Animal Welfare Groups Demand Closure of Bacolod City Pound Over Alleged Neglect

Animal welfare advocates have united in denouncing the Bacolod City Pound, urging authorities to remove the head of the City Veterinary Office and close the pound due to alleged persistent neglect and mismanagement. The collective, led by the Pawssion Project, described the facility as a "mass grave" for dogs and cats, highlighting nearly a decade of systematic animal mistreatment.

The group revealed that despite substantial financial and logistical contributions from private supporters, the city government has not provided funding to sustain the pound’s operations. Furthermore, they criticized the facility for failing to meet essential standards, noting its lack of registration with the Bureau of Animal Industry.

An online petition seeking at least 5,000 signatures calls for formal appeals to be made to the Animal Kingdom Foundation, aiming to take the issue to the Ombudsman and the Department of the Interior and Local Government. The petitioners accuse the City Veterinarian of neglecting to implement effective welfare programs or maintain transparency since 2015.

In addition, the animal welfare groups have appealed to Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya to intervene urgently. They also encourage local residents to support dog and cat welfare by adopting and fostering animals from the pound.

"The ongoing conditions within the facility are unacceptable and demand immediate action," the statement from Pawssion Project emphasized.