The destruction of said habitat shall be considered as a form of cruelty to animals and its preservation is a way of protecting the animalsâ. Although the Act provides that humane procedures must be used, this facilitates the possibility of the authorities using culling as a means of stray dog and cat population management rather than sustainable, higher welfare practices such as Trap-Neuter-Release and Spay/Neuter. The Individual is also in breach if they are unable to provide Rabies vaccination certificates for each animal being transported. The Order also provides details on space allowances (in m2) per animal by species and size. This level of co-operation on key issues demonstrates a productive relationship and implementation of policy in the Philippines. Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) PAWS drafted Republic Act 8485 or the Philippine Animal Welfare Bill. 41 of 2000 but has no requirement for anaesthetic. Permits are issued for periods of one to three years (section 20). In the 2013 update to the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, a new section was added to the Act mandating the designation of animal welfare enforcement officers in the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies (Section 10). Administrative Order No. It is prohibited to inflict injury that cripples and/or impairs the reproductive systems of wild animals, or otherwise to maltreat or inflict injuries to wild animals. Under Section 8 of the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (2001), it is illegal to collect, hunt or possess wildlife species unless a person or entity can prove financial and technical capability for maintenance, provided that the animal was not captured in violation of the Act. Section 6 of the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 prohibits the torture, neglect or maltreatment of any animals and prohibits the killing of any animals other than a specified list of animals, which includes deer and crocodiles. 55 of 1991). The modern, industrialized way in which we produce meat, eggs and other animal products has turned animals into units of production, subject to inhumane treatment, terrible living conditions and cruel deaths. There is a long history of stray animal issues in the Philippines and there are challenges regarding prioritisation of a sustainable, welfare focussed approach to management of stray dog and cat populations across the islands. 8 of 1999, there are further Administrative Orders governing the use of animals in some forms of entertainment. Furthermore, jurisdiction for animal protection is divided with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources protecting all terrestrial animal species, all turtles and tortoises, all wetland species (i.e. Legislation for animals used for entertainment or draught purposes is limited. Fur farming is inherently cruel and causes pain, distress and suffering to animals. In the Philippines, there are active animal protection organisations working to address animal welfare issues concerning companion animals and they are represented on the Committee on Animal Welfare. It goes further to describe that âconsideration must be given to how the animal is handled immediately prior to and during the procedureâ. Similarly, the Act also allows wildlife and exotic species to be kept as pets. There is significant animal suffering involved in cockfighting and keeping marine mammals in captive conditions. Recommend to the BAI Director the suspension/cancellation of the registration/license of erring animal facilities. Administrative Order No. It runs an animal shelter that currently houses 45 dogs and 186 cats rescued from cruelty or neglect. The order also states that there must be a minimum of two veterinarians at each show and that the show area and paraphernalia must not cause distress, injury or physical discomfort to the dogs. Subsistence hunting operations must employ the least cruel methods of hunting and slaughter, and that all possible efforts should be made to reduce the time of death of animals killed in these hunts. ⢠The Government of the Philippines is encouraged to include representatives from animal welfare organisations on the Wildlife Management Committees. Administrative Order No. The Order includes provisions on prohibited acts during travel, as well as protections during hot and cold weather. Couple who cut open pregnant dog charged with animal cruelty. The same Administrative Order covering companion animals such as cats and dogs also covers wild animals kept as pets.However, wild animals kept in private homes can never thrive. Efforts should be made to release animals into their natural habitat. ⢠The Government of the Philippines is encouraged to include representatives from animal welfare organisations on the national and regional Wildlife Management Committees. The Director of the Bureau for Animal Industry is identified as the representative responsible for authorisation, regulation and supervision of animal protection issues related to facilities and transport in sections 2 and 3. Similarly, there is a lack of legislation banning inherently cruel and unnecessary practices such as fur farming, long-distance transport of live animals and testing on animals for cosmetics, including on wild caught animals. Vision PAWS is a credible nationwide non-profit organization, composed of a network of committed, compassionate and trustworthy individuals and institutions that initiates and leads in the promotion of animal welfare, and the protection of all … The existing legislation provides some good foundations for the protection of the welfare of wild animals. This goal examines government commitment to animal protection. ⢠The Government is strongly encouraged to develop a Positive List of species, specifying which animals can be kept as companion animals, based on clear criteria including animal welfare and other relevant concerns. Section 7 also stipulates that indigenous people may collect wildlife for traditional purposes but not primarily for trade. Order No. Under Order No. The order dictates appropriate methods of slaughter in these circumstances and also bans some acts of cruelty such as burning while alive. Similarly, Administrative Order No.41 of 2000 also allows for confinement in individual stalls or farrowing crates but this cannot be for more than 6 weeks at any one time. 32 also include a ban on dogs being kept in vehicles (even with air-conditioning) and general anti-cruelty measures including neglect. Administrative Order No. The Administrative Order states that the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, Institute of Laboratory Research, National Research Council, USA is applicable for animals used in scientific research in the Philippines.Section 6 of Administrative Order No. Slaughter is another key focus for the OIEâs animal welfare standards and is covered in Section 6 of the Act. An Act to promote animal welfare in the Philippines, otherwise known as “The Animal Welfare Act of 1998”. The does not appear to be any restriction in the law as to which animals can be kept as pets. The Committee is also responsible for giving approval to scientific experiments using animals (section 6). However, the Philippines is a consumer, source and transit point for the illegal wildlife trade which is valued at an estimated US$1billion a year. While the Government has taken steps to curb the illegal wildlife trade which will have an impact on animal welfare for wild animals, animal welfare does not appear to be a main priority. This is required to be done through humane procedures at all times, where âhumane proceduresâ means the use of the most âscientific methods available as may be determined and approved by the Committeeâ. Republic of the Philippines Congress of the Philippines Metro Manila Fifteenth Congress Third Regular Session. ⢠The Government of the Philippines is encouraged to amend the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 to explicitly add the abandonment of animals as animal cruelty and to extend the Act to protect animals that are not âobjects of tradeâ or household pets. 18 of 2008 provides provisions for slaughterhouses and other similar facilities in the humane handling of animals for slaughter. zoonoses, animal welfare, animal health,food safety,veterinary,animal disease,animal,health,animal production,Bernard Vallat However, it also states that use of other, non-humane methods of slaughter are allowed if they ensure the animal dies in the shortest possible time. over eight hours) and replace it with a meat only trade. THE ANIMAL WELFARE ACT OF 1998 AS AMENDED. The OIE has worked with the Philippine Government in recent years on disease control and on rabies vaccination in stray dog populations. 