Animal cruelty remains a pressing yet often overlooked issue in the Philippines. Despite the existence of Republic Act No. 8485, or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 (amended by RA 10631 in 2013), cases of animal abuse, neglect, and violence continue to rise. According to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), they receive an average of 500 reports of animal cruelty cases per year — a figure that likely represents only a fraction of the actual number, as many cases go unreported due to a lack of public awareness or fear of retaliation.

 Animal Welfare Act of 1998 (RA 8485)

One alarming example is the increasing number of dog fighting rings uncovered in the country. In 2023, multiple cases of illegal dogfighting, or "dog derbies," were reported in provinces like Laguna and Batangas, where dogs were brutally forced to fight for gambling purposes. Additionally, stray animals, estimated at 12 million nationwide according to the Department of Health (DOH), face daily threats of abuse, starvation, and diseases. These strays, left unprotected, are often victims of poisoning, burning, and even being run over deliberately.

2019 Data on Stray Animals

While the Animal Welfare Act punishes cruelty with imprisonment of up to two years and fines of up to P100,000, many argue that the current law is not enough. Prosecutions are rare, and offenders often go unpunished due to weak implementation and lack of dedicated animal welfare officers. The lack of stricter penalties emboldens animal abusers, sending the message that these acts of cruelty are not treated as serious crimes.

World Animal Protection - Philippines Animal Welfare Overview

There is an urgent need to review and strengthen the Animal Welfare Act by imposing harsher punishments, improving enforcement, and mandating animal welfare education nationwide. As a nation that takes pride in being compassionate and caring, the Philippines must ensure that animals — as sentient beings — are protected from harm, neglect, and violence. By signing this petition, we demand justice for animals and push our lawmakers to prioritize the welfare of creatures who cannot speak for themselves.

Now is the time to be their voice. Let us work together to create a society that values life — both human and animal — and makes cruelty a thing of the past.