Promoting animal welfare

On the Internet, we see animals that are thin to the bones, suffering from skin infection, neglected or maltreated. For animal lovers, this is such a waste of life.

As a former dog breeder, we were taught how to become responsible pet owners. Dogs need to be vaccinated at a certain age and this has to be followed-up yearly. They had to be walked every morning and every evening. Instill discipline. Raise them wrong, and they’ll turn out brats or worse, violent.

I have one Askal dog named “Sunstar” who was found just outside our gate. Knowing fully well that she needed tender, loving care, we let her inside, petted her and fed her. Then we would put her outside again thinking that her own might be looking for her.

But she never left our front gate. Since then, we adopted her.

ADOPTION

This talk about dog adoption also brings to mind megastar Sharon Cuneta who, instead of buying from pet shops, decided to adopt a rescued dog named Chow Rosie, a Chow-Chow.

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) encouraged Cuneta to visit their shelter and there she met Chow Rosie who, at that time, cannot walk because of her wounds caused by infection.

Now, Chow Rosie is a happy member of the Cuneta’s brood of dogs at home.

“Some people don’t care much about animals, but I am reminded of Noah’s Ark . . .  and realize that God bothered to ask Noah to build a huge ark to accommodate all those animals because He loved them. They are His beloved creatures, too,” Cuneta said.

Now, Cuneta is a supporter of PAWS. The organization also reported that actress Carla Abellana and singer Karylle are also supportive of their projects.

VOLUNTEER

PAWS is a volunteer-based non-government organization whose goal is to prevent animal cruelty through education, animal sheltering and advocacy. PAWS believes that the creation of a more peaceful society starts with the widening of mankind's circle of compassion which includes animals, thereby envisions a nation that respects animals, practices responsible pet ownership and protects wildlife.

Recently, Ilonggos who love animals, gathered at Spa Riviera for a Volunteer Day for PAWS. This initiative by owner Anna Marie Rivera-Wharton aimed to gather enough volunteers so that PAW will put up an Iloilo chapter.

Dogs of different breeds as well as exotic animals were brought by their owners.

Those who wanted to volunteer were asked to fill-out a form of PAWS. Some ways to help the organization are: rescue, education, adoption, networking, feeding, donation and office work.

Interested volunteers can download the form from the PAWS website or visit Spa Riviera.

ANIMAL WELFARE

Meanwhile, House Bill 6893, which amends Republic Act No. 8485 otherwise known as “An Act To Promote Animal Welfare In The Philippines, or The Animal Welfare Act Of 1998, was approved by the House of Representatives during its second reading last February. The bill aims to increase the penalties for animal welfare offense, like maximum imprisonment of two years and/or a fine not exceeding P100,000, if the animal subjected to cruelty, maltreatment or neglect dies.

Also, if an animal is subjected to cruelty, maltreatment or neglect survives but is severely injured with loss of its natural faculty to live on its own and needs human intervention to sustain its life, the penalty is one year and six months imprisonment and/or fine of P50,000.

For those who subject an animal to cruelty, maltreatment or neglect but without causing its death or incapacitating it to survive on its own, they will be fined P30,000 and imprisoned for six months.*