June 11, 2004 Department of Agriculture Administrative Order ____ Series of 2004 Subject: RULES AND

REGULATIONS ON KENNELS Section 1. BASIC POLICY AND OBJECTIVES Pursuant to Section 2 of Republic
Act 8485 known as the “Animal Welfare Act of 1998” and in order to set forth the rules, regulations and
processes for the registration and accreditation of kennels and other similar establishments, including
their operations/administrations, the following are hereby promulgated for the information and
guidance of all concerned. The Basic Freedom of animals are the following as adopted by Committee on
Animal Welfare and Animal Welfare Division:  Freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition; 
Freedom from physical discomfort and pain;  Freedom from injury and disease;  Freedom to conform
to essential behavior patterns; and  Freedom from fear and distress. Section 2. DEFINITION OF TERMS
2.1 Animal Welfare Division is a division of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), whose objective is to
implement the animal welfare precepts in the Philippines. 2.2 Kennel refers to any facility, land
premises, shed, barn, building, trailer, or other structure or area housing intended to house domestic
dogs for breeding, maintaining, keeping, and training. For regulation purposes, a kennel shall have 20
dogs or more at least 6 months of age and above. 2.2.1 Primary Enclosure refers to any structure or
device used to restrict an animal or animals to a limited amount of space, such as room, pen, run, cage,
compartment, hutch. (see section 7) 2.2.2 Indoor Housing Facility refers to any structure or building with
environmentally pleasant housing (space requirement is at least 3 times the size of the dog) or intended
to house dogs. 2.2.3 Outdoor Housing Facility refers to any structure, building, land, or premises,
housing or intended to house dogs in which temperature cannot be controlled within set limits. Republic
of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Office of the Secretary Elliptical Road, Diliman,
Quezon City Philippines2 2.2.4 Sheltered Housing Facility refers to a housing facility, which provides the
animals with shelter, protection from the elements, and protection from temperature extremes at all
times. A sheltered housing facility may consist of runs or pens totally enclosed in a barn or building, or of
connecting inside/outside runs or pens in a totally enclosed building. 2.2.5 Animal boarding kennels –
commercial places at which food and accommodation are provided for temporary stay. 2.2.6 Whelping
facility – is a facility where pregnant bitches are brought for parturition assistance. Should have a
veterinarian to attend to the medical, obstetrical, gynecological and related needs. In case of surgical
intervention, this must be referred to a BAI registered surgical clinic or hospital. 2.3 Kennel Caregiver -
the individual in charge of the kennel and the animals therein. 2.4 Animal Shelters/Dog pounds
(City/Municipality/Province) – accommodation provided for and to maintain custody of discarded and
unwanted pets, usually provided by animal welfare societies or Local Government Units (LGU). 2.5 Dog
Training School – a facility for dog education and other similar function with special requirements such
as obedience, protection and detection of specific substances. The training of guide dogs is included.
Section 3. HEALTH REQUIREMENTS AND HUSBANDRY STANDARDS 3.1 Vaccination, Deworming and
other health requirements should be in accordance to set standards upon the recommendation of a
licensed veterinarian. Section 4. RECORD KEEPING 4.1 Breeding and other health records including other
documents should be properly kept and available. 4.2 Animal identification may be a written
description, or by the use of physical devices as microchip and electronically activated responders or
transponder, or by marks made on the animal, prescribed by the national authority. Section 5. KENNEL
REGISTRATION 5.1 All Kennels as referred to in the definition shall be registered with the Bureau of
Animal Industry. Section 6. PRIMARY ENCLOSURE 6.1 Primary enclosures for dogs should meet the
following minimum requirements: 6.1.1 Primary enclosures must be designed and constructed of
suitable materials so that they are structurally sound. The primary enclosures must be kept in good
repair.
6.1.2. Primary enclosures must be constructed and maintained so that it: 6.1.2a.) has no sharp points or
edges that could injure the dogs;3 6.1.2b.) protect the dogs from injury; 6.1.2c.) contain the dogs
securely; 6.1.2d.) keep other animals from entering the enclosure; 6.1.2e.) enable the dogs to remain
dry and clean; 6.1.2f.) provide shelter and protection from extreme temperatures and weather
conditions that may be uncomfortable or hazardous to the dogs; 6.1.2g.) provide sufficient shade to
shelter all the dogs housed in the primary enclosure at one time; 6.1.2h.) provide all the dogs with easy
and convenient access to clean food and water; enable all surfaces in contact with the dogs to be readily
cleaned and sanitized, or be replaceable when worn out; 6.1.2i.)

