ANIMALS HAVE NO VOICE. WE DO.

• Abolish Inhumane Animal Pounds. Build Humane, State-Funded Shelters.
• Pass the Philippine Animal Welfare Reform and Modernization Act (PAWRMA)

Across the Philippines, countless animals are suffering in overcrowded, under-resourced, and inhumane animal pounds. Many are denied proper food, clean water, veterinary care, and humane treatment—leading to preventable suffering and death.

This system is broken. It is outdated, inadequate, and fails to meet even the most basic standards of animal welfare.

It must end!

We call for the abolition of inhumane animal pounds and the transition to humane, state-funded animal shelters and rehabilitation centers—facilities that provide proper care, medical treatment, and a real chance for recovery and adoption.

A Comprehensive Solution: 
PAWRMA

To achieve this, we urge the Philippine Congress to pass the Philippine Animal Welfare Reform and Modernization Act (PAWRMA)—a comprehensive law that will not only end cruelty in pounds, but also TRANSFORM the entire animal welfare system in the country.

What the Law Will Do:

End Inhumane Systems and Build Humane Alternatives

* Abolish inhumane animal pounds

* Transition to humane, state-funded animal shelters and rehabilitation centers

* Establish public veterinary hospitals in every city, municipality, and province

Strengthen Animal Welfare Governance and Enforcement

* Create a National Commission for Animals

* Create a Special Animal Welfare Adjudication Division 

* Establish animal welfare desks and an ombudsman system

* Require mandatory certification for animal welfare law enforcement officers

* Recognize and protect independent rescuers

Promote Humane and Science-Based Solutions

* Recognize Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) as official state policy

* Integrate animal welfare into a One Health framework

* Include humane education in schools and higher education

Improve National Systems and Accessibility

* Create a 24/7 National Animal Welfare Hotline

* Establish national registries for animal ownership, abuse, and offenders

* Modernize animal-drawn transport systems

* Ensure Accountability and Justice

* Impose stronger penalties for animal cruelty

* Remove jurisdictional gaps that delay justice

* Disqualify repeat offenders from owning animals

* Provide sustainable funding for enforcement, shelters, and education

Protect All Animals Across All Settings

* Safeguard agricultural and draft animals through humane workload and care standards

* Enforce strict welfare rules for zoo and captive wild animals

* Strengthen protection for all wildlife, including rescue and rehabilitation

* Regulate cockfighting and animal fighting to prevent cruelty

* Control ownership of exotic and predatory animals

* Prohibit the importation or shipment of animals harmful to the Philippine ecosystem

Why This Matters

Animals cannot speak for themselves. They cannot escape cruelty or demand better conditions. But we can.

Ending inhumane pounds is the first step toward building a system rooted in compassion, accountability, and respect for life.

Call to Action

We urge the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Philippines to pass PAWRMA into law.

Be their voice. Sign this petition. Help build a humane future for all animals.