1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session  
House Bill No. 1405 
Introduced by Representative Richard I. Gomez, DPA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
When it comes to animal welfare concerns, non-governmental organizations like the 
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) or the Philippine Animal Welfare Society 
(PAWS), have contributed significantly versus government agencies, such as the Bureau of 
Animal Industry. These private institutions are the popular organizations people approach when 
they need to address the critical needs of animals that are victims of cruelty or neglect. 
However, in some instances   the SPCA, the PAWS, and other similar organizations fall 
short in extending needed services due to the lack of resources or facilities that is, budgets that 
have been stretched to the limit.  Such organizations frequently run out of capacity to accommodate 
additional animals in distress due to the high demand for their services and partly also due to the 
low adoption rates of animals in their custody.  
Hence, there is an urgent need for the government to actively intervene if the private sector 
could no longer cope with the delivery of charitable services of this nature. A new framework or 
system must be instituted so that the state could ensure that animals are treated humanely and with 
respect and dignity.  
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
RICHARD I. GOMEZ, DPA
July 7, 2025
11:24 am


1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session  
House Bill No. 1405 
Introduced by Representative Richard I. Gomez, DPA 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE REVISED ANIMAL WELFARE ACT OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known and referred to as the “Revised Animal 
Welfare Act.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It shall be the policy of the State to protect and promote the 
welfare of all animals, by establishing a system of supervision and regulation to ensure humane 
treatment in all aspects of the keeping, maintaining, handling, transporting, breeding, training, 
treating and use of animals. Good animal welfare involves adherence to the five basic freedoms 
of animals, namely:  
1. Freedom from hunger and thirst;
2. Freedom from discomfort and pain;
3. Freedom from injury and disease;
4. Freedom to express normal behavior; and
5. Freedom from fear and distress.
SEC. 3. Coverage. – This Act shall apply to all programs, activities, and undertakings of 
any person, association, partnership, corporation, organization or entity or government agency or 
instrumentality, that: 


2 
 
a. 
handle, breed, train, keep, care for, transport, exhibit, display, use, and in any other manner 
interact with any animals, whether as pets, livestock, wildlife, or animals used for 
education, entertainment, or show; or 
 
b. 
own, operate, or maintain any facility that interacts with animals. 
 
SEC. 4. Objectives.–The objectives of this Act are: 
 
a. 
To protect and promote animal welfare by providing policies and standards in the 
establishment and operation of animal facilities and transportation; 
 
b. 
To establish guidelines and standards in the use, treating, breeding, maintaining, keeping, 
and 
training 
of 
all 
animals; 
 
c. 
To protect and promote animal health through the maintenance of adequate, clean and 
sanitary facilities used in the keeping, breeding, treating and training of animals; 
 
d. 
To promote responsible pet ownership through education and information dissemination; 
 
e. 
To regulate the operation and maintenance of animal facilities or any establishment where 
animals 
are 
kept 
for 
whatever 
reason 
or 
purpose; 
 
f. 
To formulate rules and regulations that will ensure the promotion of animal welfare in the 
establishment, maintenance and operation of any pet shop, kennel, pound, shelter, 
slaughterhouses, veterinary clinic, veterinary hospital, stockyard, corral, stud farm, stock 
farm or zoo for the breeding, raising, treatment, sale or trading, or training of animals; 
 
g. 
To establish inter-agency, multi-sectoral and local government cooperation for the 
promotion and protection of animal welfare; 
 
h. 
To create and establish an organizational structure that will effectively implement the 
provisions 
of 
this 
Act 
and 
all 
laws 
relevant 
to 
it; 
and 
 
i. 
To promote public awareness and concern for caring for animals and their welfare.


3 
 
SEC. 5.  Principles of Animal Welfare. – 
 
a. 
Decisions regarding animal care, use, and welfare shall be made by balancing scientific 
knowledge and professional judgment, with consideration of ethical and societal values; 
 
b. 
Animals must be provided water, food, proper handling, health care, and an environment 
appropriate to their care and use; 
 
c. 
Protection of animal habitat, which is appropriate to their species-typical biology and 
behavior, is an animal welfare consideration; 
 
d. 
Animals should be cared for and treated in ways that minimize fear, pain, stress, and suffering; 
 
e. 
Animals shall be treated with respect and dignity throughout their lives and, when necessary, 
provided a humane death; and 
 
f. 
Conservation and management of animal populations should be humane, socially responsible, 
and scientifically prudent; 
 
