EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1918
FILED
DATE
TH.1E
NDbX
Introduced by SENATOR LEILA M. DE LIMA
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE REVISED ANIMAL WELFARE ACT OF THE
PHILIPPINES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Animals have long been humanity’s partner in subjugating the world and 
pushing our civilization forward. Animals have been a constant source of 
companionship, entertainment, hard labor, and even food. Many animals are likewise 
being sacrificed in the altar of science.
As we mature as a species, we have since grown to understand that our 
relationship with the animals need not be attended by cruelty and unnecessary 
hardship. In fact, studies have shown that there is a link between cruelty to animals 
and towards humans.1 Thus, there is basis for legislation that stems the cruelty, 
negligence, and maltreatment of animals.
In August 2020, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) filed criminal 
charges against veterinarians of Manila City Pound for animal cruelty. It was reported 
that there was an estimate of 6o cats crammed in two by three feet cages and that dogs 
and cats that are caught are starved and dehydrated to death. There were also social 
media reports stating that some animals were not euthanized but were left to die from 
illness or neglect instead.2 On 2 October, an abuse was caught in the CCTV in one
1 Animal Legal Defense Fund. The Link Between Cruelty to Animals and Violence Toward Humans. 
Retrieved on 8 October 2020 from: https://aldf.org/article/the-link-between-cruelty-to-animals-and- 
violence-toward-humans-2
2 Marquez, Consuelo. Inquirer. PAWS sues 5 Manila City pounds execs for alleged animal cruelty. 29 
August 2020. Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1328742/paws-sues-5-manila-city-pound- 
execs-for-alleged-animal-cruelty-2


municipality in Pampanga. The dog was beaten to death by Barangay officials. 
Unfortunately, the owners reached a settlement and the abusers were not held liable. 
The reason for the killing was that many are complaining about the dog. On 4 
September, a veterinarian in Marinduque was charged in court after conducting a 
mass shooting of dogs pursuant to an execution order issued by the local government. 
Said mass shooting was aimed to “limit the number of stray dogs roaming the streets”. 
Residents were shocked after seeing a dog covered in blood when the barangay officials 
and the alleged veterinarian said that they will only inject anti-rabies vaccine to all 
dogs in the area.3
Sadly, cruelty also stems from supposed loving and caring owners. A couple cut 
open a pregnant dog using a kitchen knife and a pair of scissors. They were breeding 
dogs without permits and not even veterinarians to begin with. The procedure was 
shared via Facebook live and garnered angry and concerned reactions from netizens. 
Since then, the video was taken down but the damage to the dog remained.^
Besides abuse, there are those animals who are not only maltreated but are 
cooked and worse, sold afterwards. The Philippine National Police-Criminal 
Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) rescued 21 dogs and recovered 18 dog 
carcasses from four suspected meat traders in Batangas. The native dogs were severely 
abused as seen by the tight rope wrapped around their mouths and the horrendous 
state of being trapped and confined with other animals in a very small cage.s On 5 
October, Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF), a non-profit and non-govemment 
organization animal welfare group, exposed a dog meat trader in Zambales. Reports 
revealed that the trader has been slaughtering two to three dogs per day, cooking them, 
and selling to his patrons afterwards. Four dogs were rescued from the operation.6
Bonifacio Global City (BGC) is home to many cats to this date. However, in 
2018, Shangri-La in BGC was on the headline after allegedly relocating the harmless
3 MSN News. 19 August 2020. Retrieved from https://www.msn.com/en-
ph/news/national/marinduque-residents-alarmed-over-dog-execution-order/ar-BB189pTm
4 ABS-CBN News. Couple who cut open pregnant dog charged with animal cruelty. 25 June 2019. 
Retrieved from https://news.abs-cbn.eom/news/06/25/19/couple-who-cut-open-pregnant-dog- 
