For families planning a getaway with their pets, Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark Mactan now offers a resort experience designed to include four-legged companions in Lapu-Lapu City.

Since they are family members, we wanted to open our doors so they can enjoy the vacation right alongside their owners.

— Fresha Cajandig

Marketing Communications Manager, Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark

The resort’s pet-friendly program was highlighted anew during the second annual Run Fur Fun on May 24, 2026, when local pet owners and their dogs gathered for a one-kilometer community race. They also have their own dedicated Paw Suites and designated pet-friendly spaces that allow fur families to experience a resort getaway together.

Beyond the event, the offering reflects a shift in Cebu’s hospitality scene as more families look for ways to travel without leaving their pets behind.

A resort stay designed with pets in mind

Jpark’s pet-friendly approach begins with where guests stay. Its Paw Suite is a dedicated accommodation category for families and pet lovers, with 10 rooms located on the third floor. Each 76-square-meter, one-bedroom suite comes with a king or twin beds, living area, powder room, mini-pantry, microwave oven and pet-friendly amenities.

The idea behind the offering is rooted in a changing view of what constitutes a family getaway.

“Since they are family members, we wanted to open our doors so they can enjoy the vacation right alongside their owners,” said Fresha Cajandig, Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark’s Marketing Communications Manager.

The setup distinguishes the offering from simply allowing pets inside an ordinary hotel room. Jpark has established a dedicated accommodation option and a set of guidelines around how pets and their owners can use the resort.

A maximum of two small- to medium-sized cats or dogs weighing up to 40 pounds each is allowed in a room, while one pet weighing up to 85 pounds may also be accommodated. Pets are permitted only in areas identified on Jpark’s Petropolis Guide Map and must remain leashed or inside a carrier when outside the room. These boundaries are part of what makes the concept relevant beyond individual pet owners.

The resort also places responsibility on pet owners. Pets cannot be left unattended inside the room, vaccination records are required upon booking or check-in, and owners are expected to bring essentials such as food and water, bowls, waste bags, a leash, first-aid supplies and a carrier when needed.

In this sense, Jpark’s pet-friendly offering is not simply about allowing animals through the door. It introduces a more structured way for Cebuano families to experience a resort stay while keeping pet care, sanitation and the comfort of other guests in the equation.

Making spaces for Cebu’s fur families

The need for this kind of accommodation also reflects a broader change in how Cebuanos view leisure and family time. For many pet owners, a weekend away can involve an additional decision: whether the family pet will come along or stay behind. Jpark’s approach responds to that reality by making pets part of the planning rather than an afterthought.

Run Fur Fun provides a glimpse of how that idea can extend beyond accommodation. On May 24, participating dogs were grouped according to size and weight, while water stations were placed along the one-kilometer course. This also gave local pet owners a space for wellness and shared experiences.

That recurring community component matters because Cebu’s pet-friendly spaces have traditionally been associated with shorter visits to malls, parks and other public areas. A resort setting creates another possibility — a place where pet owners can spend more time with their companions and meet other members of the local pet community.

For pet-owning families, the question is no longer simply where they can vacation. It is increasingly about finding places where the whole household can go.

As Cebu’s tourism and hospitality landscape continues to evolve, Jpark’s pet-friendly offerings show how a resort can make space, where the family vacation can include the members who used to be left at home before.