SEC. 6. Definitions. – As used in this Act: 
 
a. 
Animal - refers to domesticated vertebrate and invertebrate species under the control or custody 
of man, which may be food producing, companion, labor, aquatic or laboratory, including birds. 
 
b. 
Animal facility – refers to any facility, structure, or premises used for the purpose of keeping, 
caring, breeding, rearing, holding, gaming, training, trading, treating, or exhibiting animals, 
including but not limited to farms, zoos, aviaries, apiaries, kennels, race tracks, cockpits, pet 
shops, shelters, pounds, animal rescue centers, airport and seaport quarantine stations, animal 
holding facilities, stables, livestock markets, stockyards, corrals, stud farms, stock farms, 
slaughterhouses, aquaria, laboratories, veterinary clinics, and veterinary hospitals. 
 
c. 
Animal fighting venture – refers to any event, show, exhibition, program, or other activity that 
involves a fight conducted or to be conducted between two or more animals for purposes of 
sport, wagering, amusement, or entertainment.


4 
 
 
d. 
Animal welfare – pertains to the physical and psychological well-being of animals. It includes, 
but not limited to, the avoidance of abuse, maltreatment, cruelty and exploitation of animals by 
humans by maintaining appropriate standards of accommodation, feeding and general care, the 
prevention and treatment of disease and the assurance of freedom from fear, distress, 
harassment and unnecessary discomfort and pain and allowing animals to express normal 
behavior. 
 
e. 
Bureau – refers to the Animal Welfare Bureau. 
 
f. 
Captive animals - refers to animals that are confined for educational or recreational purposes 
in places such as but not limited to zoos, sanctuaries, including rescue centers, aquatic facilities 
and the like. 
 
g. 
Euthanasia – refers to the Bureau-approved process or method of administering painless death 
to animals. 
 
h. 
Keeper - refers to any person who owns, possesses, or has control or custody over an animal. 
 
i. 
Pets - refers to domesticated animals, documented or otherwise, intended for companionship, 
therapy, seeing and hearing guides, recreation and value formation, and breeding such as but 
not limited to dogs, cats, fishes, rabbits, rodents, reptiles and birds. 
 
j. 
Transport facility – refers to any means of transportation, public or private, whether air, water, 
land including tricycles and the like, used to transport animals to a particular destination. 
 
k. 
Wild animals - refers to animals of a species that are not traditionally domesticated in the 
Philippines, including those captured from their natural habitats. 


5 
CHAPTER I 
THE ANIMAL WELFARE BUREAU 
 
SEC.  7. Animal Welfare Bureau. – The Animal Welfare Bureau is hereby created as a line 
bureau under the Department of Agriculture. As a government agency, it shall be the primary 
authority on all matters relating to animal welfare. 
 
The Animal Welfare Bureau shall establish regional, provincial and municipal offices as may be 
appropriate and necessary to carry out effectively and efficiently the provisions of this Act. 
 
SEC. 8. Composition of the Animal Welfare Bureau.–The Bureau shall be headed by a 
Director who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines. He/she shall be responsible for 
the general administration and management of the Bureau. The Director shall be assisted by two (2) 
Assistant Directors who shall supervise the administrative and technical services of the Bureau. 
 
The Director as well as the Assistant Directors must possess adequate knowledge, training and 
experience in the field of agriculture, biology, animal husbandry, veterinary science, veterinary 
medicine or other similar discipline. 
 
Until the Director of the Animal Welfare Bureau shall have been appointed and qualified, the Director 
of the Bureau of Animal Industry shall serve as interim Director of the Animal Welfare Bureau. 
He/she shall, within 30 days from the effectivity of this Act, submit a recommendation as to the 
personnel and staffing pattern of the Bureau for approval of the Department of Budget and 
Management and the Civil Service Commission. 
 
SEC. 9. Functions of the Bureau. – As a line bureau, it shall have the following functions: 
 
a. 
Formulate, adopt, and issue policies, guidelines, standards, rules, and regulations for the 
effective implementation of this Act; 
 
b. 
Provide minimum standards on the appropriate food, water, and shelter for each species of pet 
and animals depending on the age, breed, size, and special needs thereof; 
 
c. 
In consultation with the Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising 
Regulatory Board, Civil Aeronautics Board, the Maritime Industry, other transport regulating 
body or agencies, experts, and animal welfare groups, set a species-specific standard for 
transportation of animals, including definitions for cruel confinement and restraint during 
transport, appropriate designs for transport cages and facilities, restraint types, provision of 
food and water, ventilation, and protection from extreme weather conditions, taking into 
consideration not only the species of the animal being transported, but its specific needs, size, 
behavior and condition; 
 


