Senator Mark Villar has filed a measure seeking to strengthen the adoption of stray and impounded animals as he urged Wednesday pet owners to be responsible.

In his Senate Bill No 2257, or An Act Strengthening the Adoption of Stray and Impounded Animals, filed on May 29, Villar quoted a statement of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) that animal homelessness has reached a crisis point in the Philippines.

PETA is a non-profit American animal rights organization based in Norfolk, Virginia, United States and has more than 9 million members globally.

“Countless dogs and cats struggle to survive on the streets, while hundreds are euthanized every month in municipal pounds. Strays and rescues that are not adopted or claimed at local pounds are often put down due to lack of space and resources,” Villar said in his explanatory note.

He cited data from the City Veterinary Department in Quezon City, which showed that its city pound captures an average of 200 stray animals per week or equivalent to about 9,600 homeless animals yearly.

However, the pet adoption rate is at less than 1 percent. More often than not, impounded animals were constrained to undergo euthanasia as provided under Department of Agriculture Administrative Order No. 09, series of 2011.

Villar said the bill seeks to encourage adoption of stray and impounded animals by providing the corresponding tax incentive benefits to any person or corporation who shall adopt them in accordance with this Act.
The proposed measure also seeks to reduce euthanasia for stray and impounded animals. (PNA)