charged-with-animal-cruelty
5 Gonzales. Cathryn. Inquirer. 21 dogs rescued, 4 meat traders busted In Batangas. 1 February 2019. 
Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1080541/21-dogs-rescued-4-meat-traders-busted-in- 
batangas
8 Animal Kingdom Foundation Facebook Post. 5 October 2020. Retrieved from 
https://www.facebook.eom/AKFanimalrescue/posts/1677136375794369


felines. Cat Welfare Organizations reported that the missing cats were not found in the 
relocation areas. The organization further discovered that the cats were dumped in 
different areas of Pasig City and Makati City. Shangri-La later admitted that they “did 
not engage with the right partners” in attempting to relocate the cats .7
In 2017, the team behind the movie “Oro” confessed that a dog was killed during 
the filming of the movie. According to Liza Dino, the chairperson of the Film 
Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), those behind “Oro” considered it 
necessary to kill and butcher a real animal as “it was within the bounds of culture in 
that area where dogs are eaten as food”. It must be noted that the production team of 
the movie initially lied saying that a goat was killed and not a dog.8 PAWS filed a 
complaint against the filmmakers of the movie but was dismissed by the Pasig City 
Court. The dismissal of their complaint was a “sad day for animal welfare”, according 
to PAWS.9 In the same year, the Island Rescue Organization (IRO) in Cebu recorded 
more or less 600 cases of animal abuses in the island with an average of 10 to 20 
reports of abuse daily. The organization said that most reports were sent through 
social media. IRO President Annalyn Aizpuru said that “animals should be free from 
discomfort, pain, injury, disease, fear and distress.”10
These are just some of the notorious animal abuses happening in the country. 
A great number are left unheard, unrecorded, and unreported; Some are poisoned at 
the disguise of giving food. Others are abandoned, thrown away, and worse, helplessly 
killed. A few are brave enough to post it in social media to spread awareness and alert 
authorities, but the State has a lot to do and many should face the consequences of 
their maltreatment and abuses towards innocent and voiceless creatures.
While there is an existing law aimed to protect animals, it is but apparent that 
there is a need to put more weight on the law by imposing harsher and stiffer penalties 
on erring individuals who subjects innocent animals to cruelty and abuse, by
7 Reysio-Cruz, Matthew. Inquirer. Adopted cats not those missing at BGC. 23 February 2018. 
Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/970762/adopted-cats-not-those-missing-at-bgc
8 ABS-CBN News. Dog was kiiled during fiiming, 'Oro' team admits. 3 January 2017. Retrieved from 
https://news.abs-cbn.eom/entertainment/01/03/17/dog-was-killed-during-filming-oro-team-admits
9 Rappler. Prosecutor dismisses PAWS” dog siaughter compiaint v. ‘Oro’. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 
from https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/prosecutor-dismisses-paws-dog-slaughter-complaint-oro- 
movie
10 The Freeman. IRO: Animal abuses alarming in Cebu City. 26 September 2017. Retrieved from 
https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2017/09/26/1743131/iro-animal-abuses-alarming- 
cebu-city


recognizing the rights of animals and by providing for a Bureau that would safeguard 
the rights of animals and assure their welfare. It is high time we give justice to those 
who cannot speak for themselves.
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this proposed measure is most 
earnestly sought.
ilLA M. D1


e? «t!
5o- E-
ul DATS:
lC/>
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
10:20 a.m.
SENATE
1918
S. No.
Introduced by SENATOR LEILA M. DE LIMA
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE REVISED ANIMAL WELFARE ACT OF THE
PHILIPPINES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the “Revised Animal
2 
Welfare Act of 2020”.
3 
Sec.2. Declaration of Policy. - It shall be the policy of the State to protect and
4 
promote the welfare of all animals, by establishing a system of supervision and
5 
regulation to ensure humane treatment in all aspects of the keeping, maintaining,
6 
handling, transporting, breeding, training, treating and use of animals. Good animal
7 
welfare involves adherence to the five basic freedoms of animals, namely: (1) Freedom
8 
from hunger and thirst; (2) Freedom from discomfort; (3) Freedom from pain, injury
9 
or disease; (4) Freedom to express normal behavior; and (5) Freedom from fear and
10 
distress.