21 (2003), pet animals are defined as âdomestic, domesticated and captive-bred animals intended for protection, utility, companionship, therapy, values formation and breedingâ. Under the order, small companion animals are defined as dogs, cats, birds, small reptiles and other animals that can be kept in the household. These are produced as Administrative Orders and are publicly available on the website of the Bureau of Animal Industry. 40 of 1999. Administrative Order No 8 of 1999 provides some more detailed rules on the registration of facilities including animal control facilities (such as pounds, shelters and quarantine centres), aviaries, catteries, kennels and pet shops. The Act names cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits, carabaos, horses, deer and crocodile as species that are addressed under the humane slaughter provisions. The stated purpose of the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 is to protect and promote the welfare of all terrestrial, aquatic and marine animals in the Philippines. Sections 3 and 4 of the Animal Welfare Act (1998) cover issues related to the transportation of animals. Breach of the prohibition on inflicting crippling injury under section 27(b) of the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act is punishable with imprisonment of between one month and six years and/or fines, depending on the conservation status of the animal (section 28). It is noted that the October 2013 amendments to the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 include an explanation of animal welfare as pertaining to the physical and psychological well-being of animals, and including the avoidance of abuse, maltreatment, cruelty and exploitation by humans by maintaining appropriate standards and the assurance of freedom from fear, distress, harassment, and unnecessary discomfort and pain, and allowing animals to express normal behaviour (section 1). 40 of 1999. The commercial transport of animals by a âpublic utilityâ is not allowed without a written permit from the Director of the Bureau of Animal Industry. The Animal Welfare Act of 1998 sets a foundation for protecting animal welfare and the issues associated with the suffering of animals in the Philippines. This is concerning as the Philippines is a consumer, source and transit point for the illegal wildlife trade that is valued at an estimated US$1billion a year. The Committee on Animal Welfare is responsible for the development of guidelines and standards for animal care. 10 of 2005 specifically relates to the apprehension of individuals in breach of animal welfare provisions during the transportation of cats and dogs which includes but is not limited to overcrowding, lack of food and water and cruel restraints. The Act also provides a structural framework for addressing animal welfare issues by facilitating the opportunity to involve âany Government agency for assistanceâ, recognising the potentially far reaching nature of animal welfare issues. No animal should be forced to witness other animals being slaughtered as this is inherently distressing. There is no policy or legislation related specifically to the rearing of dairy cattle and calves. Section 2 of the Animal Welfare Act (1998) requires that certificates of registration are obtained by anyone involved with the commercial use of animals (including in zoos), and such certificates will only be issued upon proof, and on condition, that the facilities will not be used for, nor will they cause, pain and suffering to the animals. Chickens are required to be provided enough space for them all to lie down at the same time (Section 4.3). Develop and maintain various breed registry databases and animal identification/traceability systems. Certificates for commercial facilities can be revoked or cancelled for failure to comply with the condition that the facilities will not be used for, nor will they cause, pain or suffering to animals (section 2). Section 8 states that it shall be the duty of every person to protect the natural habitat of wildlife, adding that destruction of natural habitat is considered as a form of cruelty to animals. The order specifies that those undertaking the slaughter of animals for food must be trained and accredited by both the Bureau of Animal Industry and the National Meat Inspection Commission. The Act aligns with CITES conservation status and proactively differentiates between animal species with different status. 21 of 1999. The cultural acceptance of these practices acts as a significant barrier to improving animal welfare in the Philippines. Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 makes provision for imprisonment (of between 6 months and 2 years) and/or monetary fines for violation of provisions of the Act. Administrative Order No. It is stated that the killing of animals âshall be done through humane procedure at all timesâ where âhumane procedures shall mean the use of the most scientific methods available as may be determined and approved by the Committeeâ.Section 6 also addresses the use of animals in research, but this legislation does not cover all the issues covered by the animal welfare standards. However, there are no guidelines for an appropriate length of rest time, weight of carriage nor temperature parameters. 9 of 2011 provides the methods of euthanasia for animals by species including those typically used for food. The Philippines also received the OIEâs âImproved Animal Welfare Programmeâ during May of 2013. This programme takes a âtrain the trainersâ approach to the welfare of animals during transport and slaughter, which is a major component of the OIEâs animal welfare standards. There are also contradictions in Philippine legislation as under Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (2001), it is illegal to collect, hunt or possess wildlife species, both flora and fauna, without a valid permit. 8 of 1999 provides some more detailed rules on the registration of facilities including circuses, carnival animal shows, racetracks and equestrian establishments. In recent years, the Philippine Government has created a new Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2028 (2015) and aligned Wildlife Law Enforcement Action Plan 2018-2028 (2018). Lead in the conduct of animal disease outbreak and other epidemiological investigations. 21 all puppies shall be properly vaccinated before sale, and all dogs and cats are to be identified through either microchipping or tattoo. 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