have floors that are constructed in a manner that protects the dogs’ feet and legs from injury, and that,
if mesh or slatted construction, does not allow the dogs’ feet to pass through any openings in the floor;

6.1.2j.) provide sufficient space to allow each dog to turn about freely, to stand, sit, and lie in a
comfortable, normal position, and to walk in a normal manner. 6.2 Space. Each dog housed in a primary
enclosure (including weaned puppies) must be provided a minimum amount of floor space, calculated as
follows: Find the mathematical square of the sum of the length of the dog in inches (measured from the
tip of its nose to the base of its tail) plus 6 inches; then divide the product by 144. The calculation is:
(length of dog in inches+6) x (length of dog in inches + 6) required floor space in square inches. Required
floor space in inches/144=required floor space in square feet. Each bitch with nursing puppies must be
provided with an additional amount of floor space, based on her breed and behavioral characteristics,
and in accordance with generally accepted husbandry practices as determined by the attending
veterinarian. The interior height of a primary enclosure must be at least 6 inches higher than the head of
the tallest dog in the enclosure when it is in a normal standing position on its four legs. 6.3
Compatibility: All dogs housed in the same primary enclosure must be compatible, as determined by
observation. Not more than 12 adult non-conditioned dogs may be housed in the same primary
enclosure. Bitches in heat may not be housed in the same primary enclosure with sexually mature
males, except for breeding. Except when maintained in breeding colonies, bitches with litters may not
be housed in same primary enclosure with other adult dogs, and puppies under 4 months of age may
not be housed in the same primary enclosure with adult dogs other than the dam or foster dam. Dogs
with a vicious or aggressive disposition must be housed separately. 6.4 Dogs in mobile or traveling
shows or acts. Dogs that are part of a mobile or traveling show or act may be kept, while the show or act
is traveling from one temporary location to another, in transport containers that comply with all the
requirements. When the show or act is not traveling, the dogs must be placed in primary enclosures that
meet the minimum requirements. 6.5 Prohibited means of primary enclosure. Permanent tethering of
dogs is prohibited for use as permanent enclosure.4 Section 7. HOUSING FACILITIES and EQUIPMENT 7.1
Kennels may be of different designs like kennel or house type, open or closed provided that the dogs are
protected from the elements. 7.2 Space requirement - as stipulated in Section 6. 7.3 Mattings, materials
to be used, fencing and enclosures should be appropriate. 7.4 Transport cages for training purposes
must be comfortable to the dog. 7.5 Waste Management - must comply with local government
requirements. 7.6 Ventilation - proper ventilation should be observed always 7.7 Maintenance: All
surfaces must be maintained on a regular basis. Surfaces of housing facilities-including houses, dens, and
other furniture-type fixtures and objects within the facility-that cannot be readily cleaned and sanitized,
must be replaced when worn or soiled. 7.8 Cleaning: Hard surfaces with which the dogs come in contact
with must be spot-cleaned daily and sanitized to prevent accumulation of excreta and reduce disease
hazards. Floors made of dirt, absorbent bedding, sand, gravel, grass, or other similar material must be
raked or spotcleaned with sufficient frequency to ensure all animals the freedom to avoid contact with
excreta. Contaminated material must be replaced whenever this raking and spot-cleaning is not
sufficient to prevent or eliminate odors, insects, pests, or vermin infestation. 7.9 Water and electric
power. The housing facility must have reliable electric power adequate for heating, cooling, ventilation,
and lighting, and for carrying out other husbandry requirements. The housing facility must provide
adequate running potable water for the dogs’ drinking needs, for cleaning, and for carrying out other
husbandry requirements. 7.10 Storage: Supplies of food and bedding must be stored in a manner that
protects the supplies from spoilage, contamination, and vermin infestation. The supplies must be stored
off the floor away from the walls, to allow cleaning underneath and around the supplies. Foods requiring
refrigeration must be stored accordingly, and all food must be stored in a manner that prevents
contamination and deterioration of its nutritive value. Substances that are toxic to the dogs but are
required for normal husbandry practices must not be stored in food storage and preparation areas, but
