Revised Animal Welfare Act Targets Legal Gaps
MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers have introduced important changes to the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, aiming to fill loopholes and enhance protections for animals. The revised Animal Welfare Act of 2025 clarifies the definition of animals and broadens the scope of the law to safeguard various species.
Representative Brian Poe of FPJ Panday Bayanihan filed House Bill No. 1746 in response to persistent calls from pet owners for stronger animal protection laws. “We listened to our constituents and improved upon the original bill filed in the 19th Congress, addressing all concerns and plugging any ‘loopholes,’” Poe said.
Expanded Definition of Animals and Welfare
The proposed legislation defines an animal as “sentient beings, whether domesticated or wild, vertebrate or invertebrate, terrestrial, aquatic or marine, under the control of humans or otherwise.” This includes companion animals, livestock, captive animals, service animals, and wildlife whether free-roaming or in captivity.
The bill outlines what constitutes proper care and abuse. It states, “Animal Welfare pertains to the physical and psychological well-being of animals. It includes, but is not limited to, the avoidance of abuse, maltreatment, cruelty, and exploitation of animals by humans through appropriate accommodation, feeding, general care, disease prevention and treatment, and ensuring freedom from fear, distress, harassment, unnecessary discomfort, and pain.”
Furthermore, it defines animal abandonment as leaving an animal alone or permitting abandonment in situations that could harm the animal.
New Agencies and Stricter Enforcement
If passed, the bill would establish an Animal Welfare Bureau under the Department of Agriculture. This bureau will oversee and enforce all aspects of animal welfare, regulate animal facilities and transport, and prevent cruelty, neglect, and abandonment.
The bureau may also create regional and local offices to effectively implement the law nationwide. Additionally, an Animal Welfare Advisory Council will be formed to advise on policies, standards, and welfare programs.
Representative Poe emphasized the need to update the law to keep pace with modern challenges. “The original Animal Welfare Act, enacted in 1998, laid essential groundwork for animal protection. However, two decades later, critical gaps in legal and institutional frameworks have emerged, highlighting the need for a more effective approach to animal rights,” he explained.
Prohibiting Cruel Practices and Raising Penalties
The bill explicitly bans cruel practices like dog meat trading and animal fighting, regardless of cultural context. It also increases penalties for animal cruelty offenses, holding individuals and public officials accountable.
Despite the Philippines’ reputation as a pet-loving nation, animal cruelty incidents persist. For instance, earlier this year, social media condemned a foreign national who was caught on CCTV kicking and killing a community cat in a Makati City park, according to local animal welfare groups.
The proposed Revised Animal Welfare Act of 2025 aims to respond to these challenges by strengthening protections and improving enforcement mechanisms.
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