DA targets 117,000 pets for rabies shots

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will roll out a mass rabies-vaccination drive targeting about 117,000 dogs and cats in Eastern Visayas.

The DA regional office said it received 12,000 vials of anti-rabies vaccine for distribution to six provinces and five cities. The vaccines, along with syringes and needles, will be provided to local veterinary officers and agricultural technicians for free vaccination services.

Kyle Tubigan, regional rabies coordinator at the Bureau of Animal Industry, said the campaign is intended to strengthen public health protection and promote responsible pet ownership.

The allocation plan provides 2,215 vials for Southern Leyte, 1,909 for Leyte, 1,893 for Samar, 1,790 for Eastern Samar, 895 for Northern Samar and 557 for Biliran.

Tacloban, Ormoc, Catbalogan, Calbayog and Borongan will each receive 500 vials to support citywide vaccination drives.

The DA also turned over spay-and-neuter kits to local governments, enabling veterinarians to offer free sterilization procedures intended to help control stray-animal populations and reduce rabies-transmission risks.