Microchip implants would be made mandatory in pets – cats and dogs – in Cebu City to strengthen responsible pet ownership.

According to Dr. Alice Utlang, Cebu City veterinarian, the use of microchips would be mandatory beginning July 2025.

As early as May 2025, the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries called on the registration of dogs and cats to avoid penalties.

As of this writing, the implanting of microchips to pets is still voluntary. But to encourage active participation in the community, this will be made mandatory.

The microchip will contain data about the owner of the pets. The data will help track owners should the dogs roam around or get involved in bite incidents.

The microchip will be inserted under the pet’s skin.

One of the reasons why dog bite incidents are quite high in the city, Utlang said, is because of dogs that are not properly taken care of by their owners.

Utlang further urged pet owners who are keeping over 10 dogs and cats to secure a permit at the City Hall.

Utlang said that while there are quite a number of people who took on petkeeping as part of their advocacy, but many of them do not have permits. Utlang urged pet owners to comply with the guidelines.