The Straits Times
STForum Online
July 29, 2009
Animal welfare: Focus on sterilisation and education
I REFER to Saturday's Forum Online letter by Mr Tan Tuan Khoon, "Sterilisation not good enough - which is why culling is required".
Culling keeps the population of strays down but it cannot be a long-term solution. What society needs is education. The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) has been running a responsible pet ownership programme, but more needs to be done.
If we do not raise awareness on sterilisation or re-homing and adoption over buying, the number of strays and abandoned animals will continue to rise and so will the number of animals that have to be culled.
A combined approach is good. Focus on sterilisation programmes, but at the same time educate the public about responsible pet ownership.
The laws in Singapore need to be more supportive of animal welfare work.
The HDB and AVA have not responded to repeated calls to allow cats and old, docile dogs to be kept in flats.
Pet shop owners, unlike those in other countries, are not required to ensure that the potential pet owner is aware of the responsibility and commitment that go into the purchase of an animal companion. Only the sale of the animal and the bottom line matter.
There are no laws governing or policing puppy mills and the welfare and condition of pet farms in Singapore.
More resources are spent on culling exercises than on sterilisation programmes. The sterilisation of strays continues to be paid out of the pockets of animal lovers. Sterilisation programmes currently receive no assistance from the authorities in charge.
Responsible pet ownership begins with respect for every living thing. If we are willing to work together and channel resources to sterilisation programmes, I believe we will one day no longer need to kill young and healthy animals which simply need to be re-homed and re-adopted.
Fiona Foo (Ms)
