Traveling with one’s furry friends could cause stress for both the owner and the pet, especially in a tropical country like the Philippines.
Benilde Industrial Design graduate Enrico Miguel Velasquez with his cat Pepper
To offer a versatile and ergonomic solution for the transport of our feline companions, 22-year-old Filipino design visionary Enrico Miguel Velasquez created a smart pet carrier with active cooling.
“Cats are extremely sensitive to heat, and during travel, they’re often placed inside carriers that trap warm air with no temperature regulation,” he noted. “Most existing carriers are built only for containment, not for comfort or safety during hot conditions.”
Designed to ensure the well-being of cats and the convenience of their fur parents on trips to the vet or out of town, Peplab Active Cooling Carrier prioritizes airflow, and is made of lightweight yet durable polypropylene.
Velasquez’s cat, Pepper, was the main inspiration for his capstone project. While they were in transit, he noticed his fur baby was panting heavily in the humid weather. All he wanted was to ease Pepper’s discomfort, but his options were limited, as they were in a moving vehicle.
“My cat was getting stressed as we were commuting from Laguna to Bulacan in unbearable heat,” he said. “That moment pushed me to design what could prevent heatstroke for pets. It’s a way to give owners more control and peace of mind during travel.”
Velasquez, who recently graduated magna cum laude from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design, conducted quantitative and qualitative research for his work that earned the Best Thesis Award.
It was judged based on the criteria of the World Design Organization, a globally recognized non-government network that celebrates the power of industrial design to improve the economic, social, cultural, and environmental quality of life.
The young trailblazer did a survey of 110 cat owners to understand their travel habits and concerns. He interviewed three veterinarians for authoritative insights.
According to his findings, 90 percent of pet owners were aware of the symptoms of heat stress. They used different methods to address these problems, such as going to a shaded area, giving water to pets, providing a cooling mat, and using a portable fan.
“Heat stress is a major problem for our cats when traveling, and it can lead to major health issues like organ failure, or even death,” Velasquez said.
His research showed that 99 percent of respondents were interested to have a pet carrier which offers better cooling and insulation.
The Benilde alumnus looked into other industries and collaborated with engineers to experiment with fan positions, airflow paths, and ventilation designs.
“One thing that stood out was how airflow is managed in computer cases. Cooling systems in tech are all about airflow efficiency and fan placement. I thought, why not apply the same logic to a pet carrier?” Velasquez said. “Once we found a set-up that worked, I designed the rest of the carrier to support that system.”
This study eventually led to the creation of the Peplab Active Cooling Carrier. Its integrated cooling module fights heat stress and is detachable for safe and easy clean-up. To improve airflow, it is equipped with a compact fan on top of the carrier and powered by regular powerbank.
Design elements of the Peplab Cooling Carrier even include a litter box.
The carrier has two parts. The bottom doubles as litter box, which is useful for overnight stays or longer trips.
There are also customized side plates which are interchangeable based on the pet’s needs. Some designs allow maximum airflow. Others block light and surroundings to minimize stress for anxious cats.
These interchangeable plates come in different colors and patterns, so owners can mix-and-match depending on their choices.
“Our pets rely on us not just for love, but also for their safety and comfort. It’s our responsibility to provide them with the best care possible,” Velasquez said. “That’s why this carrier was created. It was made with love and with the idea that traveling with our cats should be comfortable and stress-free.”
To learn more about Benilde Industrial Design, visit benilde.edu.ph/programs/undergraduate-programs/industrial-design/.