11 
Sec. 3. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all programs, activities, and
12 
undertakings of any person, association, partnership, corporation, cooperative or any
13 
government agency or instrumentality, that:
14 
a. handle, breed, train, keep, care for, transport, exhibit, display, use, and in any
15 
other manner interact with any animals, whether as pets, livestock, wildlife, or
16 
those for education, entertainment, or show; or
17 
b. own, operate, or maintain any facility that interacts with animals.
18 
Sec. 4. Objectives. - The objectives of this Act are:


1 
a. To protect and promote animal welfare by providing policies and standards in
2 
the establishment and operation of animal facilities and transportation;
3 
b. To establish guidelines and standards in the use, treating, breeding,
4 
maintaining, keeping, and training of all animals;
5 
c. To protect and promote animal health through the maintenance of adequate,
6 
clean and sanitary facilities used in the keeping, breeding, treating and training
7 
of animals;
8 
d. To promote responsible pet ownership through education and information
9 
dissemination;
10 
e. To regulate the operation and maintenance of animal facilities or any
11 
establishment where animals are kept for whatever reason or purpose;
12 
f. To formulate rules and regulations that will ensure the promotion of animal
13 
welfare in the establishment, maintenance and operation of any pet shop,
14 
kennel, pound, shelter, slaughter houses, veterinary clinic, veterinary hospital,
15 
stockyard, corral, stud farm, stock farm or zoo for the breeding, raising,
16 
treatment, sale or trading, or training of animals;
17 
g. To establish inter-agency, multi-sectoral and local government cooperation for
18 
the promotion and protection of animal welfare;
19 
h. To create and establish an organizational structure that will effectively
20 
implement the provisions of this Act and all laws relevant to it; and
21 
i. To promote public awareness and concern for caring for animals and its
22 
welfare.
23 
Sec. 5. Principles of Animal Welfare. -
24 
a. Decisions regarding animal care, use, and welfare shall be made by balancing
25 
scientific knowledge and professional judgment, and in consideration of ethical
26 
and societal values;
27 
b. Protection of animal habitat is an animal welfare consideration;
28 
c. Animals must be provided humane care and treatment, and an animal habitat
29 
appropriate to their species-typical biology and behavior;
30 
d. Animals should be cared for in ways that minimize fear, pain, stress, and
31 
suffering;
32 
e. Animals shall be treated with respect and dignity throughout their lives and,
33 
when necessary, provided a humane death; and


1 
f. Conservation and management of animal populations should be humane,
2 
socially responsible, and scientifically prudent;
3 
Sec. 6. Definitions. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean:
4 
a. Animal - refers to domesticated vertebrate and invertebrate species under the
5 
control or custody of man, which may be food producing, companion, labor,
6 
aquatic or laboratory, including birds.
7 
b. Animal Facility - refers to any facility, structure, or premises used for the
8 
purpose of keeping, caring, breeding, rearing, holding, gaming, training,
9 
trading, treating, or exhibiting animals, including but not limited to farms, zoos,
10 
aviaries, apiaries, kennels, race tracks, cockpits, pet shops, shelters, pounds,
11 
animal rescue centers, airport and seaport quarantine stations, animal holding
12 
facilities, stables, livestock markets, stockyards, corrals, stud farms, stock
13 
farms, slaughterhouses, aquaria, laboratories, veterinary clinics, and veterinary
14 
hospitals.
15 
c. Animal fighting venture - refers to any event, show, exhibition, program, or
16 
other activity that involves a fight conducted or to be conducted between two or
17 
more animals for purposes of sport, wagering, amusement, or entertainment.
18 
d. Animal welfare - pertains to the physical and psychological well-being of
19 
animals. It indudes, but not limited to, the avoidance of abuse, maltreatment,
20 
cruelty and exploitation of animals by humans by maintaining appropriate
21 
standards of accommodation, feeding and general care, the prevention and
22 
treatment of disease and the assurance of freedom from fear, distress,
23 
harassment and unnecessary discomfort and pain and allowing animals to
24 
express normal behavior.
