City Hall open to dog pound management takeover

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The city government of Iloilo is open to other organizations taking over the management of the Iloilo City Pound and Animal Shelter (ICPAS) at the Calajunan Sanitary Landfill in Mandurriao district.

“If there are people willing to take over the management, then that’s good. The city will just help,” Mayor Jerry Treñas said.

Treñas noted that the City Veterinary Office (CVO) will assist in ensuring that animals are provided with food, medical assistance, and additional shelter personnel.

Established in June 2022, the ICPAS does not have a regular budget, according to the city mayor. The funds to maintain the facility are sourced from other budget allocations.

The 400-square-meter pound received a License to Operate from the Bureau of Animal Industry in March 2023, the first in the entire Visayas region.

The city government also called on the public to be responsible pet owners. “This all boils down to responsible pet ownership because this will just be a recurring problem,” Treñas said.

Animal welfare groups recently called on the city government regarding the alleged killing of a dog and cases of dog food theft at the ICPAS.

“We urge the City Government of Iloilo to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the reported inhumane killing of impounded dogs and the theft of dog food at the city pound, as detailed by a witness,” the letter addressed to Treñas and City Veterinarian Dr. Fernando Abulencia reads.

“We strongly condemn the cruelty demonstrated by the suspects involved and advocate for their immediate dismissal and prosecution for their actions,” it added.

The city mayor then ordered Abulencia to provide a detailed written report on the incident, saying, “These cannot be allowed to happen under my watch.”

Meanwhile, the city council is also pushing for an ordinance that would create the Iloilo City Animal Welfare Council. The ordinance has already passed the second reading.