Free Ash Testing Offered After Pet Crematorium Scandal in Bulacan

(SPOT.ph) If you've recently had a pet cremated but are now having second thoughts about the ashes you received following the scandal in Bulacan, there's now a way to get some answers. A veterinarian is offering to help pet owners get some peace of mind, free of charge.

Veterinarian Dr. Glenn Albert Almera—or Doc Gab on social media—has announced that his team found a partner that can help determine whether cremated remains actually came from an animal. His team will shoulder the testing costs, with samples to be collected from different pet cremation and aquamation providers.

The initiative follows the discovery of 29 dead pets dumped in Bulacan, including animals whose owners had already paid for cremation services from AhJay Paws Aftercare. There are also allegations that the crematorium has other branches or partner facilities, raising concerns about whether more pet owners could be affected.

"May nahanap na po tayong partner na pedeng magtest ng ashes para malaman atleast kung animal remains ito," Doc Gab said in a Facebook post. The veterinarian is also known for Pet Partner Philippines, which organizes low-cost spay-and-neuter programs across Luzon.

Also read: 29 Dead Pets Dumped in Vacant Lot Spark Suspicions Against Cremation Provider

Pet owners who want to have their pets' ashes tested can sign up through this online form. Those who have already filed a complaint with the Philippine National Police (PNP) don't need to register separately, as the PNP will also conduct testing for free.

Doc Gab said his team will choose samples from different pet cremation and aquamation providers, including those from various branches and cremation dates. Although the testing is free, not everyone who registers will be selected.

There are also limits to what the tests can tell you. Doc Gab explained that getting DNA from cremated ashes is nearly impossible, so the tests won't be able to confirm whether the remains actually belong to your pet. Additionally, it won’t tell you if your pet was cremated separately or alongside other animals, but they may be able to detect if something else was mixed into the ashes to make it seem like there was more.

As for the results, Doc Gab said it could take some time. His team will also have experts review the findings before making them public to make sure they're fair to the involved providers.

"Hindi po ito ang sasagot sa lahat ng katanungan ninyo pero makatutulong itong malaman kung may ibang gumagawa ng mali at pagwawalang respeto sa labi ng ating mga alaga," Doc Gab said.

The team is still looking for laboratories and professional chemists who can help with the testing.

The initiative comes after 29 dead pets were found dumped in a vacant lot in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, in late October.

Several animals were found in plastic bags labeled with their names and weights. Some owners later recognized their pets among the remains, even though they had already paid for cremation services. The discovery has been linked to AhJay Paws Aftercare & Pet Crematorium, a pet aftercare provider based in Bacoor, Cavite, which has since been shut down on orders of Bacoor City Mayor Strike Revilla.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has launched an investigation into possible fraud, while the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has called for a nationwide review of pet cremation services.

Also read: 10 Pet Cremation and Memorial Services in the Philippines