Pet-friendly
Good to know
Good to Know
- Apply for the SPSIC import permit online through the BAI well before travel — this cannot be arranged on arrival, and incomplete paperwork risks your pet being quarantined or sent back at your expense.
- Make sure your pet's microchip is ISO-compliant; since June 2018 pets without proper identification can be denied entry outright.
- If you're bringing more than 3 pets, you'll need multiple SPSIC permits and should expect quarantine may be required.
- Malls and condos in business districts like BGC, Makati, and Ortigas are noticeably more pet-friendly than older residential areas — factor this into where you choose to live if traveling with a pet.
- Even pet-friendly malls usually require small pets to stay in a carrier or stroller and large dogs to remain outside the building perimeter on a leash with a muzzle.
- Anti-rabies vaccination is legally required for pets in the Philippines under the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 — most local government units also run free annual rabies vaccination drives.
- Veterinary care in Makati and BGC runs noticeably more expensive (roughly 20-40% higher) than in Quezon City or other outer districts, so budget accordingly if you're based in the CBD areas.
- BGC itself has few if any true 24-hour private vet clinics on-site — the closest full overnight emergency facility is typically in Taguig proper (e.g., Taguig Animal Hospital) or Makati Dog and Cat Hospital, so know your route before an emergency happens.
- Traffic is a real factor: pick a vet that's genuinely close to where you're staying rather than assuming you can reach a clinic across town quickly in an emergency.
- Dry-season heat (roughly March–May) makes outdoor pet time uncomfortable in the middle of the day — plan park visits and outdoor cafe time for early morning or evening.
- Most cafes that allow pets restrict them to outdoor or al fresco seating rather than indoor tables — always ask/confirm with staff before sitting down with your dog.
Parks
Jaime C. Velasquez Park (JVP Park)
- Area
- Salcedo Village, Makati
- Description
- An open lawn-and-shaded-path park popular for morning dog walks, dogs generally on-leash with a small fenced off-leash area, plus a weekend market.
BGC Central Bark
- Area
- Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
- Description
- A 600-square-meter off-leash dog park open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. where dogs can run free; also occasionally hosts pet adoption events.
Circuit Makati Dog Park (The Barkyard, Ayala Malls Circuit)
- Area
- Circuit, Makati
- Description
- An official off-leash dog park with dog-friendly trails and evening lighting, functioning as a social hub for local dog owners.
BGC Greenway Linear Park
- Area
- Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
- Description
- A landscaped linear park with dog-friendly trails; many surrounding cafes and restaurants also welcome dogs.
Ayala Triangle Gardens
- Area
- Makati CBD
- Description
- A green urban park with open fields and shaded seating; dogs must stay on-leash but there is ample room to walk and play.
Cafes And Restaurants
Scout's Honor
- Area
- Uptown Mall, BGC
- Description
- Pet-friendly cafe known for cookies and milk bars; serves dog treats and welcomes pets in both indoor and outdoor seating.
Panco Cafe
- Area
- Makati
- Description
- A pet-friendly cafe blending modern Filipino flavors with Melbourne-style coffee culture.
Burnt Bean
- Area
- BGC
- Description
- A relaxed wood-fired-food spot with minimalist decor that welcomes pets for coffee-and-dessert stops or dinner.
The Fat Seed Cafe + Roastery
- Area
- Multiple branches (BGC, One Ayala Makati, Greenbelt, UPTC)
- Description
- A pet-friendly roastery chain where dogs can socialize in outdoor seating areas while owners enjoy coffee.
Commune Cafe + Bar + Roastery
- Area
- Salcedo Village / Poblacion, Makati
- Description
- A homey, laid-back cafe proudly pet-friendly and popular with creatives and the local community.
Caravan Black
- Area
- BGC (across Terra 28th Park)
- Description
- A pastry-and-coffee spot with bright mural interiors, popular for pet-watching while enjoying coffee near the park.
Harlan + Holden Coffee
- Area
- One Bonifacio High Street, BGC
- Description
- A minimalist, cashless coffee shop that welcomes well-behaved dogs if asked, with street-facing seating good for resting after a walk.
% Arabica
- Area
- BGC and Rockwell branches
- Description
- A global coffee brand whose BGC and Rockwell outdoor seating areas are welcoming to dogs.
Typical Pet Care Costs
Spay Neuter
- Cat Starting From
- ₱2,500
- Dog Starting From
- ₱3,500
- Note
- Final price varies by pet size/breed and whether bloodwork, anesthesia, pain meds, e-collar, and follow-up are bundled in.
Vaccination
- Low
- ₱400
- High
- ₱800
Standard Consultation
- Low
- ₱400
- High
- ₱800
- Note
- Clinics in Makati and BGC tend to charge the higher end of this range; Quezon City and outer-borough clinics are cheaper.
Emergency After Hours Surcharge
- Low
- ₱1,000
- High
- ₱2,000
- Note
- Added on top of the regular consultation fee for after-hours emergency visits.
Routine Checkup With Meds Average
- Low
- ₱2,500
- High
- ₱3,500
- Note
- A pet owner's reported real-world average per-visit bill once prescribed medicine is included, not just the base consultation fee.
Major Surgery With Confinement Example
- Low
- ₱30,000
- High
- ₱100,000
- Note
- Real examples cited by owners: a bladder-stone surgery ran about ₱30,000, while a month-long confinement with surgery and multiple blood transfusions ran ₱70,000–₱100,000.
Trusted Vets And Animal Hospitals
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital (Carlos Pet Care)
- Area
- Bel-Air / Poblacion, Makati
- Highlights
- Family-run since 1962 (four generations of the Carlos family), Makati's only true 24-hour veterinary hospital with dedicated overnight vets, ICU, digital X-ray, ultrasound, and endoscopy.