6 
d. 
Establish an emergency animal response and rescue system to appropriately respond in cases 
of calamities such as but not limited to floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruption, and other natural 
disasters; 
 
e. 
Promulgate guidelines for humane slaughter of animals, in coordination and consultation with 
the National Meat Inspection Service, local government units and other concerned government 
agencies; 
 
f. 
Implement a system for inspection of animal facilities, as well as vehicles or any transport 
system used to transport animals, including the authority to order their closure and stoppage 
of operations for any violation of this Act; 
 
g. 
Exercise administrative adjudication, confiscation, and forfeiture powers in all cases of 
violations of this Act; 
 
h. 
Impose, collect, and enforce administrative sanctions, such as the payments of fines for 
violations of this Act; 
 
i. 
Monitor compliance of the local government units with animal welfare programs, standards, 
rules and regulations; 
 
j. 
Ensure proper coordination and tie-ups with non-government organizations, people’s 
organizations and academe for the strict implementation of the rules and regulations issued; 
 
k. 
Formulate guidelines and qualifications related to research and testing on animals; 
 
l. 
Issue, suspend, cancel permits or certifications pursuant to the purposes of this Act; 
 
m. 
Levy and collect fees for registration, certification, inspection and monitoring system and other 
fees as the Bureau may deem necessary for the effective implementation of this Act; 
n. 
Keep records and documents pertaining to animal welfare in the country as well as the 
maintenance of surveillance and management information system on animal welfare; 
 
o. 
Create a system and guidelines for the determination or approval of applications of 
certifications, authorizations, and permits necessary for the establishment, maintenance, and 
operation of animal facilities, as well as to issue said certifications, authorizations, and permits 
and to collect associated fees;  
 
p. 
Call upon any government agency for assistance consistent with its powers, duties, and 
responsibilities for the purpose of ensuring the effective and efficient implementation of this 
Act, and it shall be the duty of such government agency to assist the Bureau when called upon 
for assistance using any available resources for the purpose; and  


7 
 
q. 
Perform such other duties and responsibilities which are necessary to achieve the purposes of 
this Act. 
 
CHAPTER II 
ANIMAL WELFARE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS 
 
SEC. 10. Deputization of Animal Welfare Enforcement Officers.–The Secretary of 
Agriculture shall deputize animal welfare enforcement officers from non-government organizations, 
citizens’ groups, community organizations and other volunteers who have undergone necessary 
training for this purpose. 
 
The Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the National 
Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and other law enforcement agencies shall designate animal welfare 
enforcement officers who shall assist in the implementation of this Act. In the absence of such 
enforcement officers, the said law enforcement officers shall continue to implement the law under 
their general mandate. 
 
The animal welfare enforcement officers shall have the full authority to seize and rescue illegally 
traded and maltreated animals and to arrest violators of this Act subject to existing laws, rules and 
regulations on arrest and detention. Regardless of the absence of a designated animal welfare 
enforcement officers in the law enforcement, the same shall not preclude them from the enforcement 
of the provisions of this Act. 
 
The Bureau shall set guidelines in the training, qualification, reporting, and coordination of deputized 
animal welfare enforcement officers to cover the following: 
 
1. 
guidelines on the criteria and training requirements for the deputation of animal welfare 
enforcement officers; and 
 
2. 
mechanism for the supervision, monitoring and reporting of these enforcement officers. 
 
 
CHAPTER III 
BASIC ANIMAL CARE AND HANDLING 
 
SEC. 11. Minimum Standards For Handling, Care, Treatment, Transportation, And Opportunity 
To Express Natural Behaviors Of Animals. – The Bureau shall promulgate standards to govern 
humane handling, care, treatment and transportation and opportunity to express natural behaviors of 
animals. The standards shall include minimum requirements for handling, shelter, feeding, watering, 
sanitation, ventilation, adequate veterinary care and separation by species, as well as transportation 
of animals in commerce and for research and the handling, care and treatment in connection 


8 
therewith. 
 
The Bureau, in consultation with experts and key government agencies, shall promulgate other rules 
and regulations as it may deem necessary to assure humane treatment of animals. 
 
