By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr.

Between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight last November 4, Community Animal Rescue Efforts, Inc. (CARE) successfully spayed and neutered 49 cats and 51 dogs at their clinic in Kametal, located in Bacolod City’s Barangay Mandalagan.

Under their Free Kapon Program, CARE coordinated with Li-An Ascalon of Help Mandaluyong Animal Shelter Dogs (Help MAS Dogs) and invited a team of veterinary doctors, nurses, and assistants from Manila and flew them in to spay and neuter animals.

In addition, Ascalon, who is an animal welfare educator, gave a talk on animal welfare and responsible pet ownership to empower different groups and advocates in Bacolod City. During the seminar, the two processes were differentiated with spaying being the removal of reproductive organ, while neutering is the surgical removal of testicles.

According to experts, spaying and neutering is the easiest, safest, and most reliable form of animal population control and management intervention as a means of stopping the spread of unwanted stray animals and resulting in a cleaner environment and prevention of rabies incidents.

CARE extends its appreciation to Ascalon; head surgeon, Dr. Candice ‘Spay Bae’ Solis; Dr. Mayem Yao; Dr. Tisha Canzon; Dr. Daphne Gelera; Mike Magpantay; Jaz Aquino; Manuel Ramos; Jonie Mariano; Mac Millares and all sponsors that made the first Free Kapon Program possible.

Also in attendance were animal welfare advocate groups including Strategic Power for Animal Respondents-Philippines (SPAR-Philippines), Bacolod Aspin Rescue Kennel (BARK), and the PAWssion Project.

For more details and updates, please check the CARE Facebook page at facebook.com/CAREbacolod./JSG.WDJ