan Home, Lucky Pets and Cats and Dogs Fashionista, among others.
“The twin or back-to-back events undoubtedly made Barangay Paligsahan live up to its name of being ‘competitive’ in the quality of local participative governance. I’m also referring to the people of the kitchen and housekeeping; the greeters, ushers and members of the reception committee; the various teams of the gallant tanods, streetsweepers and drivers; the Lupon of area coordinators; main organizers Anna and Mat Raneses and Fr. Jim Jose who blessed the pets; and everyone who, in one way or another, teamed up with the organizers,” Lapore said.
Another pioneering effort of Paligsahan is the forthcoming launch of the first Pets Club in Quezon City.
Pet owners will receive free pet care services such as anti-rabies vaccination, deworming and microchipping.
The data bank of pets based on a survey undertaken before the Petstival will be the foundation of the club. Said data shows the number of vaccinated, dewormed and micro-chipped pets in the barangay.
The Pets Club will be launched on 4 October, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. A Pet’s Care desk at the Barangay Hall will be up on 15 April.
To institutionalize everything within a legal framework, Barangay Paligsahan will soon have ordinances addressing all community concerns about pets, including stray animals on the streets, and the creation of animal shelters and the promotion of ethical standards in pet ownership.
“An ordinance in full support of Mayor Joy’s directive to keep pets properly cared and managed is now in the works,” Lapore added.