Rules and Regulations on Pet Shops

September 14, 2003

DA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 21-03

SUBJECT  :  Rules and Regulations on Pet Shops

SECTION 1.  Basic Policy and Objectives. —

Pursuant to Section 2 of Republic Act 8485 known as the "Animal Welfare Act of the Philippines" and in order to set forth the rules, regulations and processes for the registration and accreditation of pet shops and other similar establishments, including their operations/administrations, the following are hereby promulgated for the information and guidance of all concerned.

The Basic Freedom of animals are the following as adopted by Committee on Animal Welfare and Animal Welfare Division:

•  Freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition;

•  Freedom from physical discomfort and pain;

•  Freedom from injury and disease;

•  Freedom to conform to essential behavior patterns; and

•  Freedom from fear and distress.

SECTION 2.  Definition of Terms. —

2.1  Animal Welfare Division refers to a division of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) which objective is to implement animal welfare in the Philippines by supervising and regulating the establishment and operation of all facilities involving animals.

2.2  Pet Animals refer to domestic, domesticated and captive-bred animals intended for protection, utility, companionship, therapy, values formation, and breeding.

2.3  Pet Shop refers to a fixed establishment primarily intended for the wholesale and retail of various pet animals.

2.4  Pet Shop Veterinarian refers to a licensed veterinarian under service agreement either on a full time or part time basis.

2.5  Wild Animals includes those that are directly captured from the wild.

SECTION 3.  General Responsibilities Qualifications/Regulations for Pet Shops. —

3.1  Pet shops shall have appropriate facilities to store/keep pet animals that are offered for sale or trade; (See Appendix I)

3.2  Pet shops shall provide written information to buyers on the proper care and handling of pet animals as well as an Owner's Pledge on responsible ownership; (See Appendix 2) and

3.3  Pet shops shall develop procedures for emergencies.

SECTION 4.  Basic Requirements For Pet Shops. —

4.1  Basic Facilities and Equipment

4.1.1  There shall be provisions for clean water and food. Environmental enrichment facilities such as toys, transport carriers shall be made available; perches appropriate to the size of the species shall be provided. (See Appendix 3)

4.1.2  Pet shops shall have proper ventilation, hygiene and sanitation.

4.2  Owners, Staff and Pet Shop Veterinarians.

4.2.1  Owners and Staff shall have training on animal handling, care and emergency procedures. They shall have knowledge of all the products they are selling.

4.2.2  Pet shop veterinarians shall provide a signed written program of veterinary care.

4.2.3  The pet shops for the purpose of animal behavior, feeding management and environmental enrichment shall have a BAI-AWD certified caretaker. aSATHE

4.3  Disease Control and Daily Health Program

4.3.1  Dead or sick animals must be removed from the display cages immediately and the cages should be properly cleaned.

4.3.2  The normal behavior of the animals shall not be curtailed.

4.3.3 Only apparently healthy animals shall be sold. Upon selling the animal, the owner should be advised to consult a veterinarian for continuation of a health program.

SECTION 5.  Practices That Need Special Attention. —

5.1  Dominant animals shall be segregated from submissive animals, (even of the same species) to prevent stress and trauma.

5.2  Predator birds/mammals/reptiles shall be visually and physically segregated from other non-predators.

5.3  The sale of birds e.g. sparrows or allowable birds shall be limited to pet shops and marketplaces. They shall have proper ventilation and protection from the sun and other harmful elements.

5.4  Pet shops as a matter of policy shall not sell animals for experimental/laboratory purposes.

5.5  Puppies for sale shall be properly vaccinated and accompanied by appropriate certificate.

5.6  The gadgets, paraphernalia, equipment used for the care, handling, training, restraining, control of the animals and for other purposes should meet the approval of the Animal Welfare Division, Bureau of Animal Industry, Department of Agriculture.

SECTION 6.  Identification Of Animals. —

6.1  All dogs and cats on the premises shall be properly identified as follows:

6.1.1.  Microchips, at the withers between the scapula; Tattoo (ear, axilla, medial thigh) or temporary marking. Except for temporary markings these should be done by a licensed veterinarian.

6.2  All captive bred birds shall be properly banded with closed leg bands. (See Appendix 4 and 5). Trauma to the legs should be avoided.

6.3  Other animals such as but not limited to rodents, lagomorphs, reptiles, amphibians shall be identified through a label posted on the cages.

6.4  A label attached to the cages or enclosure shall bear a description, number, species, scientific name, common name and breed of the animal.

6.5  All pet shops shall have a weekly inventory of all its animals.

SECTION 7.  Period In Which The Animal Can Be Displayed In A Pet Shop. —

7.1.1  No dog or cat should be displayed for more than 14 days.

SECTION 8.  Transport Carriers For Animals. —

8.1  Safe and comfortable transport carriers should be provided (plastic bags are not allowed).

8.2  Transport carriers shall not be used as permanent cages.

SECTION 9.  Commercial Establishments Selling Pets. —

9.1  Pets sold in other commercial establishments such as but not limited to agricultural and poultry supply should comply with the same rules and regulations on pet shops.

9.2  In the case of wild animals the requirements imposed by RA 9147 otherwise known as Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act and existing rules and regulations are likewise to be secured.

9.3  Other local government requirements shall be secured.

SECTION 10.  Prohibited Acts. —

10.1  Birds tied on the legs and carried upside down while being transported and peddled.

10.2  Pet shops shall not buy and sell any stolen animal and paraphernalia.

10.3  Veterinary clinics and hospitals shall not be located inside the pet shops or vice-versa. They cannot have one common entrance.

10.4  Turtles should not be stacked one on top of the other.

10.5  Stuffed animals should not be displayed or sold in pet shops, neither in veterinary clinics or hospitals.

SECTION 11.  Penal Provisions. —

Violation of any of the provisions of these Rules and Regulations shall be penalized in accordance with the law.

SECTION 12.  Separability Clause. —

In case any provision of these Rules and Regulations is declared contrary to law and/or unconstitutional, other provisions which are not affected thereby shall continue to be enforced and in effect.

SECTION 13.  Repealing Clause. —

All administrative Orders, Rules and Regulations and other administrative issuance or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Regulation are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 14.  Effectivity. —

This Regulation shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation or Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines.

 

(SGD.) LUIS P. LORENZO, JR.Secretary