• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Bacolod City government has officially launched a house-to-house vaccination campaign, offering anti-rabies shots free of charge to all residents of the city.
Led by the City Veterinarian’s Office (CVO), the initiative aims to protect at least 100,000 dogs this year, an increase from the 80,000 pets vaccinated in 2025.
Mayor Greg Gasataya stated that the program is part of the city’s commitment to improving public services and ensuring community safety.
In a specific push to reach more pet owners, the CVO will administer free rabies vaccinations to ‘fur-babies’ participating in an upcoming free spay and neuter event on February 20 at the Villamonte Gym.
The event is part of the broader P6 million prevention strategy funded by the local government.
Assistant City Veterinarian Dr. Janine Sarthou emphasized that these services are provided at no cost to Bacolodnons, to ensure that financial constraints do not hinder pet health and public safety.
Beyond the special event at the Villamonte Gym, vaccination teams are being deployed across various barangays to directly visit households.
The city-wide drive is expected to continue through the coming months, with a tentative completion target set for July or August.
As of January 2026, 1 dog from Brgy. Vista Alegre has been identified as positive for rabies.*