may be stored in cabinets in the animal areas. 7.11 Drainage and waste disposal: Kennel operators must
provide for regular and frequent collection, removal, and disposal of animal and food wastes, bedding,
debris, garbage, water, other fluids and wastes, including dead animals in a manner that minimizes
contamination and disease risks. Housing facilities must be equipped with disposal facilities and
drainage systems that are constructed and operated so that animal waste and water are rapidly
eliminated and animals stay dry. Trash containers in housing facilities and in food storage and food
preparation areas must be leakproof and must have tightly fitted lids on them at all times. Dead animals,
animal parts, and animal waste must not be kept in food storage or food preparation areas, food
freezers, food refrigerators, or animal areas.5 7.12 Washrooms and sinks: 7.12.1 Washing facilities such
as washrooms, basins, sinks, or showers must be provided and must be readily accessible. 7.12.2 Dogs
that are housed in the same primary enclosure must be compatible, with the following restrictions :
7.12.2a. Females in heat (estrus) may not be housed in the same primary enclosure with males, except
for breeding purposes; 7.12.2b. Any dog exhibiting a vicious or overly aggressive disposition must be
housed separately; 7.12.2c. Puppies 4 months of age or less may not be housed in the same primary
enclosure with adult dogs other than their dams or foster dams, except when permanently maintained
in breeding colonies; 7.12.2d. Dogs may not be housed in the same primary enclosure with any other
species of animals, unless they are compatible; and 7.12.2e. Dogs that have or are suspected of having a
contagious disease must be isolated from healthy animals in the colony, as directed by the attending
licensed and practicing veterinarian. When an entire group or room of dogs is known to have or believed
to be exposed to an infectious agent, the group may be kept intact during the process of diagnosis,
treatment, and control. 7.12.2f. Exercise for dogs: Kennel operators must develop, document, and
follow an appropriate plan to provide dogs with the opportunity for exercise. The plan must be
approved by the attending veterinarian. The plan must include written standard procedures to be
followed in providing the opportunity for exercise. In developing their plan, kennel owners should
consider providing positive physical contact with humans that encourages exercise through play or other
similar activities. The opportunity for exercise may be provided in number of ways such as: 1.) Group
housing in cages, pens, or runs that provide at least 100% of the required space for each dog if
maintained separately under the minimum floor space requirement; 2.) Maintaining individually housed
dogs in cages, pens, or runs that provide at least twice the minimum floor space requirement; 3.)
Providing access to a run or open area at the frequency and duration prescribed by the attending
veterinarian. Forced exercise methods or devices such as swimming, treadmills, or carousel-type devices
are unacceptable for meeting the exercise requirements. 7.12.2g. Feeding: Dogs must be fed at least
once each day, except as otherwise might be required to provide adequate veterinary care. The food
must be uncontaminated, wholesome, palatable, and of sufficient quantity and nutritive value to
maintain the normal condition and weight of the animal. The diet must be appropriate for the individual
animal’s age and condition. Measures should be taken to ensure that there is no molding, deterioration,
and caking of feed. 7.12.2h. Watering: If potable water is not continually available to the dogs, it must
be offered to the dogs as often as necessary to ensure their health and wellbeing, but not less than
twice daily for at least 1 hour each time, unless restricted by the attending veterinarian.6 Section 8.
PENAL PROVISIONS Violation of any of the provisions of this Rules and Regulations shall be penalized in
accordance with the law. Section 9. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE In case any provision of this Rules and
Regulations is declared contrary to law and/or unconstitutional, other provisions which are not affected
thereby shall continue to be enforced and in effect. Section 10. REPEALING CLAUSE All Administrative
Orders, Rules and Regulations and other administrative issuance or parts thereof, inconsistent with the
provisions of this Regulation are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. Section 11. EFFECTIVITY This
Regulation shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation or
Official Gazette of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines

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ACCESS TO CLEAN DRINKING WATER

IN THE PHILIPPINES
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 2.1 billion people lack access to safe drinking, with
people in rural areas with limited infrastructure being mostly affected. Within the Philippines, this concept
manifests in that 91% of the country’s estimated 100.7 million population have access to basic water
services, but access is highly inequitable across the country, with regional basic water services access
ranging from 62% to 100%. To combat water insecurity, government bodies, non-governmental
organizations (NGO’s) and independent parties have collaborated to ensure that all citizens have access to
clean drinking water in the Philippines.

The Philippine Clean Water Act

In 2004, the government passed the Philippine Clean Water Act which aims to protect water bodies from
pollution and monitor their safety. This was implemented through multiple boards of governors and local
mayors who were given specific water sources to monitor and maintain. By localizing management, the
government found that leaders were more driven to clean their water because it affected their personal
community. In addition, this strategy hinged upon community involvement as well, which led to a greater
public awareness of water sanitation. In other countries with a similar problem, this localized strategy
could work to create a body of legislators invested in water access, which would lead to cleaner water
overall.

Hydropanel Fields
Water sanitizing technology has also been instrumental in guaranteeing access to all populations in the
Philippines, specifically the rural ones. For the indigenous people of Palawan, the lack of clean drinking
water is due to their lack of access to city centers and infrastructure. SOURCE Global and Conservation
International collaborated to create a field of hydropanels that will create 40,000 liters of clean drinking
water each year. Because the hydropanels are portable and easy to assemble, they can theoretically be
used anywhere in the world. This opens up possibilities globally for communities with inadequate drinking
water access. Going forward, this model could be used to eradicate water insecurity.
Water.org
Another influential NGO has been Water.org, which provides no-interest loans to families trying to gain
access to clean water in their homes. These loans are used to rig homes with plumbing as well as build
wells. The organization is unique in that it addresses the economic issues associated with a lack of clean
water. Without clean water, families contract diseases at higher rates, which limits their ability to work and
earn an income. In addition, because these illnesses tend to affect children at higher proportions, access to
clean water means a chance for education. Water.org’s belief is that by providing rural communities with
their own funding, the people in that community will be able to build themselves up independently and
ensure a legacy of success. As of now, the goal of the organization is to help the government in the
Philippines reach its goal of access to clean drinking water for all by 2028.

Other Organizations for Water Access

Two other notable NGOs are DAI and Clean Water International. Both of these organizations work
globally to ensure all people have access to clean water. In the Philippines, DAI specifically works to
improve sanitation techniques. This has been accomplished through infrastructure projects that transport
water in safer ways as well as education campaigns that teach communities how to check if the water is
clean and how to clean it properly. Similar to this, Clean Water International has worked to increase
sanitation. Both of these organizations maintain that proper sanitation is essential to access to clean water
and have provided the funds to create proper water sanitation.

Access to Clean Drinking Water

Without access to clean water, communities are barred from work opportunities, exposed to disease and
experience the effects of poverty at higher proportions. As seen in the Philippines, a multi-faceted and
robust approach is needed to address this crisis and it requires the cooperation of all. The problem of lack
of access to clean drinking water in the Philippines cannot be addressed simply by giving communities
water bottles. It must be a ground-up approach that gives communities the tools to create and access
clean water for years to come.

– Mary Buffaloe
Photo: Flickr

JANUARY 6, 2021 /

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