The Dumaguete City veterinary office has intensified its campaign to reduce the city's dog population by conducting free castrations.

Dr. Lourdes Socorro of the CVO said reducing the dog population is their main objective this year, as they observe rabies awareness celebration month on the theme, "Tayo'y Magtulong-tulong Ating Isulong ang Rabies Protection and Prevention." Socorro said the CVO is encouraging dog owners to have their dogs castrated and vaccinated until April 15.

The latest survey of dog population in Dumaguete revealed that, there are approximately 12,000 dogs in the city, more than 50 percent higher than the ideal number of dog population of 5,000.

Last year, the CVO shipped 18 dogs to Cebu City for rabies examination, which, fortunately, yielded negative results.

Socorro said that the dogs being vaccinated decreased from 7,000 to only 5,000 at the end of 2006. This may be due to the increased vaccination fee from P47 to P160 per dog, she added.*MA

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