SEN. Raffy Tulfo is seeking a Senate investigation into alleged fraudulent practices and improper disposal of deceased companion animals by some pet aftercare service providers.
In filing Senate Resolution 771, Tulfo cited a Nov. 2 episode of “Raffy Tulfo in Action,” which featured complaints from pet owners whose deceased animals were allegedly abandoned and dumped in a vacant lot in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan.
The discovery involved the remains of 29 pets — 26 dogs and three cats — that were reportedly found dumped at the site rather than properly cremated.
The incident came to light after pet owners who had availed themselves of cremation services from Ahjay Paws Aftercare Pet Crematorium in Bacoor, Cavite, raised concerns over the disposition of their animals’ remains.
The owners said they had been led to believe that the ashes returned to them were those of their departed pets, only to later discover that the animals’ remains had allegedly been abandoned in Bulacan.
Tulfo cited information from an animal welfare group indicating that as many as 120 dogs and cats may have been dumped at a site in San Jose del Monte City.
The senator said that pet owners pay for aftercare services to ensure the professional handling, respectful management and proper memorialization of their pets’ remains.
He said the alleged fraudulent practices must be investigated and stopped, emphasizing that animal welfare and protection should not end when animals die.
”Animal welfare and protection shall extend beyond the treatment and care of living animals to include the dignified, humane and respectful handling of their remains upon death, recognizing that pet owners place their trust in, and entrust their beloved companions to, service providers whom they compensate with the expectation of professional, ethical and respectful disposition of their pets’ remains,” Tulfo said.
To establish accountability and determine whether lapses in permitting, inspection or enforcement contributed to the alleged improper disposal, Tulfo called on several government agencies to investigate the incident.
These include the Department of Agriculture, through the Bureau of Animal Industry; the Department of the Interior and Local Government; the Department of Trade and Industry; the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; and the Department of Health.
Tulfo called for improvements to existing laws, policies and regulatory mechanisms governing the industry, as well as the introduction of appropriate legislative measures to ensure the humane, dignified, and proper handling and disposal of deceased animals.
Meanwhile, Sen. Mark Villar filed Senate Bill 2595, or the proposed Proper Aftercare and Memorialization of Pets’ Remains Act, which seeks to establish standards for the handling, storage, transportation and disposal of deceased companion animals, and impose stiffer penalties on violators.
”We understand the pain that every furmom and furdad feels upon the loss of their beloved furbabies. Our pets are part of our family; therefore, it is only fitting to ensure that their final farewell is marked by dignity, care and respect,” he said.
Under the measure, the Department of Agriculture, through the Bureau of Animal Industry, will establish accreditation guidelines and operating standards for pet aftercare providers in coordination with the departments of Health, Environment and Natural Resources, Interior and Local Government, and Trade and Industry.
Local government units will be primarily responsible for implementing the law, including issuing business licenses and permits, and maintaining a registry of accredited establishments.
The bill authorizes local government units, in coordination with concerned national agencies and law enforcement authorities, to conduct regular and unannounced inspections of establishments. Violators may face the suspension or revocation of their accreditation and business permits, subject to due process.
Operators providing aftercare services without the required accreditation, license or permit face fines ranging from P100,000 to P500,000.
