Watch Your Pet!

Lack of Responsible Pet Ownership

 Community Health Problem #4 

As defined by the Department of Head (DOH)

a.         Vaccinating pet dogs against rabies at 3 months of age and every year thereafter

b.         Providing clean, comfortable and proper shelter

c.         Providing enough exercise

d.         Providing enough care and proper nutrition

e.         Keeping them within our own backyard, where they are free from contact with infected dogs. Keeping them on leash when we take them for walks or daily exercise

f.          Bringing the pet for regular health consultation with the veterinarian

            Thus it brings fort the well being of the dogs, that are free from disease such as rabies, which if transmitted to a human through a bite from an infected dog surely brings about the demise of the patient.

            It can be seen that rabies is not the current leading cause of morbidity or mortality in barangay Motibot, however, it can’t be ignored that there is a high number of unvaccinated dogs (69.6% of 480 dogs) and most of them are left untied or unconfined within the perimeters of their owners houses (418 dogs) which were identified\seen during our survey. Moreover, the entire Philippines is experiencing shortage of FREE human vaccines for rabies which can cause thousands of pesos if bought out of pocket by the victims. Therefore, it is wise to have the dog vaccinated, good health by proper diet and exercise,and keeping them contained to limit contact with other dogs to decrease transmission of rabies and other canine diseases and as well as decreasing the risk of having a stranger bitten. Rabies is 100% fatal but 100% preventable if measures are taken.

            The goal of the group is to increase the responsible pet ownership of the barangay. This can be achieve through 4 specific objectives which are patterned from the 2007 anti rabies act of the Philippines (RA 9482) and from the Community health plans of previous batches from the ateneo de Zamboanga university school of medicine. Firstly, is to increase the awareness of rabies and responsible pet ownership, majority of pet owners are aware of rabies, it’s consequences and the free vaccination for their pet dogs, however a not all pet owners and the community know the proper management if a person is bitten by dogs. Secondly, to increase the vaccinated dogs to 80%. Because according to RA 9482 in order to achieve the herd immunity against rabies is to ensure the percentage of dog vaccination at least 70%. This can be achieved by tapping to Department of Agriculture and other non-government offices in order to assure the number of vaccines and manpower needed for vaccination of Pet dogs well as vaccination and  castration of stray dogs. Thirdly, In order to monitor the progress of vaccinations as well as the number of canines and cats, it is therefore necessary to have a central registry of the pet owners and their pets. Lastly, establishing of a core group of MOtibot REsponsible Pet Ownership Club (MOREPOC) to ensure an active participation of the community especially the pet owners during activities such as vaccination, registration, and field control of dogs through the years to come.

            Majority of dogs in motibot are unvaccinated and are not contained in the houses of their masters, thus it is important for the WHOLE community of Barangay Motibot and not just the pet owners and the government to work hand in hand in order to be a responsible pet owners.

ROLDAN LEGAL JR

ADZU-SOM