BACOLOD CITY – Pet lovers and their furry companions came together for Bacolod’s first-ever Pet Festival, which kicked off Saturday (March 30) with a lively pet walk at Panaad Park.
Organized by the City Veterinary Office (CVO), the weeklong event promotes responsible pet ownership, animal welfare, and rabies awareness under the theme “Building a Safe and Rabies-Free Community is Our Shared Responsibility.”
Assistant city veterinarian Dr. John Michael Cabuguason underscored the festival’s significance in fostering a stronger bond between pets and their owners. “We are very happy that so many fur parents and fur babies joined the pet walk,” he said.
The festival features a variety of activities designed to engage pet lovers across the city.
On Sunday, the Philippine Canine Club Inc. hosted an All-Breed Dog Show at the Robinsons Place Mall.
A three-day pet expo at Ayala Malls Capitol Central begins on April 4, featuring the launch of a pet identification (ID) program, a rabies awareness contest, a cat meetup, pet agility training, a pet fashion show, and a talk on rescue and shelter management.
Free spay and neuter services for cats will also be available.
One of the festival’s key highlights is the introduction of a pet registration system.
“We’re launching the pet registration at the event. Owners will learn how to register their pets using a QR code system, and we’ll provide temporary IDs with an option for dog and cat tags. This system will allow us to maintain digital records,” Cabuguason explained.
Pet registration requires a one-time fee of P50.
Adding to the excitement, the “FURrytales: 1st Bacolod Pet Festival Short Film Competition” will be launched on April 4. Registration is open until April 11, with teaser and poster submissions due on April 18 and final films to be submitted by April 25.
With a packed lineup of events, the Bacolod Pet Festival not only celebrates the city’s love for pets but also reinforces the importance of responsible pet ownership and animal welfare in the community.