Have pet pass, will get access
Eastwood City, one of the first shopping centers to open its grounds to pets, has always been loved by pet owners. Not only for its annual pet blessing and shows, but also for granting access to pets even inside restaurants and shops.
Kevin Tan, Megaworld vice president and head of its Commercial Division, ironically doesn’t own a dog like the ones you see every day in Eastwood — not the kind of pet that you can walk. He owns a tortoise instead, which was given to him by TV host and animal lover Kim Atienza.
“It’s a soiree of pets here,” says Kevin of Eastwood during weekends (even on weekends when there aren’t pet-oriented activities). “So to make it easier for tenants and pet owners, we’ve come up with the ‘pet seal.’” The “seal” comes in two categories: a Gold Paw and a Silver Paw that stores and restaurants in Eastwood Mall, Citywalk 1 and 2, and the rest of the pet-friendly buildings in Eastwood, display on their storefront.
The Gold Paw is a sign that the establishment grants unrestricted access to pets, which means that they can go with their owners everywhere, even in the fitting rooms. The Silver Paw means limited access. For a restaurant, this may mean that they can only accompany their owners in the al fresco section; for a boutique, they may only go as far as the entrance.
Eastwood issues pet passes to pet owners as a way to promote pet responsibility. If you don’t pick up after your pet, you get fined, but Kevin says they hardly have that kind of problem since pet owners that go to Eastwood know the do’s and don’ts when in a public space.
How to enjoy the benefits of Eastwood’s pet-loving community? First, get a pet pass. Register your pet at the Eastwood concierge or with the roving guards upon arriving at Eastwood City. This is a sort of ID for your pet, which identifies the owner, the breed, and date of your visit.
Second, don’t forget your pet essentials kit, which include a plastic bag for your pet’s litter and a cloth to cover seats in case your pet dines with you in a restaurant. Yes, you are expected to carry your pet when going up an escalator — or at least train them to not get panicky when they are on it.
Third, your pet is expected to be well-behaved. Put your pet on a leash if he’s not fully trained to avoid accidents with other customers or other pets, and should any untoward incident occur while you are walking your pet in Eastwood, the owner is expected to shoulder all medical expenses related to the accident.
Eastwood City guards and butlers will be issuing the violation tickets — P1,000 on first offense, P2,000 on second offense, and refusal of pet entry on the third offense.
“It’s better than walking your pet in your village, which can get boring,” says Kevin. “Here, you can shop while your pet gets his exercise.”
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Eastwood City is holding its annual pet blessing tomorrow, Oct. 3, Sunday. Look for the Gold or Silver Paw to determine the access your pet can have in an establishment. For inquiries call 687-1499, 709-9888, 0917-8380111. Log on to www.eastwoodcity.com.