CHAPTER IV  
PROHIBITED ACTS 
 
SEC. 12. Prohibition on Cruelty, Maltreatment, Abuse and Exploitation of Animals. – It 
shall be unlawful to torture, abuse, exploit any animal, to neglect to provide adequate care, sustenance 
or shelter, or maltreat any animals, cause or procure to be tortured, or deprive such animals of 
adequate care sustenance or shelter, or maltreat or use the same in research or experiments not 
expressly authorized by the Bureau. 
 
An act of cruelty includes but is not limited to the following: 
 
a. 
beating, harming, injuring, crushing, mutilating, maiming, disfiguring, stabbing, cutting, 
poisoning, drowning, torturing, tormenting, starving, overworking, or abusing an animal, or 
any other act or omission toward an animal, including any act of neglect, causing the animal 
pain, suffering, or distress, whether physical or psychological; 
 
b. 
exposing an animal to inhumane and unsafe conditions and situations including overcrowded, 
inappropriate, unclean, or unsanitary animal facilities, shelters, or transport facilities; 
 
c. 
killing an animal by inhumane methods such as electrocution or gas chamber or using petrol 
or diesel exhaust; 
 
d. 
using an animal in research or experiments not expressly authorized by the Bureau; and 
 
e. 
Overworking an animal. 
 
SEC. 13. Prohibition on Neglect. – It shall be unlawful for any keeper of an animal to fail to 
provide such animal with basic care in accordance with the Bureau’s minimum standards for 
unjustifiable reasons. 
 
SEC. 14. Prohibition on Killing of Animals. – It shall be unlawful for any person to kill 
animals other than cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits, carabaos, horses and other animals 
identified by the Bureau. The killing of pets and animals not customarily consumed as food, or 
causing or procuring the same to be killed is prohibited, except in the following instances: 
 
a. 
When it is done as part of the religious rituals of an established religion or sect or a ritual 
required by a tribal or ethnic custom of indigenous cultural communities; 


9 
 
b. 
When pet animal is afflicted with an incurable communicable disease as determined, deemed 
necessary, and certified by a duly licensed veterinarian; 
 
c. 
When it is done to prevent imminent danger to the life or limb of humans; 
 
d. 
When done for the purpose of animal population control, duly certified by the Provincial/City 
Veterinary Officer; 
 
e. 
Euthanasia of an animal by a duly licensed veterinarian after the animal has been used in an 
authorized research or experiment in accordance with Section 21; 
 
f. 
Humane slaughter of a farm animal; or 
 
g. 
Any other ground analogous to the foregoing as determined and certified by a duly licensed 
veterinarian.  
 
In all the above-mentioned cases, the killing shall at all times be done only through humane 
procedures approved by the Bureau. For this purpose, humane procedures shall mean the use 
of the most scientific methods available as may be determined by the Bureau. 
 
SEC. 15. Prohibition on ear cropping, tail docking, de-vocalization, declawing and other 
similar mutilation. – The conduct of ear cropping, tail docking, devocalization, de-clawing, or any 
other similar mutilation is prohibited, except in cases as may be required for the well-being of the 
animal as determined by a duly licensed veterinarian. When allowed, the same may only be 
performed by a duly licensed veterinarian. 
 
SEC. 16. Prohibition on Animal Fights. – It is prohibited to subject animals to fights such 
as but not limited to dog fighting, carabao or bull fighting or horse fighting and the like, not 
authorized or regulated by law. Any person who participates under circumstances as described herein 
shall be considered accessories in the commission of animal fighting and/or abetting in the 
commission of animal cruelty. It shall include, but shall not be limited to pitting one animal with 
another for the purpose of human entertainment, wagering, or sport. In certain instances, one of the 
animals involved may be a “bait animal” used for the ostensible purpose of sport or training.  
 
The prohibition on animal fights shall include but not limited to the following: 
 
1. 
Cause, procure, permit, encourage, promote, organize, sponsor, or incite a fight in which an 
animal is pitted against another animal for any purposes such as dog fighting and horse 
fighting and the like; 
 
2. 
Advertise, promote, sell tickets or otherwise assist in an animal fighting venture; 


10 
 
3. 
Attend such a fight; 
 
4. 
Breed or train any animal for the purpose of having it fight, engage, or otherwise participate 
in an animal fighting venture; 
 
5. 
Permit an animal fighting venture to take place on any site, structure, facility or other premises 
under the person’s ownership or control; or 
 
6. 
Attend, wager on, or otherwise patronize an animal fighting venture.  
 
Animal fighting ventures held during festivities, festivals, fiestas and the like are not exempt 
from this Section and are strictly prohibited. 
 
