DAVAO CITY – A Davao City councilor is pushing for an ordinance that would expand the city's animal welfare policy from dogs to more animals.

"The significant change in the amendment is the expansion of coverage," Councilor Ralph Abella said. "From the previous law focusing on dogs, the new ordinance establishes clear classifications for other animals."

He said the proposed ordinance seeks to amend Ordinance No. 0902-22, or the "Dog Welfare, Leashing, and Licensing Ordinance," and replace it with the "Davao City Animal Welfare, Control, and Public Safety Ordinance of 2026."

Abella said the measure broadens coverage to include cats, livestock, poultry, working animals, and other animals under human care, while setting clearer classifications, definitions, and rules for each type.

The proposed ordinance groups animals into categories: Companion animals (dogs, cats, and other pets), livestock (swine, cattle, goats, sheep, and carabao), poultry (chickens, ducks, geese, and other fowl), and working animals (horses and carabaos).

It also outlines animal owners' duties, including providing proper food, water, and shelter; keeping animals from roaming; maintaining cleanliness; ensuring public safety, and being responsible for any damage their animals cause.

The Committee on Agriculture, Aquaculture, Food, and Animals chairperson said for dogs and cats, registration, identification, rabies vaccination, and leash use in public areas would be mandatory, with strays subject to impounding.

Livestock, Abella said, would be restricted in residential zones unless permitted, and must be confined in secure enclosures that meet sanitation and proper waste management standards to prevent health and odor issues.

He added that poultry would be allowed only in limited numbers to avoid nuisance and sanitation issues, while working animals must not be subjected to cruelty or overwork and must be given proper care, rest, and humane treatment.

The proposed ordinance introduces regulations for non-profit animal rescue centers, requiring registration with the City Veterinarian's Office, permits to operate, and compliance with standards on shelter, sanitation, animal health care, capacity limits, and security.

Abella emphasized that these facilities would be prohibited from commercial breeding or selling animals and maintaining overcrowded or unsanitary conditions. He added that the CVO would conduct inspections with health and barangay officials.

He said the city government may also support accredited rescue groups through vaccination programs, spay-and-neuter initiatives, and technical assistance to improve animal care and population control.

The measure sets rules for handling stray and nuisance animals, allowing them to be captured and impounded. Owners can reclaim them after meeting the requirements and paying fees, while unclaimed may be adopted or humanely disposed of.

Abella admitted that limited impounding facilities remain a challenge and suggested that capable barangays establish their own impounding areas, with defined systems for fees and management.

"The city is also exploring incentives to encourage barangay participation," he said, adding that the proposal also calls for stricter monitoring of animal bite centers through permits and inspections due to concerns about questionable vaccines.

Penalties range from a written warning for first offenses to fines of P5,000 for repeated violations, with possible confiscation of animals. Commercial operators may face fines, permit suspension or revocation, and closure for repeated violations.

The enforcement would be handled by the City Veterinarian's Office, the City Health Office, and barangay authorities, with implementing rules to be issued within 60 days of the ordinance's effectiveness.

Abella said the measure is currently under review by the City Legal Office and is intended to improve animal welfare while addressing public health and the growing population of stray animals.

Bantay Hayop Davao is reviewing the proposal after joining a committee hearing. It said advocates and barangay officials have long called for stronger enforcement of animal welfare rules and more responsible pet ownership.

The animal welfare group emphasized the need for humane management of stray animals, urging rescue and rehabilitation instead of euthanasia. It also cited cases of abuse linked to neglectful ownership as a factor in the increase of stray animals.

Data from the CVO revealed that 6,143 cats and dogs were impounded in 2024. Of these, 500 were reclaimed, and about 20 were adopted, while the rest were euthanized due to limited facility capacity.

The city pound has 12 cages that can hold up to 25 dogs each and handles an average of 25 impounded dogs daily. Animals not claimed within three days are euthanized due to space constraints.