IN an earnest effort to make Angono as pet-friendly locality, the town considered as the Art Capital of the Philippines transformed what used to be a community trash dump into a place for relaxation and recreation of fur animals.
Referred to as May Puso Pet Park, Mayor Jeri Mae Calderon – herself a pet lover, said that pets should also be considered a family member with “dignity and compassion” as provided for under Republic Act 8485 (Animal Welfare Act) which mandates adequate care for animals.
At the inaugural opening of the May Puso Pet Park, the first in Angono, Calderon boasted of its pet-friendly amenities for fur pets like dogs and cats – regardless of its breed. Interestingly, the 200-square meter pet park in Medalva Village II, which was constructed by the local government unit – in cooperation with the village residents, the Municipal Agriculture and Veterinary Office and the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) – used to be an illegal trashdump inside that was jointly closed down earlier by municipality and Barangay San Isidro.
The local chief executive said that while the pet park is open to the public, the LGU would strictly implement Republic Act 9482 which requires animal owners to get their pets dosed with anti-rabies vaccines and penalties for animal negligence. The mayor also hinted on establishing a pet cemetery soon.
