Bacolod City is taking significant steps to improve animal welfare by planning to construct a PHP10-million dog shelter in Hacienda Conchita, Barangay Granada. This new facility, which will be able to house up to 1,000 dogs, will be financed through a loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines. Dr. John Michael Cabuguason, the assistant city veterinarian, emphasized the necessity of this project, stating that as a ‘super city,’ Bacolod must address the issue of stray dogs effectively. He mentioned that the proposal is in its final stages and expressed the mayor’s, Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, strong commitment to seeing the project through. The infrastructure is seen as a crucial part of managing the stray dog population. Dr. Cabuguason hopes the shelter will be completed by mid-next year, describing it as a race against time. Currently, the City Veterinary Office manages a smaller dog pound in Barangay 35, which can only accommodate up to 150 dogs. Mayor Benitez has acknowledged the limitations of the current facility and the urgent need for a larger shelter to handle all stray dogs collected by the city’s veterinary services.