25 
e. Bureau - refers to the Animal Welfare Bureau.
26 
f. Captive Animals - refers to animals that are confined for educational or
27 
recreational purposes in places such as but not limited to zoos, sanctuaries,
28 
including rescue centers, aquatic facilities and the like.
29 
g. Euthanasia - refers to the Bureau-approved process or method of
30 
administering humane ending of life to animals.
31 
h. Keeper — refers to any person who owns, possesses, or has control or custody
32 
over an animal.


1 
i. Pets - refers to domesticated animals, documented or otherwise, intended for
2 
companionship, therapy, seeing and hearing guides, recreation and value
3 
formation, and breeding such as but not limited to dogs, cats, fishes, rabbits,
4 
rodents, reptiles and birds.
5 
j. Transport Facility- Any transportation, public or private, whether air, water,
6 
land including tricycles and the like, used to transport animals to a particular
7 
destination.
8 
k. Wild animals - refers to animals of a species that are not traditionally
9 
domesticated in the Philippines, including those captured from their natural
10 
habitats.
11 
The Bureau may define such other terms as may be used in the implementation of
12 
this Act.
13 
CHAPTER I
14 
THE ANIMAL WELFARE BUREAU
15 
Sec. 7. Animal Welfare Bureau. - The Animal Welfare Bureau is hereby created
16 
as a line bureau under the Department of Agriculture. It shall establish regional,
17 
provincial and municipal offices as may be appropriate and necessary to carry out
18 
effectively and efficiently the provisions of this Act.
19 
Sec. 8. Functions of the Bureau. - As a line bureau, it shall have the following
20 
functions:
21 
a. Formulate policies, guidelines, standards, rules, and regulations for the
22 
effective implementation of this Act;
23 
b. Provide minimum standards on the appropriate food, water, and shelter for
24 
each species of pet and animals depending on the age, breed, size, and special
25 
needs thereof;
26 
c. In consultation with the Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation
27 
Franchising Regulatory Board, Civil Aeronautics Board, the Maritime Industry,
28 
other transport regulating body or agencies, experts, and animal welfare
29 
groups, set a species-specific standard for transportation of animals, including
30 
definitions for cruel confinement and restraint during transport, appropriate
31 
designs for transport cages and facilities, restraint types, provision of food and
32 
water, ventilation, and protection from extreme weather conditions;


1 
d. Establish an emergency animal response and rescue system to appropriately
2 
respond in cases of calamities such as but not limited to floods, earthquakes,
3 
and other natural disasters;
4 
e. Promulgate guidelines for humane slaughter of animals, in consultation with
5 
the National Meat Inspection Service, local government units and other
6 
concerned government agencies;
7 
f. Implement a system for inspection of animal facilities to ensure compliance
8 
with animal welfare standards and regulations;
9 
g. Monitor compliance of the local government units with animal welfare
10 
programs, standards, rules and regulations;
11 
h. Ensure proper coordination with non-govemment organizations, people’s
12 
organizations and academe for the strict implementation of the rules and
13 
regulations issued;
14 
i. Formulate guidelines and qualifications related to research and testing on
15 
animals;
16 
j. To issue, suspend, cancel permits or certifications pursuant to the purposes of
17 
this Act;
18 
k. To levy and collect fees for registration, certification, inspection and monitoring
19 
system and other fees as the Bureau may deem necessary for the effective
20 
implementation of this Act;
21 
1. Keep records and documents pertaining to animal welfare in the country as well
22 
as the maintenance of surveillance and management information system on
23 
animal welfare;
24 
m. Create a system and guidelines for the determination or approval of
25 
applications of certifications, authorizations, and permits necessary for the
26 
establishment, maintenance, and operation of animal facilities, as well as to
27 
issue said certifications, authorizations, and permits and to collect associated
28 
fees; and
29 
n. Perform such other duties and responsibilities which are necessarily to achieve
30 
the purposes of this Act.
