What is the dog vaccination schedule in the Philippines?

First deworming at about 2 weeks, repeated every 2 weeks. The core combo (5-in-1 or 6-in-1) starts at 6 to 8 weeks, with doses every 2 to 4 weeks, and the final puppy dose at 16 weeks or older. The first rabies shot is given as early as 12 weeks. At 1 year, a rabies booster plus the first annual combo booster. After that, rabies every year and the combo or leptospirosis booster yearly or as your vet advises.

What is the penalty for not vaccinating or registering my dog under RA 9482?

Section 11 of RA 9482 sets a fine of 2,000 pesos for a pet owner who fails or refuses to have the dog registered and immunized against rabies. An owner who refuses vaccination is also liable to pay for vaccinating the dog and anyone the dog bites.

Where can I get free anti-rabies vaccination in Davao City?

At the City Veterinarian's Office at the City Hall Annex on Pichon Street (the vaccination clinic is on the ground floor), or at any District Veterinary Office, Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm except holidays. The CVO also runs free barangay vaccination drives, with a big push every March for Rabies Awareness Month. The dog should be at least 3 months old, healthy, and must not have bitten anyone. Check the City Veterinarian's Office Davao City Facebook page for the current schedule.

My dog bit someone. What am I required to do in the Philippines?

Under Section 5 of RA 9482 you must immediately assist the bite victim and shoulder their medical and anti-rabies costs, report the incident to the concerned officials within 24 hours, and place the dog under veterinary observation. Refusing observation is a 10,000 peso fine; refusing observation and refusing to pay the victim's medical bills raises it to 25,000 pesos.

Dog Vaccination in Davao: Schedule, RA 9482 & Costs

Q: How early can a puppy get its first rabies shot, and how often after that?

As early as 12 weeks of age (the Bureau of Animal Industry sets the minimum at 84 days). A booster follows about a year later. After that, the standard in the Philippines is to re-vaccinate against rabies every year, which is what the Anti-Rabies Act's implementing rules and most LGUs require and how free city vaccination drives are run.

Q: Is rabies vaccination required by law in the Philippines?

Yes. Republic Act 9482 (the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007) requires dog owners to have their dog regularly vaccinated against rabies, keep a registration and vaccination card, and register the dog with their LGU. The implementing rules and local ordinances set the practical standard at annual re-vaccination.

Q: Do indoor dogs still need a rabies vaccine?

Yes. RA 9482 applies to all dogs regardless of where they live, and rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. Indoor dogs can still escape, be bitten by a stray or bat, or bite a visitor, so annual rabies vaccination is recommended for every dog.

Last updated June 2026 · General information for Davao pet parents, not a substitute for advice from a licensed veterinarian.

Vaccinating and registering your dog is the law in the Philippines, and in Davao the rabies shot is free at the City Veterinarian's Office. This guide gives you the full puppy and adult vaccination schedule, a plain-language explainer of what RA 9482 (the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007) requires of owners, the fines, typical costs, and exactly where to go in Davao City.

The short version

First rabies shot: as early as 12 weeks old (BAI minimum age is 84 days).
How often: a booster at 1 year, then rabies every year (the standard set by RA 9482's rules and most LGUs).
It is the law: RA 9482 requires you to vaccinate and register your dog and keep a vaccination card.
Skipping it: a ₱2,000 fine for failing to register and immunize your dog (Sec. 11).
In Davao: the anti-rabies shot is free at the City Veterinarian's Office and barangay drives.

The dog vaccination schedule (Philippines)

A typical schedule used by Philippine vets. Exact ages, intervals and brands vary, so confirm the plan for your own dog with your veterinarian.

Age	What is given	Notes
~2 weeks	First deworming	Repeat every 2 weeks until 3 months, then monthly until 6 months. Deworm before vaccinating.
6 to 8 weeks	1st combo: 5-in-1 (DHPP) or 6-in-1 (DHPPiL)	Start of the core puppy series.
10 to 12 weeks	2nd combo dose	Given 2 to 4 weeks after the first.
12 weeks (3 months)	Earliest anti-rabies shot	BAI minimum age 84 days. Often given here or with the next combo dose.
16 weeks or older	Final combo dose (+ rabies if not yet given)	The puppy series must finish no earlier than 16 weeks. Full protection comes about 2 weeks later.
~6 months	Deworming tapers; optional combo re-check	WSAVA suggests a re-dose at about 26 weeks to catch pups whose 16-week shot was blocked.
1 year	Rabies booster + first annual combo booster	One year after the puppy series.
Every year	Rabies (annual) + combo / lepto per vet	Rabies yearly is the PH standard. Core components may go every 3 years; lepto and kennel cough are best boosted annually.

5-in-1 vs 6-in-1 vs rabies: what is the difference?

The 5-in-1 (DHPP) protects against distemper, adenovirus / hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza. The 6-in-1 (DHPPiL) adds leptospirosis (and some brands add coronavirus). Many Davao vets favour the 6-in-1 because leptospirosis spreads through floodwater and soil. Rabies is a separate vaccine and the only one specifically required by national law. Kennel cough (Bordetella) is an optional yearly shot worth getting if your dog boards, is groomed, or visits dog parks.

