PDEA opens adoption for retiring drug detection dogs

Dog lovers now have an option of owning a pet capable of sniffing out illegal drugs, as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has opened for adoption its retired narcotic detection dogs.

PDEA spokesperson Derrick Carreon confirmed to GMA News Online on Friday that the agency has initially set the "meet-and-greet" of interested adopters on May 3 at the PDEA K-9 Unit Facility in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

"It is actually an initial schedule, yung May 3... initial meet-and-greet ng would-be adopters. As far as I know, i-screen nang mabuti yung mga mag-a-adopt," Carreon told GMA News Online in a phone interview.

The PDEA announced on Facebook the "adoption day" of nine PDEA-owned dogs, whose retirement were based on performance on drug detection and health conditions.

Carreon said among the criteria the PDEA is looking for are the financial capacity of the would-be owner and the living conditions of the dog.

"Yung criteria, apart from the capability, living conditions, financial capacity of the would-be dog owner, hindi sila puwede gamitin for commercial purposes," Carreon said.

Carreon said the retired dogs have an average age of seven years old.

He added the formal adoption process will be scheduled on a later date after the meet-and-greet. — RSJ, GMA News