April 4, 2025 – The City of Bacolod, through its City Veterinary Office, officially opens the first-ever Bacolod Pet Festival today at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central Activity Center.

Present during the ceremony were Councilors Thaddy Sayson, Jason Villarosa, Kalaw Puentevella, and Celia Flor, Assistant City Veterinarian Dr. John Michael Cabuguason, Provincial Health Office Dr. Rowel Gerson, together with animal welfare advocates such as the Community Animal Rescue Efforts (CARE), Inc., Bacolod Animal Chance & Hope (BACH) Project PH, Pawssion Project, among many others.

During the event, Councilor Kalaw Puentevella emphasized that the Bacolod Pet Festival is a movement and statement that the city advocates for animal welfare and the crucial role that the City Veterinarians play in ensuring a rabies-free community.

Assistant City Veterinarian, Dr. John Michael Cabuguason, also shared the numerous animal welfare-related initiatives of the city such as the establishment of the largest local government-operated animal shelter in the country that is complete with a multi-purpose hall, an office, an open space with secure perimeters, and can accommodate up to 1,000 animals.

Additionally, the event featured the launching of the Pet I.D. or the digital registration that aims to store the digital records of dogs and cats, including the vaccination and the owner through the use of a QR code. Sydney is the very first dog that was registered during the event.

The Bacolod Pet Festival continues until April 6 with exhibits and a pet adoption drive, among many others at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central Activity Center.

Source – Bacolod City PIO