31 
Sec. 9. Composition of the Animal Welfare Bureau. - As a line bureau, the Bureau
32 
shall be headed by a Director and assisted by two (2) Assistant Directors who shall
33 
supervise the administrative and technical services of the Bureau.


1 
The Director must possess adequate knowledge, training and experience in the
2 
field of agriculture, biology, animal husbandry, veterinary science, veterinary
3 
medicine or other similar discipline.
4 
CHAPTER II
5 
ANIMAL WELFARE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
6 
Sec. 10. Deputization of Animal Welfare Enforcement Officers. - The Secretary
7 
of Agriculture shall deputize animal welfare enforcement officers from non-
8 
government organizations, citizens’ groups, community organizations and other
9 
volunteers who have undergone necessary training for this purpose.
10 
The Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines
11 
(AFP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and other law enforcement agencies
12 
shall designate animal welfare enforcement officers who shall assist in the
13 
implementation of this Act. In the absence of such enforcement officers, the said law
14 
enforcement officers shall continue to implement the law under their general mandate.
15 
The animal welfare enforcement officers shall have the full authority to seize
16 
and rescue illegally traded and maltreated animals and to arrest violators of this Act
17 
subject to existing laws, rules and regulations on arrest and detention. Regardless of
18 
the absence of a designated animal welfare enforcement officers in the law
19 
enforcement, the same shall not preclude them from enforcing of the provisions of this
20 
Act.
21 
The Bureau shall set guidelines in the training, qualification, reporting, and
22 
coordination of deputized animal welfare enforcement officers to cover the following:
23 
1. guidelines on the criteria and training requirements for the deputation of
24 
animal welfare enforcement officers; and
25 
2. mechanism for the supervision, monitoring and reporting of these
26 
enforcement officers.
27 
CHAPTER III
28 
BASIC ANIMAL CARE AND HANDLING
29 
Sec. 11. Minimum Standards for handling, care, treatment, transportation,
30 
and opportunity to express natural behaviors of animals. - The Bureau shall
31 
promulgate standards to govern humane handling, care, treatment and transportation
32 
and opportunity to express natural behaviors of animals. The standards shall include


1 
minimum requirements for handling, housing, feeding, watering, sanitation,
2 
ventilation, adequate veterinary care and separation by species, as well as
3 
transportation of animals in commerce and for research and the handling, care and
4 
treatment in connection therewith.
5 
The Bureau, in consultation with experts and key government agencies, shall
6 
promulgate other rules and regulations as it may deem necessary to assure humane
7 
treatment of animals.
8 
CHAPTER IV
9 
PROHIBITED ACTS
10 
Sec. 12. Prohibition on Cruelty, Maltreatment, Abuse and Exploitation of
11 
Animals. - It shall be unlawful to torture, abuse, exploit any animal, to neglect to
12 
provide adequate care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat any animals, cause or
13 
procure to be tortured, or deprive such animals of adequate care sustenance or shelter,
14 
or maltreat or use the same in research or experiments not expressly authorized by the
15 
Bureau.
16 
An act of cruelty includes but is not limited to the following:
17 
a. beating, harming, injuring, crushing, mutilating, maiming, disfiguring,
18 
stabbing, cutting, poisoning, drowning, torturing, tormenting, starving,
19 
overworking, or abusing an animal, or any other act or omission toward an
20 
animal, including any act of neglect, causing the animal pain, suffering, or
21 
distress, whether physical or psychological;
22 
b. exposing an animal to inhumane and unsafe conditions and situations
23 
including overcrowded, inappropriate, unclean, or unsanitary animal
24 
facilities, shelters, or transport facilities;
25 
c. killing an animal by inhumane methods such as electrocution or gas
26 
chamber;
27 
d. using an animal in research or experiments not expressly authorized by the
28 
Bureau; and
29 
e. Overworking an animal.
