Bacolod City has taken significant steps to address animal welfare concerns with a key appointment and a major infrastructure plan. Mayor Greg Gasataya has officially named Dr. Janine Sarthou as the new Assistant City Veterinarian, effective December 2, 2025.
New Leadership for Animal Welfare
Dr. Sarthou's appointment follows the resignation of former Assistant City Veterinarian Dr. John Michael Cabuguason, who left his post on October 1, 2025, to return to the City Government of Victorias. Mayor Gasataya emphasized that Sarthou was selected after a thorough two-month vetting process, aiming to bring compassionate leadership to the city's veterinary office.
A native of Cebu, Dr. Sarthou expressed her gratitude to the Bacolod City Government. She stated that her first week would be dedicated to a ground-level assessment of the conditions at the City Pound. "I have a heart for animals since I have been working with spaying and other veterinary work for many years now," she affirmed.
P10-M Shelter Complex and Urgent Reforms
The announcement coincided with a crucial meeting on Tuesday, December 2, between Mayor Gasataya and representatives from various animal welfare organizations. The gathering at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) focused on urgent issues surrounding rescued pets at the overcrowded City Pound.
During the meeting, the mayor presented the proposed P10-million City Veterinary Office and Animal Shelter Complex, slated for construction in Barangay 35. The new facility, expected to be completed within 8 to 10 months, will feature its own veterinary clinic and a centralized adoption processing center.
Given the critical state of the current pound, where operator Sam Daniel of Furhaven Rescue Sanctuary warned that dogs could die within three weeks, immediate short-term measures were agreed upon:
- Separation of sick animals from healthy ones.
- Massive sanitization of the pound area.
- Restoration of power and securing of rice supplies.
- Temporary relocation of animals to decongest the facility.
- Demolition of informal structures around the pound due to public health hazards.
"Part of the short-term measures is to assess the city pound and come up with immediate improvements," Mayor Gasataya stated.
Focus on Functionality and Future Policy
Animal welfare groups, including Pawssion Project, CARE, Furhaven Rescue Sanctuary, BACH, and BARK, urged a practical approach to the new shelter's design. They advised the City Engineering Office, led by Engineer Loben Ceballos, to prioritize functionality over aesthetics, directing the budget towards strong roofing and spacious areas for the animals. "After all, the facility is for the dogs, not the humans," they emphasized.
To tackle the root cause of stray animal overpopulation, a stricter policy framework was proposed. This includes a Dog Registration Bill that would impose a P500 penalty per household for unregistered pets.
Furthermore, Mayor Gasataya directed that all job order workers assigned to the new pound undergo vetting to ensure they possess a genuine "heart for animals" and are motivated by care, not just employment.
