• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Animals at evacuation centers are also suffering from the lack of food supply, resulting in weight loss, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Placeda Lemana has disclosed.
Most of the animals, who temporarily live with their owners, cannot eat properly due to lack of food supply, Lemana revealed.
Personnel of the different District Animal Centers in the 4th and 5th districts have come to the rescue of the underfed animals by giving them food supplements, she added.
On the other hand, about 300 animals, mostly dogs and cats, are also being fed daily in two villages in La Castellana, the local government unit hardest hit by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon.
The animals, mostly pets of displaced families, remained in Barangays Biak na Bato and Cabagna-an in La Castellana, after the residents in these communities which are located within the six-kilometer radius danger zone, have evacuated since the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon last December 9.
During that month, the municipal government of La Castellana created the Mt. Kanlaon Task Force Pet Rescue to feed the affected pet animals and accept pet food donations.
Municipal information officer Remuel Seladan Lajo said personnel of the two villages prepare food for the pets and also source excess food from evacuation centers.
Donations in kind are also given by private individuals, feed stores, local government veterinary offices, and other barangays.* with PNA reports