Skip to main content

PAWS. Philippines. Animal Chronicles. Dr. Wilford Almoro, Shelter Vet.









Video streaming by Ustream
Animal Chronicles is a weekly, one-hour radio show hosted by PAWS Director Anna Cabrera on DZRJ, 810 khz. Showtime, as of today, is Monday, 7pm Manila time which is 7am on the American eastcoast.

Although I don't live in Manila, I know enough of the goings-on in that city to say that this is the first radio show devoted specifically to animal welfare. You can call it a breakthrough. This was unheard of when I was growing up in Manila. It's a wonderful opportunity, a virtual bullhorn, to spread the gospel of animal rights, welfare, and responsible dog guardianship.

Not ownership, but guardianship. I cringe at the word, "owner," and I avoid it like the plague.

The Philippines is still in the nascent period of its animal welfare revolution, but the country is making great strides towards a more humane society with the passing of the Philippine Animal Welfare Act (R.A. 8485) and the Anti-Rabies Act. Animal cruelty cases have begun to be heard in court, and the first ever conviction of a private citizen
occurred this year for an act of animal cruelty committed on a single animal, a kitten in this case.

There is a lot of hope. And with a growing number of animal rights advocates and organizations like CARA
, IRO, AARRC, AKF and SAWS, the prospect of a more humane Filipino society is very real.

Comments

Anonymous said…
On responsible dog ownership: dogs roaming around the streets (with owner)however they allowed their dogs to roam aoround without having companion, poses great danger to innocent people who are unaware on how to deal with the dogs..Say example a child who would run away from the dog that may cause him to other accidents caused by uncontrolled running or sudden reaction if he encounters dogs on the streets...You may escape from the dog bite but the trauma of dealing with the dogs... Dogs are nice but it should always have its owner to have it actions controllable...In my opinion, responsible ownership should entail that the owner must be present with the dog whenever the dog is in contact with the general public or outside of the owner's premise.
Ted Teodoro said…
I have no problems with your point, Anon. Responsible dog ownership includes leashing one's dog whenever out in public. Owners must have control over their dogs at all times.The Anti-Rabies Act is very clear on this point. Municipal dog catchers know this and any dog that is running loose is fair game for them. Responsible dog ownership comes hand in hand with animal welfare/rights.

Popular posts from this blog

Philippines. Reporting Animal Cruelty. Emergency Numbers. RA 8485.

Because I belong to an group of animal welfare advocates in the Philippines, I can read the numerous discussions between group members and people who, seems to me, just signed up to make an urgent plea for help. There were two this week who begged for assistance concerning two dogs who were tied up under rain and sun with no food nor water. One was described to be on the verge of a heat stroke. The images that filled my mind disturbed me immensely, but I am also encouraged at the same time. There is a growing number of animal welfare advocates in the Philippines and ordinary citizens are beginning to reject animal cruelty, willing to take personal action against it. Just from this website, I can see from the visitor data that many are seeking information on how to report animal cruelty in the Philippines. You can find my previous post on the subject HERE . Keep in mind that your complaint has legal standing via the Philippine Animal Welfare Act which is also known as the RA 8485 ....

Three Members of the Philippine Shooting Team and the Killing of Protected Philippine Wildlife

When a member of the animal or plant kingdom goes extinct, there will be no second chances. Evolution will simply not repeat itself. There are reportedly eighty bird species that are unique to the Philippines and many of them have already made it to the endangered list. And we, to a great extent, have indiscrimate hunting to thank for it. In spite of two national laws protecting Philippine animals, the carnage continues unabated. The killings could occur as arbitrarily as guys getting together for macho time, or as a result of a well-planned hunting trip involving speed boats, bird callers, and camouflaged outfits. Either way, the outcome is the same. Philippine wildlife, our natural treasures, inches closer to a state of irreparable vacancy. Not too long ago, we learned about the Bacolod Air Rifle Club (BARC) whose unbridled killing of Philippine birds and ducks became the subject of an online petition calling for immediate government intervention. My post on that most disturbing c...

Pitbull Saves Family from Cobra, Killed in Action

Take a good look. Doesn't he seem like the vicious pitbull we have been warned about? Temperamental and treacherous? He'll attack family members, even children. Well, actually, he was far from it. I said that in the past tense because Chief is no longer with us on this Earth. Two human beings are alive today because Chief gave his life for them. How many people do you know who are willing to make that last full measure of devotion? He saved an 87-year-old Liberata la Victoria and her granddaughter Maria Victoria Fronteras from a cobra that slithered through an opening in the family’s kitchen. The confrontation left two dead, but let two others live out their lives. This was in Cagayan de Oro City (Philippines) in February, 2007. Chief's story is one that hardcore anti- pitbull people would have trouble understanding and accepting. But, here it is whether they like it or not. Those who are plain ignorant about the breed might free themselves from this prison by giving...