It’s “Pets Day Out” in Dinalupihan

DINALUPIHAN, Bataan – About a  hundred pets with their owners, some of them dressed in their funky clothing, gathered last Saturday at the town plaza here for their “Pets Day Out.”  

Municipal officials led by Mayor Maria Angela Garcia, sporting a brown bag with her cute breed of little puppy inside it, and the parish priest of St. John Parish led the mass and blessing for the pets composed of different kinds of dogs, while some brought their cats.

The pets also had their check-ups, free anti-rabies vaccination courtesy of the municipal government here, pet show and a lot of surprises and gifts from the pet supply owners who participated in this grand event promoting responsible pet ownership.

The said event also coincides with the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the Catholic patron of animals and the environment, and the Animal Welfare Month. Last October 1 was also observed as World Animal Day.

The Philippines has a law that promotes the welfare of all terrestrial, aquatic, and marine animals under Republic Act 8545, known as “The Animal Welfare Act of 1998.” Under this law, “it is unlawful for any person to torture any animal, to neglect adequate care, sustenance of shelter, or maltreat any animal…”

“This program is in relation to rabies prevention program of our province. Nandito po yung concern natin sa rabies control and at the same time we are promoting responsible pet ownership,” Mayor Garcia told the Bataan press who covered the event.

Jojo Isorena, the favorite dog trainer of celebrities with their pets in the country, served as special guest. Isorena owns the BetterDog Canine Behavior Center, the Philippines’ first professional training facility for pet owners. He is also known as the counterpart of internationally known Cesar Milan, the dog whisperer,

Meanwhile, Dr. Alberto Venturina, the provincial veterinarian reported that at present, there are 17 dogs recorded in Bataan as positive for rabies and 3 mortalities (2 in Abucay and 1 in Hermosa). One victim was a driver of a DPWH official assigned in Manila.

“Under our provincial ordinance, it’s mandatory to register our dogs who are 3 months old. Mandatory din po ang pagtali at pagkulong sa mga aso sa kanilang compound at mandatory na din ang pagbabakuna,” Venturina reminded.