INQUIRER FILES
ILOILO CITY — An animal rights advocate is seeking an amendment to the recently approved animal welfare ordinance by the local council in this city by issuing citations or fines to negligent pet owners instead of impounding stray or loose animals.
Norman Marquez, founder of the League of Animal Welfare Organizations of the Philippines (LAW Org Ph), Marquez wants the “no impounding citation system (NICS)” to be integrated into the ordinance.
He emphasized that this approach would enhance responsible pet ownership and community involvement while avoiding euthanasia as a population control method.
“The system intends to eliminate the necessity for pounds to take custody of pets, thus eradicating the risk of publicly-deplored euthanasia to impounded animals, regardless of age and health conditions,” Marquez said.
The ordinance, initiated by the Office of the City Veterinarian (OCV), includes several measures to improve animal welfare.
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These measures involve regulating the keeping of domestic animals, rescuing and rehabilitating stray animals, establishing disease investigation and surveillance systems, and conducting free spay and neuter programs.
The ordinance also designates October each year as “Animal Welfare Month” in Iloilo City to raise awareness and promote animal welfare initiatives.
Despite the enactment of the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, cases of animal cruelty, exploitation, and neglect continue to plague Iloilo City.
The new ordinance seeks to address these issues with more comprehensive and robust animal welfare measures.
It explicitly prohibits the torture, maltreatment, or neglect of animals, with violators facing penalties under the Animal Welfare Act.
The Iloilo City Pound and Animal Shelter, managed by the OCV, plays a crucial role in rescuing, rehabilitating, and caring for stray animals.
This comprehensive approach aims to raise the standard of animal welfare and ensure the well-being of pets and stray animals in Iloilo City.