Dear PAO,
I have a concern about our pet, Sushi, a cat. My whole family is planning to spend the Undas break in our province, and we want to bring Sushi with us. Can we bring our cat and transport her from Quezon City to Oriental Mindoro via ferry? Are there any requirements or documents needed at the port?
Charmaine
Dear Charmaine,
Regulating the local transport of animals, like cats and dogs, is essential for safeguarding animal health, promoting welfare, ensuring public safety, and maintaining ecological balance. It fosters responsible pet ownership and supports the overall integrity of the animal transport system.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) – Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) – National Veterinary Quarantine Services Division (NVQSD) has the regulatory authority to implement the guidelines for the local transport or shipment of animals, animal products, and by-products as stated in Department of Agriculture (DA) Administrative Order 05, Series of 2019.
Any person or entity whether government or private shall secure a Shipping Permit for the domestic movement (intra-regional, inter-regional and inter-island) of live animals, animal products, and by-products as per DA Administrative Order 5, s. 2019 in accordance with the objectives of Republic Act (RA) 7394, otherwise known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines, and RA 8345, otherwise known as the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997.
According to Section 5 of DA Administrative Order 5, s. 2019, all shipments of live animals within and between Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao must be accompanied by a Veterinary Health Certificate (VHC) and a Shipping Permit.
The specific requirements for the transport of dogs and cats shall follow the provisions of Sec. 5.9.18 of DA Administrative Order 5, s. 2019, which provide that:
“Sec. 5.9.18 Dogs and Cats
“5.9.18.1 Veterinary Health Certificate issued by a Veterinarian. The VHC shall include the Rabies Vaccination details such as: vaccine brand name, batch and lot number, date of administration and date of next vaccination. The VHC shall be accompanied by a rabies vaccination certificate bearing the signature over full printed name of the Veterinarian, PRC number, and a valid PTR number (for private practitioners).
“5.9.18.2 Only animals aged 3 ½-4 months and above shall be allowed for shipment.
“5.9.18.3 The animal shall be vaccinated against rabies not more than one (1) year but not less than fourteen (14) days at the time of shipment. However, for annual booster shots, the dogs may be shipped immediately upon vaccination.”
With regard to Shipping Permit, Sec. 5.6 of the DA Administrative Order No. 5, s. 2019 states that:
“Sec. 5.6 Shipping Permit/Landing Permit
“5.6.1 A Shipping Permit issued by the BAI – National Veterinary Quarantine Services-Central Office/Veterinary Quarantine Stations or online through the http://www.nvqsd.ph/nvqs shall be valid for maximum SEVEN (7) DAYS to start counting the following day after its issuance date, including Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays
“5.6.2 Shipping Permit is free.
5.6.3 The general requirements for a Shipping Permit are:
“5.6.3.1 Veterinary Health Certificate: not more than 3 DAYS, to start counting the following day after its issuance date including Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.
“5.6.3.2 Certificate of BAI – Animal Health and Welfare farm/facility accreditation.”
In the situation you mentioned, you may transport your cat by complying with the abovementioned requirements such as Veterinary Health Certificate and Shipping Permit. You may also check the NVQSD website (https://nvqsd.bai.gov.ph/) for the online application of local shipping permit for the transport of your cat. It is stated in their website that the application should be filed three days in advance of the planned travel and take note of the processing time which is three working days after the receipt of application, excluding Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
We hope that we were able to answer your queries. This advice is based solely on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. Our opinion may vary when other facts are changed or elaborated.
Editor’s note: Dear PAO is a daily column of the Public Attorney’s Office. Questions for Chief Acosta may be sent to [email protected].