 
SEC. 17. Prohibition Against Operating an Animal Facility Without Permit/Certification. 
– Operating any facility without the necessary permit or certification from the Bureau is hereby 
prohibited.  
 
 
CHAPTER V  
OTHER ANIMAL WELFARE PROVISIONS 
 
SEC. 18. Use of Animals for Show, Media, TV, Movies or Entertainment. – 
Promoters/organizers of animal show, media or entertainment shall obtain necessary permits from 
the Bureau when using animals. The presence of a licensed veterinarian during the entire show, 
taping, shooting or program shall be required. The Bureau shall lay down requirements for this 
purpose. All other provisions regarding proper care and treatment of animals in general shall be 
applicable to these animals used for show or entertainment especially with respect to transport, 
holding area, allowance for rest and provision of food and water. It shall be unlawful for producers 
and promoters of shows where animals are used to import, procure or use animals from sources 
without animal welfare standards/laws and/or has been shown to have maltreated or exposed animals 
to inhumane conditions prior to its importation. The animal should be given sufficient food and 
accommodation as well as adequate rest for the entire duration of its stay in the Philippines. 
 
SEC. 19. Use of Animals for Work. – Animals used as working animals including but not 
limited to carriage horses, farm animals and the like must comply with the minimum standards set 
forth herein and as may be issued by the Bureau. Working animals should not be allowed to work 
under circumstances where its health and safety will be at risk. 
 
SEC. 20. Use Of Animals As Guide Or Service Animals. – Service animals, such as but not 
limited to guide/service dogs, are hereby regulated by the Bureau. Certification guidelines and 
standards for accreditation of dogs shall be established. 


11 
 
SEC. 21. Use Of Animals In Research. – Animals used in scientific procedures, research, 
and studies shall be regulated by the Bureau, ensuring that animal welfare regulations and guidelines 
in the use, experimentation, testing and manipulations of animals for said purpose are complied with 
at all times. No person, partnership, corporation, cooperative, government agency or instrumentality 
undertaking or operating any research facility shall use any animal in research or experiments 
without first obtaining a written authorization from the Bureau upon compliance with such 
guidelines and qualifications set by the Bureau. 
 
SEC. 22. Spay and Neuter and Vaccination of Stray Cats, Dogs and other Animals. –Local 
government units, in coordination with the Bureau’s municipal, provincial or regional offices, shall 
implement a mandatory spay and neuter for stray dogs, cats and other animals identified by the 
Bureau. 
 
SEC. 23. Rescue of Animals in an enclosed facility. – Animals found to have been 
abandoned, deprived of basic care, protection and food or subjected to inhumane or cruel situations, 
kept in an enclosed, locked, secured or sealed facility, whether public or private, may be rescued, in 
coordination with the concerned local government units and the Bureau’s municipal, provincial or 
regional office. Animals seized or rescued shall be referred to the local government pound, shelter or 
Bureau-accredited animal facilities subject to rules and regulations as may be issued. For wildlife, 
the same shall be referred to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) or their 
nearest regional offices. 
 
SEC. 24. Animal Welfare Fund. – There is hereby established an Animal Welfare Fund to be 
administered by the Bureau as a special account in the National Treasury. It shall finance the programs 
of the Bureau on animal welfare as well as enforcement process. The Fund shall be derived from fines 
imposed and damages awarded pursuant to violations of this Act, fees charged for permits, 
registrations, and authorizations, donations, endowments, administrative fees or grants in the form of 
contributions. Contribution to the Fund shall be exempt from donor taxes and all other taxes, charges 
or fees imposed by the government. 
 
SEC. 25. Mandatory Animal Welfare Education. – It shall be mandatory for all primary and 
secondary education schools, public and private to integrate in their curriculum and have activities on 
the following: 
 
a. The promotion and protection of the welfare of animals; 
b. Responsible pet ownership; and 
c. Concept of animal welfare. 
 
SEC. 26. Communication, Education and other Public Awareness campaigns. – The 
Bureau, together with concerned government agencies, and in partnership with organizations, shall 
implement programs towards increasing awareness on animal rights and animal welfare through 


12 
various information awareness activities and programs. 
 
 
CHAPTER VI 
ADJUDICATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 
 
SEC. 27. Authority to Adjudicate and Impose and Collect Administrative Fines. – The 
Bureau or its representatives are authorized to exercise adjudication as well as administrative 
functions, including the power, after due process, to order confiscation and forfeiture of animals, 
paraphernalia, tools, implements and conveyances and to dispose of the same as well as the 
imposition and collection of fines and the suspension or cancellation of permits and certifications 
and the closure of facilities, in accordance with law. 
 
