FEATURE: The beginning of an ambitious project, CARE KAPON ang Solusyon!

As the very first extensive Animal Welfare Program in Bacolod City, CARE KAPON ang Solusyon’s final operation is fast approaching, another animal welfare project is brewing behind closed doors. The very first Barangay “Free Kapon Program”, Free Spay and Neuter with Seminar on Education, Awareness on Animal Welfare, Fighting Against Animal Cruelty and Responsible Pet Ownership hosted by CARE (Community Animal Rescue Efforts Inc.)

With the support of Falcor Marketing giving away TopBreed Freebies, Congressman Jose Francisco “KIKO” Bantug Benitez, Councilor Wilson “Jun” Gamboa sponsoring the meals for the volunteers and Congressman Albee Benitez as the main spay and neuter campaign donor of the very first wide local Animal Welfare Program in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

Congressman Albee Benitez has undoubtedly strongly supported Irene Gamboa, the vice president of CARE (Community Animal Rescue Efforts Inc.), wife of Councilor Wilson “Jun” Gamboa for the ambitious project focusing on the major targeted Barangays in Bacolod mainly Banago, Bata, Mandalagan, Villamonte, Singcang, Taculing, Alijis, Tangub, Mansilingan, Pahanocoy, Pta. Taytay, Handumanan, Sum-ag, Cabug, Felisa, Granada, Alangilan, Estefania, Montevista, and Vista Alegre. Because of the current COVID-19 Pandemic, we are privileged that we have such hosts and donors that are animal welfare advocates to support the program.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic started, Irene Gamboa has been helping the community leaving no one behind, supporting families that have been impacted, ensuring that their domesticated pets are well kept and are not left alone unsupervised in case of urgent situations abiding with the quarantine health protocols. She is an active volunteer, rescuer, organizer of animal welfare-related fundraising events and educating the community through awareness on responsible pet ownership.

The non-government organization was able to reach the goal of providing education to the community represented by individuals from every barangay. A seminar was given on Animal Welfare Act (RA 8485), fighting against Animal Cruelty, Anti Rabies Act (RA 9482), and our City Ordinance 544 for Responsible Pet Ownership, an ordinance establishing dog owners’ responsibility requiring enclosures or fenced-in yards for pet dogs as a preventive measure against the occurrence of rabies, injury, damage, and other hazards.

Due to the number of animal cruelty reports, steps on how to file a complaint against animal cruelty have been discussed to empower each individual in the community to step up against neglect and abuse. The seminar included the difference between a private shelter and a local city pound, comparison between an (NGO) Non-Government Organization and an (LGU) Local Government Unit and its roles, misconception about rabies, the importance of Spay and Neuter to curbing the overpopulation of strays, and the importance of spay and neuter to the health of our domesticated pets.

These events that have been planned and implemented on a barangay level to cater those family or individuals offered for free only for aspins and puspins assisting those who cannot afford to pay for the spay and neuter procedures for their pets.

Several non-government organizations and individuals showed their support to the cause. Tito’s and Tita’s of Bacolod were there, a group of individuals coming from the different barangays and sectors of Bacolod. Marseille Grace Sendico, (TTOB) spokesperson, Genelyn Castandiello, Cheralde Reyes, John Charmel Caspe, and Angel Durana. (LBCVA) Libertad, Burgos, Central Market Vendors Association representatives, Padayon Pradyek, and social media influencer Lagawander to show their support and stand for the voiceless animals.

With the success of these projects, more activities will be in place, something that we can look forward to, for the love of the animals. One of those projects is the City Ordinance No. 825 (Bawaw) which sets every 28th day of September to the 4th day of October of the year as “Animal Welfare Awareness Week” in Bacolod that focuses on various activities and programs to effectively inform and educate the community of the designated laws, rules and regulations of the city and the country through education that aims to promote animal welfare awareness.* (Witch Dog)