Parañaque City Mayor Eric Olivarez warned city residents who are voluntarily feeding stray dogs and cats to be responsible as they are the potential hosts of the deadly rabies virus in public and private places.

Olivarez said residents need to ask permission and follow the guidelines being implemented by the officers of homeowners associations and building administrators.

He said homeowners associations and building administrators must enact a resolution, rules and regulations, adopting Republic Act 9482, the “ Anti-Rabies Act of 2007,” Republic Act 8485, the “ Animal Welfare Act of 1998,” and Presidential Decree 856 or the “Sanitation Code of the Philippines.”

The mayor said dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies every year and and should be neutered by the City Veterinary and Services Office (CVO) or private veterinary clinics.

 
Olivarez said anti-rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats are given for free at the CVO under Dr. Karen Vicencio.

He also said that dogs and cats should be identified with microchips, ear notch, collar, and tag.

The mayor also said they must also have designated feeding stations, disaster-proof dwelling, cattery with their toilet and litter box.

 
Olivarez added that a person should also be designated to keep their record, look after them, clean after them and bring them to a veterinary clinic when needed, and provide them with medicine when they become sick.

 
He said any person suffering from animal bites must immediately report this to the local government or barangay within 24 hours.

 
The mayor said they can also visit animal bite treatment centers  in Barangays La Huerta, San Isidro, BF Homes, Sun Valley, San Martin de Porres, Don Bosco, and San Antonio.   

 
The mayor added that Ospital ng Parañaque also offers animal bite treatment services.