BAI Permit for Pet Businesses in the Philippines: Registration Guide for Pet Shops, Groomers, Boarding and Vet Clinics (2026)

Pet businesses in the Philippines must register with the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI). This covers pet shops, kennels, catteries, groomers, boarding facilities and vet clinics. The rule comes from the Animal Welfare Act (RA 8485, as amended by RA 10631). Cities and towns also check your BAI certificate before they issue a mayor's permit.

A 2016 DILG circular told local governments to check this first. DILG repeated the rule in a 2024 circular. So BAI comes before your mayor's permit.

This guide shows who must register and what to submit. It also shows what it costs and how BAI fits with your other permits.

Looking at other markets? ? We have a Malaysia licence guide too.

Which Pet Businesses Need BAI Registration?

BAI sorts pet businesses into set categories. Find yours below.

Do you offer more than one service? Register for each category. Pay the fee for each one. A salon that also boards pets pays both fees.

Step-by-Step: Registering a Pet Business in the Philippines

Order matters here. BAI registration comes before the mayor's permit. Your city will ask to see it.

1. Register your business name
2. 1. Sole owners go to DTI
   2. Companies go to SEC
   3. Cooperatives go to CDA
   4. BAI asks for this proof.
3. Attend an animal welfare seminar
4. Gather your documents
5. Apply to BAI or your DA regional office
6. Pass the facility inspection
7. Pay the registration fee
8. Collect your certificate
9. Apply for your mayor's permit
10. 1. Your city or town hall sets its own steps. Ask the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO).
11. Register with BIR

Documents for the First BAI Application

This list comes from the DA Regional Field Office III. Your office may ask for more.

• Application form with a 1x1 photo
• Proof of business registration (DTI, SEC or CDA)
• Valid ID of the owner, manager or veterinarian
• Veterinarian's PRC ID
• Veterinarian's professional tax receipt
• Signed contract or appointment order for the veterinarian
• Notarized lease contract for your space
• Location map or sketch
• Animal welfare seminar certificate
• DENR Certificate of Non-Coverage or Environmental Clearance Certificate
• Photos of your facility and equipment

Vet clinics may also need a PDEA S2 license. On renewal, add a copy of your mayor's permit.

BAI's rules also ask you to sign an affidavit. You promise to display your certificate. You also promise to tell BAI about changes, like a new location or a new veterinarian.

The Animal Welfare Seminar Requirement

BAI asks for a seminar certificate. The owner or manager attends. So does the facility veterinarian. You submit the certificate with your application. BAI, DA regional offices and groups BAI accredits run these seminars. [Add booking link from a BAI or DA regional office page]

BAI Registration Fees and Validity

BAI charges by category. Your first certificate lasts one year. Each renewal lasts three years.

Apply for renewal at least one month before expiry. Late renewals pay a 50% surcharge. Fees are not refundable. They are separate from your mayor's permit fees. The BAI Citizen's Charter 2024 lists the same validity periods.

Where to Apply: BAI Central Office or DA Regional Field Office

You have two routes. You can apply online through the BAI E-Services Portal. It lists Animal Facility Registration. Or you can apply at your DA Regional Field Office. Regional offices inspect your site. Then they send your papers to BAI.

Some regional offices give a temporary certificate first. DA Region III issues one valid for three months. BAI then processes your License to Operate. BAI processing takes about one to two weeks.

Renewal, Inspection and Revocation

These rules come from BAI Admin Circular 04, s. 2015. BAI checks that you still meet the rules at renewal. It can inspect your site. It can suspend or revoke your registration for three reasons:

• You gave false information in your application.
• You did not fix problems BAI found.
• You did not keep up-to-date records.

A revoked business cannot reapply for three years. So keep your records tidy.

Notes by Business Type

Pet Shops

BAI defines a pet shop as an establishment that sells pet animals. Sales can be wholesale or retail. BAI also asks for care handouts with every animal sold. Give pet parents a clear care sheet at each sale.

Grooming Salons

BAI defines a grooming facility by its work. It covers hygiene and cosmetic care for dogs, cats and other pets. Services include bathing, trimming and styling. Grooming facilities pay the P300 and P900 fees.

Pet Hotels, Boarding and Daycare

BAI calls these Animal Boarding and Recreation Facilities. They house and care for animals for a short time. This usually happens for a fee while pet parents are away. BAI looks at your space and ventilation. It also checks for a place to separate new or sick animals.

Veterinary Clinics

BAI lists three veterinary clinic types. They are non-surgical, surgical and mobile. A licensed veterinarian must manage the cases. That vet must be registered with the PRC. Clinics also need lab equipment or access to a lab.

Penalties for Operating Without Registration

BAI's registration rules say violations are punished under RA 8485, as amended. RA 10631 sets the penalty scale. Jail runs from six months to three years. Fines go up to P250,000. The exact penalty depends on the offence. RA 10631 also says these penalties apply to other violations of the Act. If a company breaks the law, the responsible officer serves the jail time. A court decides each case.

BAI can also suspend or revoke your registration. Expired certificates pay a 50% surcharge.

Records to Keep Once You Are Registered

BAI wants a clear record system. Its rules ask for a way to identify each animal. Missing records can also lead to revocation.

Happy Pet Tech is pet business software in the Philippines that helps you keep these records in one place:

• Pet records for every pet
• Check-in and check-out
• Staff roles

Software does not replace BAI registration. It keeps your records tidy for inspection day.

Want to see it in action? Book a free demo today

BAI Registration Checklist

• Register the business (DTI or SEC)
• Attend the animal welfare seminar
• Submit the BAI application with facility documents
• Pass inspection and get the Certificate of Registration
• Get the mayor's permit
• Register with BIR
• Diary the BAI renewal date

FAQ

Do I need a BAI permit for a grooming salon?

Yes. Grooming facilities are a listed BAI category. BAI defines them as places for the hygiene and cosmetic care of pets. You pay P300 for the first year. You also submit business papers and a facility veterinarian's documents. Check with your regional office for current requirements.

How much does BAI registration cost?

It costs P300 or P500 for the first year. Pet shops, kennels and catteries pay P500. Groomers, boarding facilities and vet clinics pay P300. Renewal covers three years and costs P900 or P1,500. These fees go to BAI. They are separate from your mayor's permit fees.

How long is a BAI Certificate of Registration valid?

The first certificate lasts one year. Each renewal lasts three years. Apply for renewal at least one month before it expires. Late renewals pay a 50% surcharge. BAI checks that you still meet the rules before it renews.

Can I get a mayor's permit without BAI registration?

No. A DILG circular tells local governments to check BAI registration first. This applies when they issue or renew a business permit. DA offices say the same. Ask your city's Business Permit and Licensing Office for its exact steps.

Is the animal welfare seminar required for BAI registration?

Yes. BAI asks for a certificate of attendance from an animal welfare seminar. The owner or manager attends. So does the facility veterinarian. You submit the certificate with your application. Ask BAI or your DA regional office for the next seminar date.