Shopping malls are a popular place for pets and their fur parents in the Philippines, a country where – according to Statista in August 2024 – 6.6% of households own a cat And more than 11 million people have a dog.
Here are the pet policies of some malls in the country:
Please take pets into account
SM Super Malls, Araneta town, Robinsons MallsAnd Ayala Malls allow pets on their premises, provided they are fully supervised.
Wearing diapers is “strongly encouraged” at SM Supermalls, Araneta City and Ayala Malls with a lax layer pet policy. However, diapers are mandatory in Robinsons Malls and in Ayala Malls with a limited layer pet policy.
Every mall under Ayala Malls’ hybrid layer The pet policy has different rules for the use of diapers.
Pet IDs are also required at Ayala Malls, Araneta City and Robinsons Malls.
SM Super Malls
- Pets must always be on a leash, in a carrier/stroller or carried by hand. Dogs are only allowed to run loose in the Paw Park.
- Pet owners should always be able to maintain control over their pets.
- On escalators, pets must be carried by hand or placed in a carrier.
- Pets must be placed on a short leash in elevators.
Robinsons Malls
- Pets must be on a leash, carried or placed in a carrier/stroller while in the mall. When walking with pets in the mall, the leash should be kept short and should not exceed one meter in length.
- Pets must be transported when riding the escalators and on a short leash when using the elevators.
Ayala Malls
- Unless they fall under the prohibited areas, small pets are allowed in the corridors or common areas of the malls at the restricted and lax levels. Regardless, they still need to be in a stroller or carry-on bag.
- An Ayala-run shopping center in the hybrid level now has that at our discretion where pets are allowed.
Araneta town
- The size of dogs and cats is not regulated, although pet owners should be able to maintain control of them during their visits.
- Pets are allowed on all escalators. Owners are required to carry their pets at all times when riding up and down the escalator.
- Pets are allowed in all elevators. Owners are required to keep their pets on a very short leash when riding up and down the elevator to avoid accidents.
Clean them up
Fur parents are required to clean up after their pets’ fur.
Robinsons Malls
- Wipe the urine or collect the feces and place them in a sealed plastic bag before throwing them away.
SM Super Malls
- Dispose of pet waste properly in sealed bags.
Ayala Malls
- Pet owners must remove, clean up and dispose of all feces, waste and litter from their pets throughout the mall. They are required to clean up their pets’ feces or clean their urine with wet wipes. They are then expected to place the dirty, wet wipes in a disposable bag before disposing of them in pet waste bins.
Araneta town
- All owners must ensure that they remove, disinfect and dispose of any feces, waste or debris left by their animals in the mall. It is required that they wipe the urine with damp cloths. These soiled wipes should be placed in a disposable bag before being disposed of in the designated bins at the mall.
Off-limit areas
Every shopping center has areas where pets are not allowed.
SM Super Malls
- Stores and restaurants have the right to implement their own pet policies.
- Pets are not allowed in or around children’s playgrounds.
- Pets (except seeing-eye dogs) are not allowed in the chapel or mass room.
- In dining areas such as the food hall or food court, pets are not allowed to be placed on tables and chairs.
- In restrooms, pets should not be placed on diaper changers or baby seats.
Robinsons Malls
- Pets are not allowed in cinemas, chapels and other areas specified by management.
- Pet owners must observe and follow the separate pet policies of mall tenants.
- Pets should not be placed on dining tables and chairs.
Ayala Malls
- Pets are prohibited within a ten-metre radius of identified children’s play equipment and playground.
- Other prohibited areas are areas where a notice or signage is visible stating that such areas are prohibited for pets.
Araneta town
- Pets are only allowed in shops and restaurants with Pet Pals stickers at the entrance.
Update vaccination status
All four also specified the need for vaccination of pets.
SM Super Malls
- Ensure pets are properly vaccinated as required by law and health regulations.
Robinsons Malls
- Pets must be adequately vaccinated before being brought to the mall.
Ayala Malls
- Pet owners should ensure that their pets are properly licensed and vaccinated as may be required by ordinances, laws, health codes or mall guidelines. First-time pets who do not have up-to-date vaccination records as required will not be admitted.
Araneta town
- Anyone who has a furry friend should ensure that their animals are properly licensed and have the latest vaccinations as required by ordinance, law or health code. It is expected that all necessary vaccinations will be obtained to protect the animal and those around them.
Responsible pet ownership
SM Supermalls said that anyone who brings their dogs to the mall assumes all liability, responsibility and associated risks, jointly and individually, for any damage, illness or injury to persons, other dogs and/or property.
Robinsons Malls adds that pets that are “aggressive or visibly ill” will not be allowed into the mall. Mall security reserves the right to ask pet owners to remove their pets from the mall if the pet exhibits behavior that could harm customers or damage mall property.
Ayala Malls’ pet policy includes a table with a list of violations and their associated fines and penalties.
Pet Pawlicies:
SM Super Malls: CLICK HERE
Ayala Malls: CLICK HERE
Robinson’s Mall:
– Patricia B. Mirasol