A longtime dream of pet owner and local business leader Xavier Mercado turned into reality as the first pet cemetery in San Fernando City was formally opened in time for the celebration of National Pet Day.
Located within the 55-hectare La Union Botanical Garden, the cemetery designates at least 1,000 square meters for the burial of registered cats and dogs. The initiative aims to give fur parents a dignified space to mourn their departed companions while promoting environmental conservation.
“This is a dream come true,” said Mercado, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of La Union and founder of the Association of Tourism Industries and Networks. “Many of us who love pets know how painful it is to lose one and not have a proper place to say goodbye,” he added.
Burial Comes with Tree-Planting for Sustainability
To avail of burial services, pet owners are required to plant a native guava tree and a bougainvillea at the gravesite. The native guava supports biodiversity by serving as habitat and food source for wildlife, while bougainvillea—declared as La Union’s provincial flower—adds cultural and ecological value to the space.
The tree-planting initiative is expected to transform the burial grounds into a thriving guava forest, enhancing soil health and contributing to the botanical garden’s overall biodiversity.
Public-Private Effort Behind Project Realization
The pet cemetery was established through the collaboration of several stakeholders, including the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of La Union, Association of Tourism Industries and Networks, Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council, and the city government’s Environment and Natural Resources Office and Veterinary Office.
Mercado recalled his emotional motivation for the project—his childhood dog, “Lucky,” who died in an accident and was discarded due to a lack of burial options at the time.
“Now, pet owners will have a peaceful place to grieve and remember. This is our way of showing gratitude for the unconditional love our pets gave us,” he said.
