Ruble of the Philipines 3
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES | «
RC Att
Quesow City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. goon

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE REVISED
ANIMAL WELFARE ACT OF THE PHILIPPINES

This proposal seeks to establish a better Animal Welfare Act. With news and posts
on social media regarding animal cruelty, there is an apparent need to put more
weight on the law by imposing harsher penalties on erring individuals. It seeks to
establish a Bureau that would safeguard the rights of animals and assure their
welfare.

People's relationship with animals date back to ancient times. Animals have been a
source of companionship, entertainment, hard labor, and even food. The way that
animals are suffering also vary, from entertainment and fashion to food, medicine
and scientific advancement.

The increased consciousness of Filipinos on animal welfare should match our law's
ability to address growing related issues and concerns. Accordingly, we seek to
strengthen standards and policies and response to violations of the law. Our
government should be able to recognize the importance of good animal welfare,
animal-friendly practices and better treatment of animals.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

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LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Rewble of he Philipines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
wesen City
Queso Cit

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 8081

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

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:

SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the “Revised Animal Welfare
Act of 2020”.

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; (3) Freedom from
pain, injury or 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, cooperative or any government
agency or instrumentality, that:

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 those
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, slaughter houses, 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 concem for caring for animals and its welfare.

Sec. 5. Principles of Animal Welfare. —

a. Decisions regarding animal care, use, and welfare shall be made by balancing
scientific knowledge and professional judgment, and in consideration of ethical and
societal values;

b. Protection of animal habitat is an animal welfare consideration;

c. Animals must be provided humane care and treatment, and an animal habitat
appropriate to their species-typical biology and behavior;

d. Animals should be cared for 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. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean:

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.


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
humane ending of life 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- Any 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. The Bureau
may define such other terms as may be used in the implementation of this Act.

CHAPTER |
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. It 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. Functions of the Bureau. - As a line bureau, it shall have the following
functions:

a. Formulate 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;


d. Establish an emergency animal response and rescue system to appropriately
respond in cases of calamities such as but not limited to floods, earthquakes, and
other natural disasters;

e. Promulgate guidelines for humane slaughter of animals, in consultation with the
National Meat Inspection Service, local government units and other concerned
government agencies;

f. Implement a system for inspection of animal facilities to ensure compliance with
animal welfare standards and regulations;

g. Monitor compliance of the local government units with animal welfare programs,
standards, rules and regulations;

hh. Ensure proper coordination with non-government organizations, people's
organizations and academe for the strict implementation of the rules and regulations
issued;

i, Formulate guidelines and qualifications related to research and testing on animals;
j. To issue, suspend, cancel permits or certifications pursuant to the purposes of this
Act;

k. To 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;

|. 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;

m. 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; and

n. Perform such other duties and responsibilities which are necessarily to achieve
the purposes of this Act.

Sec. 9. Composition of the Animal Welfare Bureau. -As a line bureau, the Bureau
shall be headed by a Director and assisted by two (2) Assistant Directors who shall
supervise the administrative and technical services of the Bureau.

The Director must possess adequate knowledge, training and experience in the field
of agriculture, biology, animal husbandry, veterinary science, veterinary medicine or
other similar discipline.

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 enforcing 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, housing, 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 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;

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 cause or procure 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;

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 19;

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;
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. Use of Animals for Show, Media, TV, Movies or Entertainment. -
Promoters/organizers of animals 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. 18. 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. 19. 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 to owners/operators subject to rules and regulations prescribed by the
Bureau. Facilities operating without necessary permit or certification will be
penalized.

Sec. 20. 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, maybe rescued, in coordination with the concemed local
government units and the Bureau's municipal, provincial or regional office. Animals
seized or rescued shall be referred to the local government pound or shelter.
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. 21. 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. 22. 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.


Sec. 23. 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.

Sec. 24. 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, 25, 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. 26. 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 fine of minimum fine of Thirty Thousand Pesos (P30,000.00).

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 (P100,000.00).

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 (P30,000.00).

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 (P250,000.00) 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;

ili, 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 from 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 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. 27 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. 28. 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. 29. 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 various information awareness activities and
programs.

Sec. 30. Appropriation. - The sum necessary to effectively carry out the provisions of
this Act shall be sourced from the budget of the Department of Agriculture. The
subsequent funding shall be included in the annual General Appropriation Act.

Sec, 31. 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. 32.Repealing Clause. -Alll laws, decrees, rules and regulations inconsistent with
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Approved,