Pet owners in Ilocos Norte are excited to bring their pets to the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) on Wednesday to avail of the free anti-rabies vaccination and castration services.

For a fur mom like Mary Tess Gaspar of Santa Maria village, this city, she said her fur baby is scheduled for vaccination this week when she stumbled on a public service announcement of the PVO, posted on the Facebook page of the Dog Owners Association of Ilocos Norte with 2,300 active members.

“The free vaccination drive is a big help for pet owners like us, particularly in this time of the pandemic,” she said.

In time for the celebration of World’s Rabies Awareness Month, Dr. Loida Valenzuela, provincial veterinarian, said that it has been their annual tradition to offer free veterinary services every month of September.

But with the ongoing health crisis, some of the activities such as quiz bee and dog show have been canceled this year as the provincial government highly discouraged crowd gathering.

In Ilocos Norte, Valenzuela said she is thankful that more and more residents are becoming dog and cat lovers, including some business owners who are now opening up their business establishments to animals.

Some local government units here, in partnership with dog owners group, are also organizing dog shows and other animal welfare events to promote responsible pet ownership.

The PVO said they will continue to entertain dogs and cats until Oct. 2 for the free vaccination drive while the castration activity is only for today or until 5 p.m. (PNA)