Dog and cat lovers who may want to share their love this Christmas season for the canines and felines may consider adopting the rescued animals which are being sheltered at the Antipolo City pound.

As the city government announced in its Facebook page earlier this week that the 122 dogs and 27 cats that were rescued and sheltered at the city pound were open for adoption, there have been 38 dogs and eight cats adopted by their new owners as of December 16.

Out of the 122 dogs and 27 cats that were rescued, the city pound now has 76 dogs and 19 cats who may be wanting the love and affection of a new owner especially this season.

Those interested to become an adoptive owner of the rescued dogs and cats should be at least 18 years old with a valid identification card, and must have a cage as a minimum requirement before being allowed to adopt.

To ensure that dogs and cats will be taken care of, city government spokesman, former Mayor Junjun Ynares III, told Manila Bulletin that individuals who may want to adopt a dog or a cat from the city pound are also required to submit themselves for a brief interview at the City Legal Office and sign and submit an application form, and the notarized “Pet Adoption Agreement.”

Upon approval from the City Legal Office, the interested applicant will then be endorsed to the City Veterinary Office which supervises the city pound where they will choose the pet to adopt.

The city government said dogs that are rescued from the streets are then sheltered in the city pound or the Animal Control Facility while waiting for their owners to retrieve them as required by the Animal Welfare Act or Republic Act 8485.

Under the City Ordinance No. 2019-905, otherwise known as the Rabies Control Ordinance, irresponsible pet owners may face a fine of P500 or eight hours of community service; P1,000 or 16 hours of community service; and P3,000 or 24 hours of community service for the first, second, and third offenses, respectively.