Makati launches free microchipping project for residents' pets

Cats and dogs in Makati City will be given microchips for free to make identification easier in case they wander too far from their owners. 

According to a "Balitanghali" report by Susan Enriquez on Friday, the local government unit of Makati's goal is to plant chips in over 300,000 cats and dogs owned by the city's residents. 

Each chip will contain the pet's 15-digit identification number, name, home address, rabies vaccination records along with the name of its owner and its attending veterinarian.

"It provides a government, for example, an absolute way to identify a dog, link it to its health records, and also to the owner," Veterinary Services Office OIC Dr. Jing Mangahas said.

The electronic microchip, which is about the size of a rice grain, will be injected into the pet's shoulder region.

Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay headed the launch of free pet micro-chipping program held Thursday. She pointed out that pet micro-chipping is a veterinary service available nationwide.

"'Yong micro-chipping naman is available anywhere. You can ask your vet, your personal vet. Kasi dito sa city, libre 'yong micro-chipping program kung tiga-Makati ka,"  Binay said.

The program also has the approval of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) as it steered the public towards responsible pet ownership.

"Registration is always good, kasi it will help track accountability. Kapag nahuli 'yong aso mo, nagkakalat sa daan, at least madali na ngayon to identify kung sino 'yong mga owners noon," said PAWS executive director Anna Cabrera.

Pet owners interviewed on the report were delighted to learn their city started a program to help them keep track of their pets.

"Okay sa akin. Kaysa sa pagala-gala ang mga aso dito...At least kung magkaroon ng ganoon, maa-identify na kung kanino, kung tiga saan 'yong asong iyon," said Conrado Bay, a resident of Barangay Guadalupe who owns eight dogs.

"Okay na ho 'yun. Para kung makawala, alam ko kung nasaan," said another pet owner. — Margaret Claire Layug / AT, GMA News