Pet care firm opens nationwide product challenge for veterinary students

Veterinary students and recent graduates across the country, including those in Davao City, can now register for a national contest that asks them to design new care products for dogs and cats, according to Mindanao Times.

The Dr. Shiba Pet Care Innovation Challenge, organised by pet care company Dr. Shiba, carries ₱100,000 in total cash prizes. First place will receive ₱60,000, second place ₱30,000 and third place ₱10,000.

Eligible entrants are students currently enrolled at any year level in an accredited veterinary school in the Philippines, as well as those who finished their veterinary studies within the past two years. Participants may join alone or in teams of up to three members from the same school.

Each entry must take the form of a concept paper that identifies a pet care need and proposes a product to address it. The paper must explain the product's scientific basis, safety and feasibility, and its practical use in the Philippine market. Possible areas include supplements and treats, functional food, preventive care and first aid, grooming and hygiene, skin and coat care, and pet comfort. Entries must be original and must not have been published or submitted to another competition.

A judging panel will score entries on relevance, scientific soundness, innovation, feasibility and presentation. Finalists will be notified on November 27 and will present online on December 10, with winners named on December 12.

Teams must register first and will then receive a submission link by email. Both registration and concept-paper submission close at 11:59 p.m. Philippine time on November 20, 2026.

"We want to give them the time, feedback, and support to develop those ideas properly," said Philipp Renner, founder and CEO of Dr. Shiba.

Registration is at tinyurl.com/DrShibaVetCompetition. Inquiries and requests for the full guidelines may be sent to den@dr-shiba.com.