Law Summary
Certificate of Registration Requirement
- No entity can operate pet shops, kennels, veterinary clinics, hospitals, stockyards, corrals, stud farms, stock farms, or zoos without a certificate from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).
- Certificate issued upon proof of adequate, clean, and sanitary conditions that prevent animal pain or suffering.
- Valid for one year, renewable annually upon compliance.
- Certificates can be revoked or canceled for failure to meet standards or other just causes.
- Reasonable fees charged for issuance and renewal.
Supervision and Regulation by the Bureau of Animal Industry
- Director of BAI oversees the establishment, operation, and maintenance of animal-related facilities.
- Regulates the transport of animals ensuring their comfort and minimizing sickness, death, and cruelty.
- May call on other government agencies for assistance, which is obligatory and funded within their budgets.
Responsibilities of Transport Operators
- Operators of public land, air, or water utilities must provide clean, sanitary, and adequate facilities for safe animal transport.
- Must supply food and water for transit longer than 12 hours or as necessary.
- Transportation of animals requires a written permit from BAI.
- Cruelty during transport, including overcrowding or placing animals in trunk or under hood compartments, is prohibited and penalized.
Committee on Animal Welfare
- Created and attached to the Department of Agriculture to enforce the Act.
- Issues rules and regulations within 30 days of Act’s approval.
- Reviews guidelines every three years or as necessary.
- Composed of representatives from various government agencies and private sector organizations related to animal welfare and veterinary practice.
- Chaired by a private sector representative with two vice chairs.
- Members serve without compensation but may receive honoraria.
- Meets quarterly or as needed.
Prohibited Acts and Exceptions
- Unlawful to torture, neglect, maltreat animals, or engage them in dogfights or horse fights.
- Killing of animals generally prohibited except under specific conditions:
- Religious or cultural rituals with record-keeping.
- Animal suffering from incurable disease certified by a licensed veterinarian.
- To end animal misery certified by a licensed veterinarian.
- To prevent imminent human danger.
- Animal population control.
- Post-authorized research or experiments.
- Other analogous veterinary-certified grounds.
- Killing must be carried out humanely, using only Committee-approved scientific methods.
Protection of Natural Habitat
- Duty to protect natural wildlife habitats.
- Destruction of habitat constitutes animal cruelty.
- Habitat preservation is integral to animal protection.
Penalties for Violations
- Imprisonment from six months to two years and/or fines from P1,000 to P5,000.
- For juridical persons, responsible officers serve imprisonment.
- Alien violators to be deported after serving sentence without further proceedings.
Repeal and Effectivity
- Repeals or modifies inconsistent laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations.
- Effective 15 days after publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation.