Animal cruelty is still rampant in the Philippines and in other countries. Numerous cases against animals have been reported. Countless uploads of people abusing animals have been making the rounds of social network. But only a few have been taken seriously. As a nation, we need to raise awareness on animal cruelty. Millions of people are supporting and are aware of animal protection, yet some are not. Many people are either uneducated on the issue or choose to disregard the millions of accounts on animal cruelty that happen each day.

Animal cruelty comes in many forms. Along with physical violence, it may also include the following:

• hoarding of animals
• unable to provide proper food and water for animals
• poor protection from the weather
• untidy environment
• abandonment

Most of the time, these conditions may lead to slow, painful death of the animal.

Animals are put in horrifying conditions that some cannot even imagine; puppy mills, tortured animals, animal fighting, neglected horses, animals used in laboratories for product testing, etc. Animals of every species deserve to be treated right! They feel just like humans do and do not ever deserve the abuse that many go through. The number of animal cruelty cases that are reported in the media are only a portion of the cases that exist. Most severe and cruel cases are never reported.

The treatment of animals in the Philippines has notoriously been very cruel and corrupt, which cast a negative light on the Philippines' positive reputation as a nation of beauty and kindness.

It's very disappointing that despite the Philippines strengthening the existing laws against animal cruelty, maltreatment and neglect, cases of people involved in committing crimes against animals are taken so lightly. I respectfully ask the President of the Philippines to have stricter and increased penalties for crimes committed against helpless animals, and also educate the animal cruelty offenders and teach how to care for and be more humane to animals.

Animal cruelty is serious, tragic, and often preventable. Help in the fight to save animals. Thank you.