QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 8485)
To protect and promote the welfare of all animals in the Philippines by supervising and regulating establishments and operations used for breeding, maintaining, keeping, treating, or training animals, whether for trade or as household pets; for purposes of the Act, pet animals include birds.
Any person/association/partnership/corporation/cooperative or government agency (including slaughterhouses) cannot establish, maintain, or operate a pet shop, kennel, veterinary clinic/hospital, stockyard, corral, stud farm/stock farm, or zoo for breeding, treatment, sale/trading, or training of animals without first securing a BAI certificate of registration.
It is valid for one (1) year unless earlier cancelled for just cause before expiration, and it may be renewed from year to year upon compliance with the conditions.
It is a continuing requirement for the operation of covered establishments; failure to observe it (or other just causes) allows the Bureau to revoke or cancel the certificate.
The Bureau may revoke or cancel the certificate for failure to observe the continuing conditions (adequate, clean, sanitary; no pain/suffering) and for other just causes.
To supervise and regulate the establishment, operation, and maintenance of covered animal facilities and to regulate transport of animals to provide maximum comfort, minimize sickness/death, and prevent cruelty.
Yes. The Director may call upon any government agency for assistance consistent with its powers and duties; it is the duty of such agency to assist when called upon, using available funds in its budget.
They must provide adequate, clean, and sanitary facilities for safe conveyance and delivery; provide sufficient food and water while in transit for more than 12 hours or whenever necessary.
No. No public utility shall transport such animals without a written permit from the Director of the BAI or an authorized representative.
Overcrowding and placing animals in the trunks or under the hood trunks of the vehicles.
Yes. Any form of cruelty is penalized even if the transporter has obtained a permit.
A Committee on Animal Welfare attached to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Subject to the approval of the DA Secretary, it shall issue necessary rules and regulations for strict implementation, including safety and sanitary standards, within 30 calendar days following approval; guidelines must be reviewed every 3 years or whenever necessary.
The Committee shall be chaired by a representative coming from the private sector, with two vice chairpersons: one from BAI and another from the private sector.
Torturing any animal; neglecting to provide adequate care, sustenance or shelter; maltreating any animal; subjecting any dog or horse to dogfights or horse fights; killing or causing/procuring animals to be tortured or deprived of adequate care, sustenance, or shelter; maltreating or using animals in research/experiments not expressly authorized by the Committee.
Killing of any animal other than cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits, carabaos, horses, deer, and crocodiles is declared unlawful except in enumerated instances (e.g., religious/tribal rituals with records; incurable communicable disease certified by a licensed veterinarian; ending misery certified by a licensed veterinarian; preventing imminent danger to human life/limb; animal population control; authorized research/experiments; or analogous grounds certified by a licensed veterinarian).
In all cases, including those of the listed species, killing must be done through humane procedures at all times, using the most scientific methods available as determined and approved by the Committee; only Committee-approved procedures may be used.
Every person has a duty to protect natural habitat of wildlife; destruction of habitat is considered a form of cruelty to animals and its preservation protects animals.
Upon final judgment, imprisonment of not less than 6 months nor more than 2 years or a fine of not less than ₱1,000 nor more than ₱5,000 or both, at the court’s discretion. If committed by a juridical person, the officer responsible serves the imprisonment when imposed. If committed by an alien, he/she is immediately deported after service of sentence without further proceedings.
Fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.