Beterinaryo Sa Fort (BSF)
- Area
- Kensington Place, 1st Avenue, BGC, Taguig
- Highlights
- At least five veterinarians on staff, open daily until midnight with 24/7 emergency contact available; also stocks pet food, pharmaceuticals, and preventive medications.
Animal House Veterinary Hospital
- Area
- Multiple branches: Makati, Quezon City, Manila, Taguig, Pasig, Alabang, San Juan, Bicutan, Greenhills
- Highlights
- The Makati branch runs 24 hours for emergency cases; offers house-call/pet pick-up service for stressed or large pets.
Vets in Practice (VIP)
- Area
- Mandaluyong (main), plus Quezon City branch
- Highlights
- Established 2003, known for strong dentistry and internal medicine; Mandaluyong branch accepts after-hours emergencies from 7:01 PM to 8:59 AM.
Philippine Animal Medical Center
- Area
- E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave., Bagumbayan, Quezon City
- Highlights
- A full tertiary-level animal hospital with ICU, surgery, and advanced imaging; functions as a referral hospital for complex cases.
Salcedo Veterinary Hospital
- Area
- Salcedo Village, Makati CBD
- Highlights
- Convenient for working professionals in the Makati CBD; strong reputation for dermatology and ophthalmology cases.
Zootopia Animal Wellness Center
- Area
- Bonifacio Global City (BGC)
- Highlights
- Positioned as a premium, Korean-standard animal hospital in BGC with advanced diagnostic imaging including CT scan and endoscopy.
Acceptance And Travel Requirements
Social Acceptance
- Caveats
- Acceptance is uneven: pet-friendliness is strongest in newer condos, malls, and expat-oriented districts, while older/traditional apartment buildings, public transport, and many street-level restaurants remain far less accommodating.
- Overview
- Manila and Metro Manila are broadly considered pet-friendly by regional standards, with dogs treated as visible members of the household ('fur babies') across malls, condos, and cafes.
- Housing Norms
- A growing number of Metro Manila condominiums explicitly market themselves as pet-friendly (common in areas like BGC/Taguig, Makati, Mandaluyong, and Quezon City), though buildings still set their own species/size limits and usually require proof of vaccination and annual registration with the building administrator.
- Ownership Culture
- The Philippines is one of the most pet-friendly countries in Asia, where 67% of the population own dogs and 43% own cats.
- Public Space Amenities
- Dedicated pet infrastructure exists but is concentrated in upscale mixed-use districts — examples include off-leash dog parks and pet-friendly retail/dining strips in townships such as BGC and Rockwell Center.
- Everyday Infrastructure
- SM Malls are generally pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry pal along without a need for a pet pass, though large dog breeds are typically only allowed outside the mall perimeter on a leash with a mouth guard, while small pets must be in carriers.
Entry Requirements
- Deworming
- Dogs and cats to be imported must all have been dewormed for internal and external parasites, with records submitted alongside vaccination proof.
- Microchip
- Mandatory identification of pet dog or cat with ISO compliant microchip/RFID is required, and proof of the microchip number must be submitted with the SPSIC application; effective June 1, 2018, dogs and cats imported without the required identification will be declined entry and returned to their origin.
- Pet Limit
- Up to three animals total (dogs or cats, or combination thereof) can be listed on one SPSIC, and imports of more than 4 dogs will trigger the need for quarantine according to relocation specialists (unofficial guidance).
- Minimum Age
- Only dogs and cats that are 120 days and above at the time of SPSIC application are allowed to be exported into the Philippines.
- Vaccination
- Pets must have valid vaccination administered by a licensed veterinarian, including rabies (initial rabies vaccination not less than 14 days prior to SPSIC application), with dogs additionally needing distemper, infectious hepatitis, leptospirosis and canine parvovirus coverage, and cats needing feline panleukopenia coverage.
- Ports Of Entry
- Pets can fly into the Philippines via Manila or Cebu, where they are examined by BAI Veterinary Quarantine Officers on arrival.
- Pregnancy Rule
- Pets that are pregnant at the time of SPSIC application shall not be allowed; if they have already given birth, an SPSIC may still be issued provided birth occurred not less than 12 weeks prior to travel.
- Permit Required
- Pet dogs and cats must first obtain an import permit from the Philippine Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), known as a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC), applied for online before travel.
- Regulatory Status
- Fully legal and regulated
- Health Certificate
- An international veterinary health certificate must be obtained from the competent authority of the country of origin, generally issued within 10 days of travel and stating the animal is free from and has not been exposed to any dangerous or communicable disease.
- Quarantine Outcome
- Pets traveling to the Philippines do not need to be quarantined if they meet all the necessary requirements listed above, but dogs and cats who do not meet the requirements will be sent back to the country of origin at the expense of the owner, or may be seized/confiscated if arriving without the required health certificate and SPSIC.
- Rabies Free Country Exception
- Anti-rabies vaccination could be waived for pets from rabies-free countries (per current World Organisation for Animal Health status), provided the country of origin's veterinary authority adds this as an attestation on the export health certificate.
- Layover Note
- For pets transiting through Manila, airline policies on holding animals during layovers vary; short connections are generally fine but longer layovers can require the pet to formally clear Philippine customs, triggering the full document requirement even for a transit stop.
Documents Checklist
- Approved SPSIC (import permit) from BAI, applied online before departure
- International veterinary health certificate from country of origin (issued within ~10 days of travel)
- Proof of ISO-compliant microchip number
- Vaccination and antiparasitic/deworming records
- Photograph of the actual pet
- Pet passport, if available/applicable
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
This section has no cited sources.
More About Manila
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.