The Cebu City Animal Welfare Council (CCAWC) has put forward a significant proposal to dedicate a portion of the city's pet registration earnings to fund programs that protect animals, with a special focus on those impacted by disasters.
Funding for a Paws Cause
Under this new initiative, 10 percent of the registration fees collected by the Cebu City Government via the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) would be set aside for animal welfare projects. With the city having generated a total of P6,209,800 from pet registrations this year alone, the proposed allocation would create a fund of P620,980.
Dr. Alice Utlang, the head of the DVMF and a CCAWC member, highlighted the financial potential. "We are proposing to the council because we are registering dogs for P200. In fact, last October, the income was almost a million," Dr. Utlang stated. She emphasized that this designated money would be crucial for addressing animal needs during emergencies like typhoons and other calamities.
New Shelters and a Final Resting Place
Beyond the financial proposal, the council's discussions also covered Mayor Nestor Archival's priority projects: the creation of a dedicated pet cemetery and an animal shelter. Dr. Utlang revealed that three potential locations are under consideration: Barangay Guba, Barangay Kalunasan, and the former Cebu City Zoo.
"Regarding the cemetery mentioned by the Mayor, we are looking at three options. By Friday, the council will visit these three areas so we can propose to the Mayor which area is best," Utlang explained. Mayor Archival, who was present at the meeting, expressed his commitment to seeing the animal shelter completed by December, providing a much-needed home for rescued and stray animals.
Strengthening Enforcement and Education
The council also addressed the need for better enforcement of animal welfare laws. Dr. Utlang pointed to recurring problems, such as a reported case in Barangay Sto. Niño where numerous dogs were left exposed to the sun.
To combat such neglect and abuse, the CCAWC proposed conducting specialized training for citation ticket officers. This training would allow the officers to be deputized by the mayor, empowering them to more effectively handle animal welfare issues and ensure stricter compliance with regulations.
The CCAWC continues to work on strengthening Cebu City's animal welfare programs as a core part of its mission to promote responsible pet ownership and guarantee the humane treatment of all animals, especially when disasters strike.
