While there is still so much room for improvement for animal rights in our country, Republic Act. No. 8485, also known as the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, has helped rescue animals—from dogs to endangered species—from cruelty and neglect. Here are the top 8 animal rights groups that have been actively advocating the Animal Welfare Act since its inception 14 years ago.

There’s more to the Earth Island Institute than their “Save the Dolphins!” placards. This international environmental group is dedicated to protecting the ocean by promoting safe fishing methods, proper garbage disposal, and regular coastal cleanups. EII encourages people to take part in their advocacy through social media campaigns, awareness projects, and volunteer work.

PSPCA has been around since 1904, back when animal welfare was still considered taboo in the country. Their clinic in Quiapo regularly provides free services such as mass anti-rabies vaccination and educational seminars for responsible pet ownership. They also provide temporary shelter for abandoned or rescued animals.

A group of animal lovers established CARA Welfare Philippines in 2000 to educate Filipinos about responsible pet ownership. Through the years, they’ve promoted low-cost neutering and spaying services for low-income pet owners, free seminars about animal welfare, and established “trap/neuter/return,” a humane method of controlling dog and cat overpopulation. Many cats and dogs from CARA are still looking for permanent homes, so if you’re interested in adopting, click here.

I know a lot of people aren’t happy with some of PETA’s approaches to promoting animal rights, such as dousing fur-wearing celebs with red paint and disrupting private events, but you have to admit they’ve helped shed light on animal cruelty cases of all proportions. As the world’s largest animal rights org, PETA is persistent; these vegetarians have been known to fight for their causes to the ends of the earth. PETA Asia-Pacific’s Manila team has enlisted the help of celebrities and politicians to help promote their causes. They are currently fighting to move Manila Zoo’s solitary 38-year-old elephant, Mali, to a bigger and more equipped sanctuary. Learn more about their causes here.

Established by several animal welfare groups in the country in 2006, AWC is passionate about proper pet care, animal control, and fighting the dog meat trade. AWC is one of the main groups responsible for helping Kabang, the mixed breed dog from Zamboanga who lost her snout while saving the lives of her master’s children. Kabang is now gearing up for a medical trip to the US, where veterinarians will perform reconstructive surgery on her face. To donate to Kabang, click here.

In 2006, AKF opened their rehabilitation and rescue center in Capas, Tarlac to rehabilitate the strays and slaughter-bound dogs that they’ve rescued. AKF has tied up with government groups such as the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to combat the dog meat industry. AKF is currently pushing for House Bill 6094, also known as the Animal Welfare Act of 2012, an amendment of RA 8485. To adopt a dog from their shelter, which is two hours away from Manila, click here.

With their famous panda logo, the World Wildlife Fund is recognized around the world as protectors of Mother Nature and her endangered species. WWF operates in over 100 countries all over the world, including the Philippines, where they have helped save the Philippine eagle from extinction. To donate or volunteer for WWF’s environmental conservation projects, click here.

From getting animal abusers arrested to helping rescue thousands of strays and slaughter-bound dogs, PAWS has been the most active and known animal rights org in the Philippines. It’s one of the non-profit groups that helped bring RA 8485 into law in 1998. PAWS runs an animal shelter in Quezon City called PARC (PAWS Animal Rehabilitation Center), which houses hundreds of dogs and cats rescued from abuse and neglect.

If you’re interested in opening your home to one of PAWS’ beloved rescues, click here.

Since there is room for only 8 in our list, we’d like to give a special shout-out to many other groups that have contributed to the rise of animal rights awareness in the Philippines:

• Palawan Animal Welfare Association (PAWA)
• Strike Animal Welfare Society of Cavite (SAWS)
• Animal Concerns Community of Cebu
• Committee on Animal Welfare (CAW)
• Philippine Animal Lovers Society (PALS)

If there are other animal rights groups in the Philippines that you’d like to promote, feel free to leave their names and contact details in the comments section below.