Back in 2009, Parkmall in Mandaue City’s reclamation area started opening their doors to pets.
The Co family that owns Parkmall are pet lovers so they wanted to incorporate pet-loving values into the mall. This move has not only earned the two-level mall a reputation as a pet-loving mall but has increased foot traffic as well.
The sprawling property where Parkmall stands with an expanse of open space is ideal for pets to enjoy leisurely strolls.
Seventy percent of the property is open space which makes it possible for pets to play around.
Parkmall has also streamlined rules on pet entry by having pet owners avail of a Pet Pass ID. This is one way of promoting responsible pet ownership and ensures the safety of all shoppers. Members of the said pass can avail of perks such as the free anti-rabies vaccination for pets during pet events.
“We also made sure that the amenities within and around the mall are pet-friendly,” says Engr. Neal Carlson Co, General Manager of Parkmall.
Pet Stations, which are posts with a roll of clean plastic bags and trash bins for pet wastes, are conveniently stationed around the vicinity.
Parkmall has remained unsurpassed as the best pet-friendly mall in Cebu, its foot traffic unaffected by the presence of big city mall counterparts.
It has even gone beyond just being pet-friendly and has now recognized itself as Cebu’s only pet-loving mall as it continues to understand the needs of the pets and the pet-loving community.
In fact, Parkmall has recently been accredited by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) as an animal control facility, which means that the entire Parkmall property is safe and conducive for pets. Parkmall is the only mall in Cebu to be accredited as such by BAI.
Pet Festival Philippines, Parkmall’s pet-centered flagship event, is aimed towards promoting responsible pet ownership, which the mall has always been passionate about. “This is not a gimmick. We’re advocating responsible and intelligent pet ownership”, explains Co.
The event also celebrates the special relationship that exists between pets and pet owners and Parkmall. “Parkmall is a family-oriented mall. Most people treat their pets like family so it follows that Parkmall welcomes pets like family,” adds Co.
Now on its second year, Pet Festival Philippines, which happens on April 21-24, has become the biggest and most diverse gathering of pets and pet lovers not just in Cebu, but in the entire country as well.
This year, Parkmall is also hosting the 5th Cebu Dog Agility Cup organized by the Philippine Dog Athletics Association (PDAA). One of the event highlights is Pawshionista, a pet fashion runway contest now on its 7th year.
This year’s Pawshionista theme is “Pets Around the World” where participating pets will sport the national costume of their assigned countries on April 23, 2016.
Pet Festival Philippines will also be marked by a host of other fun activities like The Great Pet Adventure Race, Parkmall All-Breed Fun Match, Creative Dry-Grooming Competition, My Pet’s Got Talent video contest, Aquatic Cebu Enthusiasts Aquascaping Competition, Cebu Avian Society’s Bird Fun Match, and pet-centered exhibits to be participated by pet clubs and pet stores.
The event will be for the benefit of the Island Rescue Organization (IRO), a non-profit group that rescues and rehabilitates aspins and puspins before putting them up for adoption every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month as part of Parkmall’s regular Dog Walk. IRO has been the mall’s partner in all of its pet-centered events.
