Mayor Greg Gasataya said a more than P10 million Bacolod City Veterinary Office and Animal Shelter Complex that can house up to 500 dogs will be built on a 2,000-square meter property in Barangay 35, Bacolod City.
Gasataya on Monday, Dec. 1, announced the plan for the shelter, as animal rights advocates called for the shutdown the Bacolod City dog pound in Brgy 35 and the removal of the current city veterinarian, Dr. Maria Agueda Trinidad Flores dela Torre.
“The dog pound in Bacolod has just become a mass grave for so many dogs and even cats again,” Pawssion Project said in a Facebook post on Friday, Nov. 28.
The city government has allocated P10 million from its loan for the animal shelter and additional funds will be added to increase the area where animals can be accommodated, he said.
The construction will be in 10 months’ time, he said.
Meanwhile, a shortterm plan will be implemented to improve conditions at the current animal shelter, including its electricity and water needs, Gasataya said.
Addtional dog cages will also be constructed.
Solar panels will be installed to power the facility, the mayor said, noting that the City Veterinarian’s Office has an unpaid electricity bill of about P800,000, Gasataya said.
On the call for the removal of the city veterinarian, Gasataya said they will review her performance.
Meanwhile, the city government is hiring a new assistant veterinarian who is compassionate to animals, following the resignation of n Dr. John Michael Cabuguason who returned to Victorias City, the mayor said.*