By Xander Ledesma
In a significant step toward improving animal welfare, the city government will establish a PHP10-million dog shelter in Hacienda Conchita, Barangay Granada. The facility, capable of accommodating up to 1, 000 dogs, will be funded through a portion of the city’s loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines.
Dr. John Michael Cabuguason, the assistant city veterinarian, shared that the shelter is a priority project under Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez’s administration, addressing the pressing issue of stray dogs in the city.
“Bacolod is a ‘super city,’ and we must tackle this basic problem. A large part of the solution lies in having the infrastructure to house stray dogs rescued from our streets,” Cabuguason said in an interview on Tuesday.
Currently, the City Veterinary Office (CVO) operates a dog pound in Barangay 35, but it can only accommodate 150 dogs—a far cry from what is needed to address the growing population of strays.
Mayor Benitez emphasized the urgency of the project, noting that the city’s existing facility is insufficient to handle the number of stray dogs rounded up by the CVO. “We need a shelter large enough to absorb all the stray dogs,” he said, highlighting his commitment to seeing the project through.
The new dog shelter is expected to be completed by mid-2025, marking a race against time to ensure better conditions for stray animals and improved public safety. Once operational, it will represent a significant stride in Bacolod’s animal welfare initiatives, demonstrating the city’s dedication to humane treatment and responsible management of its stray dog population.