30 
Sec. 13. Prohibition on Neglect - It shall be unlawful for any keeper of an animal
31 
to fail to provide such animal with basic care in accordance with the Bureau’s
32 
minimum standards for unjustifiable reasons.


1 
Sec. 14. Prohibition on Killing of Animals. - It shall be unlawful for any person
2 
to kill animals other than cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits, carabaos, horses
3 
and other animals identified by the Bureau. The killing of pets and animals not
4 
customarily consumed as food, or cause or procure the same to be killed is prohibited,
5 
except in the following instances:
6 
a. When it is done as part of the religious rituals of an established religion or
7 
sect or a ritual required by a tribal or ethnic custom of indigenous cultural
8 
communities;
9 
b. When pet animal is afflicted with an incurable communicable disease as
10 
determined, deemed necessary, and certified by a duly licensed
11 
veterinarian;
12 
c. When it is done to prevent imminent danger to the life or limb of humans;
13 
d. When done for the purpose of animal population control, duly certified by
14 
the Provincial/City Veterinary Officer;
15 
e. Euthanasia of an animal by a duly licensed veterinarian after the animal
16 
has been used in an authorized research or experiment in accordance with
17 
Section 19;
18 
f. Humane slaughter of a farm animal; or
19 
g. Any other ground analogous to the foregoing as determined and certified
20 
by a duly licensed veterinarian.
21 
In all the above-mentioned cases, the killing shall at all times be done only
22 
through humane procedures approved by the Bureau. For this purpose, humane
23 
procedures shall mean the use of the most scientific methods available as may be
24 
determined by the Bureau.
25 
Sec. 15. Prohibition on ear cropping, tail docking, de-vocalization, declawing
26 
and other similar mutilation.- The conduct of ear cropping, tail docking,
27 
devocalization, de-clawing, or any other similar mutilation is prohibited, except in
28 
cases as may be required for the well-being of the animal as determined by a duly
29 
licensed veterinarian. When allowed, the same may only be performed by a duly
30 
licensed veterinarian.
31 
Sec. 16. Prohibition on Animal Fights. - It is prohibited to subject animals to
32 
fights such as but not limited to dog fighting, carabao or bull fighting or horse fighting
33 
and the like, not authorized or regulated by law. Any person who participates under
8


1 
circumstances as described herein shall be considered accessories in the commission
2 
of animal fighting and/or abetting in the commission of animal cruelty. It shall
3 
include, but shall not be limited to pitting one animal with another for the purpose of
4 
human entertainment, wagering, or sport. In certain instances, one of the animals
5 
involved may be a “bait animal” used for the ostensible purpose of sport or training.
6 
The prohibition on animal fights shall include but not limited to the following:
7 
1. Cause, procure, permit, encourage, promote, organize, sponsor, or incite a
8 
fight in which an animal is pitted against another animal for any purposes
9 
such as dog fighting and horse fighting and the like;
10 
2. Advertise, promote, sell tickets or otherwise assist in an animal fighting
11 
venture;
12 
3. Attend such a fight;
13 
4. Breed or train any animal for the purpose of having it fight, engage, or
14 
otherwise participate in an animal fighting venture;
15 
5. Permit an animal fighting venture to take place on any site, structure,
i
16 
facility or other premises under the person’s ownership or control; or
17 
6. Attend, wager on, or otherwise patronize an animal fighting venture.
18 
Animal fighting ventures held during festivities, festivals, fiestas and the like
19 
are not exempt from this Section and are strictly prohibited.
20 
Sec. 17. Use of Animals for Show, Media, TV, Movies or Entertainment. -
21 
Promoters/organizers of animals show, media or entertainment shall obtain necessary
22 
permits from the Bureau when using animals. The presence of a licensed veterinarian
23 
during the entire show, taping, shooting or program shall be required. The Bureau
24 
shall lay down requirements for this purpose. All other provisions regarding proper
25 
care and treatment of animals in general shall be applicable to these animals used for
26 
show or entertainment especially with respect to transport, holding area, allowance
27 
for rest and provision of food and water.
