ANGELES CITY – The Bureau of Animal Industry has renewed its certification of the city’s dog pound and animal shelter until May 2027, giving the city government authority to ensure animal welfare and to monitor backyard pet breeders.
The certification assures adequate care and shelter for the animals and prevent the abuse, maltreatment, cruelty and exploitation of animals. The facility is also the only no-kill animal pound in Pampanga and the second in Central Luzon which is operating with BAI certification.
“Maraming salamat po sa BAI sa pag-grant ng panibagong certification na ito sa Angeles City. This is our license to operate,” enthused Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. “Patuloy din po ang paglulunsad natin ng mga programa na mangangalaga sa kapakanan ng mga animals natin.”
The mayor’s chief adviser IC Calaguas had exerted efforts to push for the accreditation with Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel, city veterinary OIC Dr. Christian Xyric Arcilla, and the late city engineer Donato Dizon since Lazatin took office in 2019.
“Malaki po ang binibigay nating pagpapahalaga sa mga animals natin, lalo na po sa mga stray pets na nare-rescue natin, inaalagaan, at tinutulungang makahanap ng kanilang fur-ever home,” Calaguas said.
Calaguas assured the public that with the renewal of certification, all animals will continue to receive “appropriate standards of accommodation, feeding and general care, the prevention and treatment of disease and the assurance of freedom from fear, distress, harassment, and unnecessary discomfort and pain, and allowing animals to express normal behavior.”
For her part, Manuel shared the city’s animal pound and shelter has already been renovated to accommodate more animals, and to attend to their needs.
“We are also encouraging our kababayans to adopt, don’t shop, and give our rescued animals their fur-ever family,” she added.
Dr. Arcilla said the city veterinary office will conduct continuous monitoring throughout the city to ensure all animals are being given proper handling and care.
According to Dr. Arcilla, upon the orders of Mayor Lazatin, the city will also conduct trainings to the 33 barangays for the proper handling of animals.
“With our newly-renovated facility, our animals are being given an adequate, clean and sanitary environment. And rest assured that they will not be used for or cause any pain or suffering to the animals,” Dr. Arcilla said.
Part of the programs of Lazatin since he took office in 2019 is to put premium on animal welfare. It is during Lazatin’s term that Angeles City started offering free spaying and neutering to cats and dogs, giving free check-ups and medicines, and conducting house-to-house anti-rabies vaccination. Angeles CIO
