Animal Welfare Month: Some activities to check out in Metro Manila

Animal-friendly activities are lined up around Metro Manila for October 1, World Animal Day, and the whole month of October, Animal Welfare Month.

The Philippines has laws promoting the welfare of animals. For one, October 4 is celebrated in the country as Kindness to Animals Day by virtue of Proclamation No. 537, s. 1958.

October 4 happens to be the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Catholic patron of animals and the environment.

The Philippines also has a law promoting the welfare of all terrestrial, aquatic and marine animals under Republic Act 8545, also known as "The Animal Welfare Act of 1998."

Under this law, it is "unlawful for any person to torture any animal, to neglect to provide adequate care, sustenance of shelter, or maltreat any animal or to subject any dog or horse to dogfights or horsefights, kill or cause or procure to be tortured or deprived of adequate care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat or use the same in research or experiments not expressly authorized by the Committee on Animal Welfare."

On World Animal Day, October 1, several areas in Metro Manila held pet-friendly events. In Quezon City, the City Veterinary Office (CVO) offered free rabies shot, deworming, nailclipping, grooming, vitamins, germicidal spray, neuter, and dog/cat food for free at the Commonwealth Plaza.

Dr. Ana Maria Cabel of the CVO the "one-day of pampering to pets is worth of owner’s time and effort to show their love and care for their pet.” 

Listed below are some of the activities for Animal Welfare Month.

PASAY CITY
(1) Music Hall, Mall of Asia
October 4

• Pet blessing

QUEZON CITY
(1) Eastwood City, #EastwoodMall Open Park
October 2 (3:00 p.m.)

• Pet blessing
• Show featuring superhero police and rescue dogs

PASIG CITY

(1) Tiendesitas
October 2

• Pet blessing (11:00 a.m.)
• Dog adventure (2:00 p.m.)

TAGUIG CITY
(1) Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City
October 3

• Pet Blessing
• Fund Raising at Bonifacio High Street

— Veronica Pulumbarit, GMA News