TAGUIG City Mayor Lani Cayetano has ordered the concerned local departments to step up the campaign against rabies through mass vaccination of pet dogs.

“Rabies is a grave concern for pets, their owners and the public in general. By having their pets vaccinated, they not only protect them from rabies but also contribute in preventing the spread of rabies-related incidents,” Cayetano said.

For this year, the mayor said, a six-man team from the City Agriculture Office is going to conduct anti rabies vaccination in the city's 28 barangays.

Cayetano added that the campaign is especially important this summer since lots of children become potential victims of rabies.

“Since there are no classes and it is summer, children are often playing outside their homes and are thus at risk to rabies because of the dogs around them. Parents will only have peace of mind if they know that their children are protected,“ she said.

Emelita Solis, chief of City Agricultural Office (CAO), reported that some 5,295 dogs and cats have already been vaccinated between January and March this year.

Solis said the city government is targeting to vaccinate 24,000 dogs for this year for free.

Solis appealed to the residents to be responsible pet owners and to help out in the city’s campaign by voluntarily bringing in their dogs and other pets so they may be given the anti-rabies shots.

“If they cannot bring their pets on designated dates for vaccination, they can go directly to the CAO at the City Hall to have their pets vaccinated,” she said.

For his part, Dr. Isaias Ramos, City Health Office officer-in-charge, advised the public to immediately seek medical help if they get bitten by a dog or even a cat for proper treatment.