Iloilo city: Barangays in the city are being urged to establish safe, temporary shelters for stray, abandoned, rescued, and impounded animals to strengthen animal welfare and public health efforts. City Veterinarian Dr. Fernando Abulencia emphasized that addressing concerns about stray animals is a shared responsibility and not solely the task of the city government. He encouraged barangays to coordinate with the Office of the City Veterinarian for technical support in establishing these shelters.

According to Philippines News Agency, the city veterinarian's office plans to schedule spaying or neutering services for animals housed in the temporary facilities. After a holding period, these animals will either be returned to their communities or transferred to the city dog pound. The proposal has already received positive feedback during a public hearing before the Sangguniang Panlungsod approved a resolution urging barangays to establish temporary shelters.

Although there is no official count of stray animals in the city, Dr. Abulencia estimated that there are 20 to 30 stray animals in each of Iloilo City's 180 barangays. He praised the contribution of animal welfare advocates in Iloilo for their role in managing the stray population, control, and adoption. The city dog pound currently houses nearly 20 rehabilitated animals, and an adoption drive focusing on puppies is scheduled for August.

The resolution, authored by Councilor Johnny Young and approved during Wednesday's regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, highlights that barangays are the first responders to incidents involving stray dogs, abandoned pets, rescued animals, animal bite cases, and complaints of animal nuisance, cruelty, and neglect. Young pointed out that the lack of barangay-level holding facilities often leaves stray or rescued animals on the streets, exposing them to hunger, accidents, cruelty, disease, and the risk of rabies transmission.

Under the resolution, the temporary shelters need not be large or costly but should meet minimum humane standards. These include adequate ventilation, shade, clean water, feeding areas, proper drainage and sanitation, separate spaces for sick or aggressive animals, and a logbook to document rescued or impounded animals.