The Straits Times
STForum
Aug 6, 2009
Make it illegal to sell pets to minors
I REFER to last Friday's Forum Online letter, 'Cruel of owner to abandon defenceless puppy', and thank Ms Miriam Jayasuriya for highlighting this issue of pet abandonment.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) takes in around 80 lost dogs a month, some of which could have been abandoned by their owners. It is indeed sad that these animals are left to fend for themselves if not picked up by kind souls.
As part of our education efforts, SPCA's education team visits schools regularly to share important animal welfare messages with students. The talks are aimed at teaching a sense of respect for animals, and impressing the importance of responsible pet ownership. Other efforts include education visits for the young to our premises. These visits involve spending time with our furry companions while learning about their past, how to empathise with them and about animal welfare in general.
SPCA supports Ms Jayasuriya's suggestion that more needs to be done, other than education. We have proposed that the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority make it a condition (not just a guideline for best practices) that pet shops not sell animals to a young person unless accompanied by a parent. This will be a stepping stone to addressing the rampant problem of pets being bought on impulse. This is especially so now, as we are seeing an increasing number of small animals (which are usually less expensive to buy) given up or abandoned; June saw an all-time high of 124, mainly rabbits and hamsters.
At present, all dogs must be microchipped, registered and licensed by law. SPCA advocates that microchipping be extended to other pets as well (cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, for example), so owners can be more easily traced if the pet is lost or abandoned. The cruel act of abandoning a pet is a crime in Singapore - those found guilty can be fined up to $10,000 and jailed up to one year, or both. However, to catch perpetrators so this law can be enforced, witnesses must lodge a police report and be willing to testify in court.
SPCA would like to remind all pet owners and potential owners that a pet is for a lifetime of commitment.
Deirdre Moss (Ms)
Executive Officer
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
