When it comes to responsible pet ownership, a lot of Filipinos aren’t there yet.
Many pet dogs are left to loiter on the streets, exposing them to potential road accidents or even attacks by rabid dogs.
This is why Makati City is going the techie route to ensure that pet owners take responsibility for their furry friends.
According to this Philippine Star report, Makati mayor Abigail Binay has asked the city hall’s veterinary services office to start implanting microchips in pet dogs of Makati residents.
“I want Makati to be truly rabies-free. Pet dogs will be microchipped upon registration with our city government veterinary office,” she explained.
(The Anti Rabies Act of 2007 already requires pet owners to register their pets.)
The microchip, which will be implanted between the pet’s shoulder blades, serves as a permanent pet ID and will be read by a scanner.
It would make it easier to identify the owners of pets that have been left to roam freely on the streets, said the report.
Private veterinary clinics charge at least PHP1,500 per chip, with an additional veterinarian fee of PHP500.
Loose pets can bite people or defecate anywhere, both acts that pose health risks to the community. No word yet if cats or other animals will also be implanted with microchips in the future.
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