What RA 9482 asks of every dog owner

Republic Act No. 9482, the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007, makes responsible pet ownership a legal duty. As a dog owner, Section 5 requires you to:

Vaccinate and keep records. Have your dog regularly vaccinated against rabies and keep a registration and vaccination card listing every shot. (The implementing rules and most LGUs set this at annual re-vaccination.)
Register your dog with your LGU. (Secs. 5 and 7; in Davao this is done at the City Veterinarian's Office.)
Leash and control your dog. Do not let it roam streets or any public place without a leash.
If your dog bites someone: immediately assist the victim and shoulder their medical and anti-rabies costs, report the incident within 24 hours, and place your dog under veterinary observation.

Penalties under RA 9482 (Section 11)

Situation	Fine
Failing or refusing to register and immunize your dog	₱2,000
Refusing to leash your dog when brought outside the house	₱500 per incident
Refusing to put a biting dog under observation	₱10,000
Refusing observation and not paying the bite victim's medical bills	₱25,000
Reclaiming an impounded dog (release fee, Sec. 11(6))	₱500 to ₱1,000

On top of the fine, an owner who refuses vaccination is separately liable to pay for vaccinating the dog and anyone it bites (Sec. 11(2)). Unregistered, stray or unvaccinated dogs can be impounded; a dog unclaimed after 3 days may be put up for adoption or disposed of under the Animal Welfare Act (Sec. 9).

Free shots & registration in Davao City

In Davao you do not have to pay for the rabies shot. The City Veterinarian's Office (CVO) provides free anti-rabies vaccination, free castration (spay / neuter), and free microchipping.

Where & when

City Veterinarian's Office, City Hall Annex, Pichon St. (vaccination clinic on the ground floor), or any District Veterinary Office across the city's 11 districts. Mon to Fri, 8:00am to 4:30pm (except holidays), plus free barangay drives, with a big push every March for Rabies Awareness Month.

Before you go

Your dog should be at least 3 months old, healthy, and must not have bitten anyone. Bring any existing vaccination card. Schedules change, so confirm the current date and contact number on the City Veterinarian's Office - Davao City Facebook page (numbers listed locally include (082) 225-3050).

Locally, Davao also has Ordinance No. 0902-22 (commonly called the "DWELL" ordinance), which amends the 1974 stray-dog ordinance and reinforces dog registration, leashing and anti-rabies vaccination. The CVO offers free microchipping that links your contact details to your pet, which helps reunite lost dogs.

What it costs at a private clinic

Prefer a private vet, or need other shots? These are typical Davao ranges only. Prices vary by clinic and change over time, so confirm before you book.

Service	Typical Davao price
Anti-rabies shot	₱250 to ₱500 (free at the City Vet Office)
5-in-1 / core combo	₱300 to ₱600 (up to ~₱800)
Consultation	₱300 to ₱600
Deworming	₱250 to ₱500

Find a vet clinic in Davao →

If your dog bites someone

Act fast, for the victim's safety and to stay within the law:

Have the bite victim wash the wound right away with soap and running water.
Send them to a government Animal Bite Treatment Center (ABTC) immediately. There are around 50 across the Davao Region and post-exposure vaccination for people is free there.
As the owner (RA 9482, Sec. 5): assist the victim and shoulder their medical and anti-rabies costs, report the incident within 24 hours, and place your dog under veterinary observation.

Why this matters right now

Davao is not rabies-free. Rabies deaths in the Davao Region rose from 24 in 2023 to 36 in 2024, and cases continued climbing into 2025 (figures as of 2024 to 2025 reporting; check DOH-Davao for the latest). Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but it is 100% preventable with vaccination. Keeping your dog's annual shot current, on time, protects your dog, your family, and your community.

Frequently asked questions

How early can a puppy get its first rabies shot, and how often after?

As early as 12 weeks (the BAI minimum is 84 days). A booster follows about a year later, then rabies every year, which is what RA 9482's rules and most LGUs require.

Is rabies vaccination required by law in the Philippines?

Yes. RA 9482 requires owners to regularly vaccinate against rabies, keep a vaccination card, and register the dog with their LGU. The implementing rules and local ordinances set the practical standard at annual re-vaccination.

Do indoor dogs still need a rabies vaccine?

Yes. The law covers all dogs, and an indoor dog can still escape, be bitten by a stray, or bite a visitor. Annual rabies vaccination is recommended for every dog.

What is the difference between the 5-in-1 and 6-in-1?

The 5-in-1 (DHPP) covers distemper, adenovirus / hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza. The 6-in-1 (DHPPiL) adds leptospirosis, which is valued in the Philippines because it spreads through floodwater.

Where can I get a free anti-rabies shot in Davao?

At the City Veterinarian's Office (City Hall Annex, Pichon St.), any District Veterinary Office, or a barangay drive. Mon to Fri, 8:00am to 4:30pm. Your dog should be at least 3 months old, healthy, and must not have bitten anyone.

Never miss a booster again

Petagon gives your dog a verified ID and QR passport that stores every vaccination, so any vet or park can confirm it at a glance, and reminds you when the next shot is due.

Open the Petagon app Browse Davao vets

Sources

Republic Act No. 9482 (Anti-Rabies Act of 2007), full text: LawPhil and the Official Gazette.
Vaccination ages and schedule: Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and the WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines.
Free vaccination, registration and microchipping: Davao City Veterinarian's Office.

This guide is general information and may go out of date. It is not a substitute for advice from a licensed veterinarian, or for the official text of the law and current LGU rules. Verify schedules, fees and contact details with your vet and the City Veterinarian's Office.