28 
It shall be unlawful for producers and promoters of shows where animals are
29 
used to import, procure or use animals from sources without animal welfare
30 
standards/laws and/or has been shown to have maltreated or exposed animals to
31 
inhumane conditions prior to its importation. The animal should be given sufficient


1 
food and accommodation as well as adequate rest for the entire duration of its stay in
2 
the Philippines.
3 
Sec. i8. Use of animals for work. - Animals used as working animals including
4 
but not limited to carriage horses, farm animals and the like must comply with the
5 
minimum standards set forth herein and as may be issued by the Bureau. Working
6 
animals should not be allowed to work under circumstances where its health and safety
7 
will be at risk.
8 
Sec. 19. Visitorial/Jnspection power. - Owners and/or operators of animal
9 
facilities shall be subjected to regular, as well as random inspections by the Director
10 
or its authorized officers and employees to ensure compliance with the standards set
11 
forth by this Act. Fines, suspension or revocation of permits or certificates may be
12 
imposed to owners/operators subject to rules and regulations prescribed by the
13 
Bureau.
14 
Facilities operating without necessary permit or certification will be penalized.
15 
Sec. 20. Rescue of Animals in an enclosed facility.- Animals found to have been
16 
abandoned, deprived of basic care, protection and food or subjected to inhumane or
17 
cruel situations, kept in an enclosed, locked, secured or sealed facility, whether public
18 
or private, may be rescued, in coordination with the concerned local government units
19 
and the Bureau’s municipal, provincial or regional office.
20 
Animals seized or rescued shall be referred to the local government pound or
21 
shelter. Bureau-accredited animal facilities subject to rules and regulations as may be
22 
issued. For wildlife, the same shall be referred to the Department of Environment and
23 
Natural Resources (DENR) or their nearest regional offices.
24 
Sec. 21. Custody and Disposition of Effects. - Persons or organizations
25 
authorized by the Bureau or the law enforcement agencies shall take charge of the
26 
custody of items seized including animals, pursuant to arrests made in violation of any
27 
provision of this Act, pending disposition of administrative, civil and criminal
28 
proceedings. Animals seized shall be referred to Bureau-accredited animal facilities.
29 
Wild animals shall be referred to the DENR-BMB, without prejudice to the latter’s
30 
referral or transfer of the animals to other animal facilities with better and more suited
31 
facilities.
10


1 
Animals seized and/or rescued from inhumane conditions or facilities shall be
2 
immediately relieved from such condition or situation, provided, That physical
3 
inventory, documentation and photograph shall be conducted at the place of seizure
4 
for purposes of preserving evidence.
5 
Sec. 22. Emergency Response. —The Bureau shall create and implement, in
6 
collaboration with the local government units and organizations, an interagency
7 
emergency response program for rescuing and caring for animals in times of calamity
8 
including but not limited to floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, fires, and the like.
9 
Such program shall include placing of the animals in identified temporary shelters
10 
and/or recognized rescue centers, whether public or private, until the same are
11 
claimed by their rightful owners or can be rehomed appropriately.
12 
The Bureau, through the local government units, shall likewise establish an
13 
emergency response system to rescue and/or refer animals that are victims of abuse,
14 
cruelty and maltreatment to recognized animal shelters or facilities, whether public or
15 
private.
16 
Sec. 23. Use of animals as guide or service animals. - Service animals, such as
17 
but not limited to guide/service dogs, are hereby regulated by the Bureau. Certification
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guidelines and standards for accreditation of dogs shall be established.
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Sec. 24. Use of animals in Research. - Animals used in scientific procedures,
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research, and studies shall be regulated by the Bureau, ensuring that animal welfare
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regulations and guidelines in the use, experimentation, testing and manipulations of
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animals for said purpose are complied with at all times.
