Not covered by Animal Welfare Act: PAWS seeks stronger protection for pets after death

MANILA — The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is pushing for stronger protections for companion animals even after their death, including tighter regulation of pet crematoriums, following the discovery of 29 animal remains in a vacant lot in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

The remains, reportedly belonging to dogs and cats entrusted to a pet crematorium for disposal, prompted questions about the establishment’s handling of the animals. Affected pet owners said they had paid for cremation services and received urns containing ashes, only to later learn that their pets’ remains had allegedly been dumped.

PAWS Executive Director Anna Cabrera said the incident highlights a gap in existing animal welfare protections, as the Animal Welfare Act covers the treatment of animals while they are alive but not the handling of their remains after death.

“Pag mga ganon na basta tinapon sa daan, there’s no animal welfare violation there. Kasi ang animal welfare involves only the treatment of animals or inflicting suffering, torture or maltreatment while the animal is alive. When the animal is dead, there is no welfare,” Cabrera said in a DZMM interview.

She explained that the disposal of dead animals instead falls under sanitation and solid waste management regulations, which prohibit the improper dumping of animal remains.

“Ang dead animals or mga carcasses, hindi na ‘yan sakop [ng animal welfare] dahil meron na siyang sanitation laws. Kasi on the part of public health and sanitation, sakop na siya,” she said.

Cabrera also cited public health concerns arising from the dumped remains, saying residents in the area reportedly experienced illnesses due to the foul smell.

“Very unsanitary and may impact sa public health. Kung nakikita niyo, dun sa tinambakan ng mga pets sa San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, na-report na doon na medyo nagkakasakit na sila at dahil sa sangsang ng amoy ng mga katawan. Kaya they had to move out of the place,” she said.

Cabrera said sanitation regulations vary depending on the city, but animal remains should generally not be dumped in open disposal sites.

Instead, companion animals may be properly buried or cremated. Aquamation, which uses a water-based process to handle remains, is another option.

“Sa sanitation code talaga iba-iba ‘yan bawat city. But generally hindi dapat sa open dump site ‘yung mga remains ng animal. So they’re either buried or i-cremation kung sa mga companion animals. Then there’s also aquamation,” she said.

She said proper disposal is necessary not only out of respect for pet owners but also to prevent sanitation problems and possible health risks.

Cabrera said PAWS is pushing for the proposed Aming Alaga Bill, which seeks to establish a National Commission on Animal Welfare that would oversee businesses and facilities handling animals, including their licensing and permits.

She said a centralized body could provide closer monitoring of animal-related establishments and allow authorities to pursue accountability beyond the revocation of business permits by local government units.

“So kung may isang ahensiya that will be able to decide, hindi lang revocation of the permits ang mangyayari. ‘Yan ang nangyayari usually kasi business permit, so ‘yung LGU i-revoke lang ‘yung permit nung nag-operate. Pero wala na,” she said.

PAWS is also open to a separate law specifically regulating pet crematoriums to ensure that these businesses are properly monitored.

Cabrera stressed that businesses providing services for companion animals should operate with compassion and integrity, whether they are veterinary clinics, grooming centers, boarding facilities or crematoriums.

“Afterlife services is just as important. Tama ‘yung sinasabi niyo kanina na ang responsibility natin towards the animals does not end with the life of the animal. Hanggang sa mailibing at mailagay sa tahimik ‘yung katawan ng ating beloved pets, dapat doon yung responsibility,” she said.