ANGELES CITY – The Dog Pound and Animal Shelter here renewed its certification from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) until May 2027, giving the city government under the leadership of Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. authority to ensure animal welfare and to monitor backyard pet breeders.
The accreditation assures adequate care and shelter for the animals and prevent their abuse, maltreatment, cruelty and exploitation.
The facility is also the only no-kill animal pound in Pampanga and the second in Central Luzon which is operating with a BAI certification.
“Patuloy din po ang paglulunsad natin ng mga programa na mangangalaga sa kapakanan ng mga animals natin,” Lazatin assured.
“Maraming salamat po sa BAI sa pag-grant ng banibagong certification na ito sa Angeles City. This is our license to operate,” Lazatin said.
Lazatin’s Chief Adviser IC Calaguas had exerted efforts to push for the accreditation with Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel, City Veterinary Officer-in-Charge Dr. Christian Xyric Arcilla, and late City Engineer Donato Dizon since Mayor Lazatin took office in 2019.
“Malaki po ang binibigay nating pagpapahalaga sa mga animals natin, lalo na po sa mga stray pets na na-re-rescue natin, inaalagaan, at tinutulungang makahanap ng kanilang fur-ever home,” Calaguas said.
Calaguas said 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.”
Further, 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,” Manuel said.
For his part, 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 in 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 states.
Part of the programs of Mayor Lazatin since he took office in 2019 is to put premium on animal welfare. It is during Mayor Lazatin’s stint that Angeles City has started offering free spaying and neutering to cats and dogs, giving free check-ups and medicines, and conducting house-to-house anti-rabies vaccination.