SEC. 28. Visitorial/Inspection power. – Owners and/or operators of animal facilities shall be 
subjected to regular, as well as random inspections by the Director or its authorized officers and 
employees to ensure compliance with the standards set forth by this Act. Fines, suspension or 
revocation of permits or certificates may be imposed upon owners/operators subject to rules and 
regulations prescribed by the Bureau. Facilities operating without necessary permit or certification 
will be penalized. 
 
SEC. 29. Custody and Disposition of Effects.– Persons or organizations authorized by the 
Bureau or the law enforcement agencies shall take charge of the custody of items seized including 
animals, pursuant to arrests made in violation of any provision of this Act, pending disposition of 
administrative, civil and criminal proceedings. Animals seized shall be referred to Bureau-accredited 
animal facilities. Wild animals shall be referred to the DENR-BMB, without prejudice to the latter’s 
referral or transfer of the animals to other animal facilities with better and more suited facilities. 
Animals seized and/or rescued from inhumane conditions or facilities shall be immediately relieved 
from such condition or situation, provided, That physical inventory, documentation and photograph 
shall be conducted at the place of seizure for purposes of preserving evidence. 
 
SEC. 30. Emergency Response. – The Bureau shall create and implement, in collaboration 
with the local government units and organizations, an interagency emergency response program for 
rescuing and caring for animals in times of calamity including but not limited to floods, earthquakes, 
volcanic eruptions, fires, and the like. Such program shall include placing of the animals in identified 
temporary shelters and/or recognized rescue centers, whether public or private, until the same are 
claimed by their rightful owners or can be rehomed appropriately. The Bureau, through the local 
government units, shall likewise establish an emergency response system to rescue and/or refer 
animals that are victims of abuse, cruelty and maltreatment to recognized animal shelters or facilities, 
whether public or private. 
 
CHAPTER VII 
PENALTIES 


13 
 
SEC. 31. Penalties.– 
 
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 minimum fine of Thirty Thousand Pesos (P30,000.00). 
 
b. 
Abandonment of an animal shall be punished by a penalty of imprisonment of 
three months and or a fine not exceeding Fifteen Thousand Pesos (P15,000.00). 
If the animal is left in circumstances likely to cause the animal unnecessary 
suffering or if the abandonment results in death or injury of the animal, the person 
liable shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of six months of imprisonment 
and/or a fine of Thirty Thousand Pesos (P30,000.00); 
 
c. 
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 Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00). 
 
d. 
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 minimum fine of Thirty Thousand Pesos (P30,000.00). 
 
e. 
If the violation is committed by an alien, he or she shall be immediately deported 
after the service of sentence without any further proceedings; 
 
f. 
The penalty of two years imprisonment and a fine of Two Hundred Fifty 
Thousand Pesos (P250,000.00) shall be imposed if the offense involves any of 
the following circumstances: 
 
1) committed by a syndicate involving a group of three or more individuals; 
2) committed by an offender who makes business out of cruelty to animal; 
3) committed by a public officer or employee; or 
4) 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. 
 
g. 
If the violation is committed by a juridical person, the offender responsible 
therefor shall serve the penalty and/or pay the fine; 
 
h. 
Any person who has been convicted of a violation of this Act more than once shall 


14 
be permanently and perpetually disqualified from being issued any permits or 
certificate to operate any animal facility including owning or possessing an 
animal/pet; 
 
i. 
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 offense. Under this circumstance, the 
court shall prepare an order imposing the penalty of community service in lieu of 
the penalty, specifying the number of hours to be worked and the period for it to 
be completed. Community service to be rendered must be related to assistance to 
animals. 
 
 
SEC. 32. Construction of the Law. – Any doubt as to the interpretation of this Act shall be 
liberally construed in favor of the promotion and protection of the welfare of animals. 
 
SEC. 33. Appropriation. – The initial amount necessary to effectively carry out the 
provisions of this Act shall be sourced from the budget of the Department of Agriculture. Thereafter, 
subsequent funding shall be included in the annual General Appropriation Act. 
 
SEC. 34. Separability Clause. – If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other portions or provisions hereof, which are not affected, shall 
continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
SEC. 35. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, rules and regulations inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
 
SEC. 36. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the completion 
of its publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,