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No person, partnership, corporation, cooperative, government agency or
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instrumentality undertaking or operating any research facility shall use any animal in
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research or experiments without first obtaining a written authorization from the
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Bureau upon compliance with such guidelines and qualifications set by the Bureau.
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Sec. 25. Spay and Neuter and Vaccination of Stray Cats, Dogs and other
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Animals. - Local government units, in coordination with the Bureau’s municipal,
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provincial or regional offices, shall implement a mandatory spay and neuter for stray
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dogs, cats and other animals identified by the Bureau.
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Sec. 26. Penalties. -
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a. Any person who subjects any animal to cruelty, torture, maltreatment or 
any of the prohibited acts herein shall be punished with a penalty of six 
months imprisonment and a fine of minimum fine of Thirty Thousand 
Pesos (P30,ooo).
b. Operating an animal facility including any animal transport facility, 
without the required permit shall be punished with a penalty of one year 
imprisonment and a fine of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Pioo,ooo).
c. Failure to obtain the required permits to use animals for research and 
/or scientific education experiment and the like shall be punished with a 
penalty of six months imprisonment and a fine of minimum fine of 
Thirty Thousand Pesos (P30,ooo).
d. If the violation is committed by an alien, he or she shall be immediately 
deported after the service of sentence without any further proceedings;
e. The Penalty of two years imprisonment and a fine of Two Hundred Fifty 
Thousand Pesos (P250,ooo.oo) shall be imposed if the offense involves 
any of the following circumstances:
i. committed by a syndicate involving a group of three or more 
individuals;
ii. committed by an offender who makes business out of cruelty to 
animal;
‘ iii. committed by a public officer or employee; or 
iv. where at least three animals are involved.
In any of the foregoing situations, the offender shall suffer 
subsidiary imprisonment in case of insolvency and the inability to pay 
the fine.
f. Any person who has been convicted of a violation of this Act more than 
once shall be permanently and perpetually disqualified fi:om being 
issued any permits or certificate to operate any animal facility including 
owning or possessing an animal/pet;
g. The Court in its discretion may, in lieu of service in jail, require that 
penalties imposed of less than one year imprisonment be served by the 
defendant by rendering community service under such terms and 
conditions that the court may determine depending on the gravity of the
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offense. Under this circumstance, the court shall prepare an order
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imposing the penalty of community service in lieu of the penalty,
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specifying the number of hours to be worked and the period for it to be
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completed. Community service to be rendered must be related to
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assistance to animals.
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Sec. 27. Animal Welfare Fund. - There is hereby established an Animal Welfare
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Fund to be administered by the Bureau as a special account in the National Treasury.
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It shall finance the programs of the Bureau on animal welfare as well as enforcement
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process.
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The Fund shall be derived from fines imposed and damages awarded pursuant
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to violations of this Act, fees charged for permits, registrations, and authorizations,
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donations, endowments, administrative fees or grants in the form of contributions.
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Contribution to the Fund shall be exempt from donor taxes and all other taxes, charges
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or fees imposed by the government.
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Sec. 28. Mandatory Animal Welfare Education. - It shall be mandatory for all
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primary and secondary education schools, public and private to integrate in their
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curriculum and have activities on the following:
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a) the promotion and protection ofthe welfare of animals;
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b) responsible pet ownership; and
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c) concept of animal welfare.
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Sec. 29. Communication, Education and other Public Awareness campaigns.
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— The Bureau, together with concerned government agencies, and in partnership with
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organizations, shall implement programs towards increasing awareness on animal
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rights and animal welfare through various information awareness activities and
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programs.
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Sec. 30. Appropriation. - The sum necessary to effectively cany out the
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provisions of this Act shall be sourced from the budget of the Department of
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Agriculture. The subsequent funding shall be included in the annual General
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Appropriation Act.
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Sec. 31. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
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unconstitutional or invalid, the other portions or provisions hereof, which are not
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affected, shall continue to be in full force and effect.
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Sec. 32. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, rules and regulations inconsistent
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with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
Approved,
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