Celebrating World Animal Day with AUSL Paw and Order
Last October 4, AUSL Paw and Order, the animal welfare student group of the Arellano University School of Law, celebrated World Animal Day. The event was more than a commemoration, it also was a good reminder to the law student community that the law has a real role to play in protecting animals and advancing their welfare.
The celebration also marked the turnover of the organization's officers to a new set of leaders, only the group's second year. CARA Welfare Philippines was proud to be among the partner organizations invited to speak. CARA gave the student body a glimpse into the everyday work of an animal welfare group and, just as importantly, how future lawyers can lend their skills to the cause.
The lineup included lawyers and faculty members who are both devoted pet lovers and well versed in the laws that govern animal welfare. Alongside them, CARA volunteer Ms. Rosana Evangelista led a segment on Community Neutering, Vaccination, and Return (CNVR), a humane, community-based approach to managing cat and dog populations while putting the animals' welfare first.
The importance of community-based approaches in animal welfare laws
Laws set the standard, but communities make them work. The Philippines has a strong legal foundation for animal protection, including the Animal Welfare Act (Republic Act No. 8485, as amended by RA 10631) and the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 (RA 9482). These laws prohibit cruelty, promote responsible pet ownership, and place rabies control squarely on the agenda of local governments.
Yet no law can reach every alley, campus, or barangay on its own. Community cats and dogs live where people live, and their welfare depends on the people around them. That is why humane, community-based programs like CNVR matter. They turn the goals of the law into everyday practice, carried out by neighbors, students, caretakers, veterinarians, and local government units working together.
During her segment, Ms. Rosana focused on why CNVR is a win for everyone. Neutered animals stop adding to the population. Vaccinated animals help protect the whole community from rabies. Animals that are returned to familiar territory stay healthier and calmer, and they keep new, unvaccinated animals from moving in. Instead of the cycle of removal and replacement, communities get a stable, healthier animal population and safer surroundings.
She also raised a point that sparked the most questions of the day: caring for animals is good for people too. Being part of an animal welfare community supports physical and mental wellness, offering purpose, connection, and a welcome break from the pressures of law school. Several of the lawyers and faculty present agreed that this could be a real advantage for students, and an argument worth making as the organization grows.
For future lawyers, the lesson is clear. Understanding animal welfare law means understanding the communities where it is applied. The most effective advocates will be those who can speak to both.
Event Highlights from AUSL
Connect with CARA
Is your school, office, or community ready to start caring for its animals? Whether you want to set up a CNVR program, invite CARA to speak at your next event, or build an animal welfare group of your own, we would love to hear from you.
Let's build kinder, safer communities for people and animals alike.
