Caring for pets doesn’t always have to come with a hefty price tag. Around Cebu, government-led veterinary services and public clinics are making it easier for pet owners to access affordable healthcare, while also addressing issues like stray management and animal welfare. Whether you’re in the city or out in the islands, here are the key public vet services every Cebuano pet parent should know about.
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF)
The DVMF is Cebu City’s frontline office for animal health and welfare. For just ₱200 per pet, owners can have their furry companions registered, a fee that already covers deworming, vitamins, a check-up, and anti-rabies vaccination. The office also facilitates low-cost spay and neuter services through barangay schedules, while managing stray dog impounding and adoption programs. It’s a hub for responsible pet ownership, blending accessibility with community care.
How To Get There?
Location: Xiamen St., Mabolo, Cebu City
By Car: Navigate Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries via Waze or GoogleMap.
By Commute: Ride any jeepney bound to SM City Cebu or Mabolo and walk to Xiamen Street where the office is located.
Mobile Veterinary Clinic (Rotating across Cebu City barangays)
Taking veterinary care directly to the people, the Cebu City government launched a Mobile Veterinary Clinic that regularly visits different barangays. The service provides free anti-rabies vaccinations and free spay and neuter procedures during scheduled stops. For pet owners unable to travel to the main DVMF office, this rolling clinic ensures essential healthcare is always within reach.
Provincial Veterinary Clinic in Camotes
Marking a milestone for the Philippines, the Provincial Veterinary Clinic in Camotes is recognized as the first public veterinary clinic in the country. Beyond the basics of vaccination and consultation, the clinic offers advanced services like surgery, x-rays, ultrasounds, and laboratory tests, all at subsidized rates. This initiative doesn’t just serve household pets, it’s also a lifeline for farmers and livestock owners in the island community.
How To Get There?
Location: Barangay Calmante, Tudela, Camotes Island
By Car: Drive to Danao Port, take the Ro-Ro ferry to Consuelo Port, Camotes, then head south by car to Tudela, Barangay Calmante, where the Provincial Veterinary Clinic is located
By Commute: From Cebu City, ride a bus or van at the North Bus Terminal to Danao Port, board a passenger ferry to Consuelo Port, Camotes, then take a motorcycle or habal-habal (motorbike taxi) to Tudela, Barangay Calmante, where the Provincial Veterinary Clinic is located.
These government-backed veterinary services highlight Cebu’s growing commitment to both pet owners and animal welfare. With a blend of affordability and accessibility, they ensure that proper care is no longer out of reach for the everyday Cebuano. From free barangay vaccinations to the country’s pioneering public vet clinic, Cebu still has a long way to go in terms of improving the healthcare of our furbabies, these free and affordable clinics are a stepping stone in achieving a pet friendly community.
