World Animal Day

Today we celebrate World Animal Day. This is the time to appreciate our relationship with the animals that share our planet and the ways in which they enrich our lives. This blog is no stranger to animals. You can check out my posts with animal themes in my Kahayupan categories in the side link. One of the more popular animal characters here is Charlie – the smiling monkey. So I will bring him back in this post together with some other animals previously featured in this blog. I will also introduce you to some of my pets at home.

Who would ever forget Charlie?

This is DILBERT - My Hyper-Active Toy Dog

The Philippine National Animal - Carabao

Cute Tarsiers from Bohol

All Pretty Horses from Baguio City

Pot-pot - My Parrot Fish with other Cyclids in My Aquarium

A Slick Hawk from Davao City

Coldman - Ang Lorong Alaskador Pero Pogi

On a more serious note, it is important to speak out to ensure the humane treatment of animals and to advocate for protection of the habitats that are home to wild animals. So, this is a proper time to revisit and be aware of a Philippine Law aimed to protect and promote the welfare of all animals in the Philippines – The R.A. 8485 better known as “The Animal Welfare Act of 1998”.

For better understanding of the said law, your blogger deemed it proper to present this law in a Q&A format. Hope you find this post useful and informative.

What is the Purpose of RA 8485?

The purpose of RA 8485 is to protect and promote the welfare of all animals in the Philippines by supervising and regulating the establishment and operations of all facilities utilized for breeding, maintaining, keeping, treating or training of all animals either as object of trade or as household pets.

What are the requirements before a person or business establishments can be allowed to operate animal facilities and shops?

They need to secure a certificate of registration with the Bureau of Animal Industry. Such certificate shall be issued upon proof that the facilities of such establishment for animals are adequate, clean and sanitary and will not be used for, nor cause pain and/ or suffering to the animals. This is a continuing requirement for which failure to observe these conditions may result to revocation of registration.

In cases where animals are transported, what should be observed?

No cruel confinement or restraint shall be made on animals while being transported. There should be no overcrowding, placing of animals in the trunks or under the hood trunks of the vehicles. There must be adequate, clean and sanitary facilities for the safe conveyance and delivery to their consignee at the place of consignment. Sufficient food and water for such animals while in transit for more than twelve (12) hours or whenever necessary must be provided.

What constitutes unlawful acts that are penalized by this Act?

It shall be unlawful for any person to torture any animal, to neglect to provide adequate care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat any animal or to subject any dog or horse to dogfights or horsefights, kill or cause or procure to be tortured or deprived of adequate care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat or use the same in research or experiments not expressly authorized by the Committee on Animal Welfare.

Are there any exceptions on this act? On what circumstances may the killing of animals be allowed?

The killing of any animal may be allowed on the following instances:
(1) When it is done as part of the religious rituals of an established religion or sect or a ritual required by tribal or ethnic custom of indigenous cultural communities; however, leaders shall keep records in cooperation with the Committee on Animal Welfare;
(2) When the pet animal id afflicted with an incurable communicable disease as determined and certified by a duly licensed veterinarian;
(3) When the killing is deemed necessary to put an end to the misery suffered by the animal as determined and certified by a duly veterinarian;
(4) When it is done to prevent an imminent danger to the life or limb of a human being; and
(5) When done for the purpose of animal population control;
(6) When the animal is killed after it has been used in authorized research or experiments; and
(7) Any other ground analogous to the foregoing as determined and certified by a licensed veterinarian.

How about farm animals? Are they included in this act?

No. Cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits, carabaos, horses, deer and crocodiles are not included in this act. However, the killing of these farm animals shall be done through humane procedures at all times. Humane procedures shall mean the use of the most scientific methods available.

How about wildlife? What is our duty to their natural habitat?

It shall be the duty of every person to protect the natural habitat of the wildlife. The destruction of said habitat shall be considered as a form of cruelty to animals and its preservation is a way of protecting the animals.

What if I violate this law? What will happen to me?

Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction by final judgment, be punished by imprisonment of not less than six months nor more than two years or a fine or not less than One thousand pesos nor more that Five thousand pesos or both at the discretion of the Court. If the violation is committed by a juridical person, the officer responsible therefore shall serve the imprisonment when imposed. If the violation is committed by an alien, he or she shall be immediately deported after service of sentence without any further proceedings.

To all the animal-lovers and pet-owners in every corner of the world... HAPPY WORLD ANIMAL DAY TO YOU!!!