ILOILO CITY, (PNA) — Stray dogs or neglected dogs will find a home now — courtesy of the Animal Welfare Association (AWA), a non-government organization created by animal advocates here for the welfare and defense of animal rights.
AWA was launched Wednesday and the group is headed by Anna Marie Rivera Wharton, a spa owner and fervent dog lover.
She said they are looking for volunteers, foster homes for the animals, and donors to save the dogs and cats in the community.
Wharton said that Republic Act 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 has been wantonly violated and the dogs and cats suffered inhumane treatment from human beings.
She said they are more focused on protecting the rights of the ordinary “aspin” or “asong pinoy.”
The law provides sanctions and penalties against persons who subject any animal to cruelty, maltreatment or neglect.
Punishment includes one year and six months and one day to two years and or a fine not exceeding P100,000 if the animal subjected to cruelty, maltreatment or neglect dies.
Imprisonment of one year and one day to one year and six months and or a fine not exceeding P50,000 if the animal subjected to maltreatment survives but is severely injured with loss of its natural faculty to survive on its own and needing human intervention to sustains its life.
The law further provides imprisonment of six months to one year and or fine not exceeding P30,000 for subjecting the animal to cruelty but without causing its death or incapacitating it to survive on its own.
Wharton said dog or cat lovers who want their kittens to be adopted or who want to find a shelter for the animals may contact AWA at Spa Rivera.