Read this: Stray Cat Sterilisation Project at Bukit Merah View.
Conclusion
Sterilisation and responsible management has the support of up to 96% of the public. The majority of people want cats controlled but do not want them culled. They are happy to know that AVA's present approach to the stray cat situation emphasises humane management and is targeted towards achieving long-term results. Sterilisation and responsible management is humane and helps to promote a kinder and more caring and gracious society. It promotes volunteerism and encourages both animal lovers and the people bothered by cats to be active in a constructive and self-help manner to work with the authorities to deal with the stray cat situation.
Read Singapore ends TNR program amid SARS panic
Read CWS's Annual Report
MESSAGE FROM THE COMMITTEE
2003 was a hard year for cats in Singapore. Due to the termination of the Stray
Cat Rehabilitation Scheme (SCRS, which had been commended both locally and
overseas), many cats were caught and killed. Killing is not the solution. Already,
cat populations in a number of areas have become de-stabilised and have
increased because the sterilised cats that have been removed are no longer
there to defend the territory from newcomers.
The reasoning and principle behind the SCRS were sound, but to be successful it
needed more time, resources and commitment from the authorities and Town
councils who had agreed to implement the Scheme. Unfortunately these were
lacking, and sadly the Scheme was terminated without consultation with the
various animal welfare groups.
We also felt that abandonment of pets should have been taken more seriously by
the authorities because abandoned cats were increasingly contributing to the
rising numbers of street cats.
On the subject of shelters, because of the problem of irresponsible ownership
and abandonment, we feel that the establishment of cat shelters is not a
workable nor practical solution in the long term. This is why the CWS did not take
part in AVA’s call for a bid for land to set up shelters. As the population of cats
continues to increase (especially with the cessation of the Sterilisation Scheme),
there will always be a greater demand for spaces than we can cater to. Shelters
drain resources and finances – the money and volunteers could be used more
efficiently in a well-managed sterilisation programme. This would ultimately be
more effective, humane and cheaper than culling or sheltering. Nevertheless, we
recognise and appreciate the efforts put in by other animal welfare groups to run
such shelters.
The current situation has made the need to address the ruling against the
keeping of cats in Housing Development Board (HDB) flats all the more urgent
and necessary. We feel strongly against this ruling, which we believe is based on
flawed reasoning and fear of change. We will continue to try to have this ruling
amended so that more homes will be available for our street cats. With our
proposed conditions of sterilisation and microchipping, owners of pet cats will be
easily traced and made responsible for their cats, and this would be a deterrent
against abandonment.
From: Hon Mun WONG
Dear ****
I would like to take this opportunity to share with you on how AVA goes about managing the stray animal population in Singapore.
Stray animal population control is a very complex issue which involves many factors and players. As there is no quick solution, AVA adopts a multi-pronged approach in the management of strays.
AVA encourages sterilisation as one of the ways to help prevent the proliferation of strays. However, sterilisation alone is not a sufficient measure to control the stray population. Culling also has to be carried out although it is an unfortunate and thankless activity which we would rather not perform. It is an undeniable fact that stray animals create numerous problems ranging from public nuisance to hygiene concerns and even physical threat to the public. Whilst we encourage the adoption of strays to reduce their population in the environment, it is not possible to find suitable homes for all of them. It is thus inevitable that some of them have to be put down humanely.
AVA had, in 1998, worked with animal welfare groups and Town Councils to establish the Stray Cat Rehabilitation Scheme (SCRS) under which AVA provided free sterilization. This was started as a voluntary scheme which depended on local community support and tolerance towards stray cats. In 2003, the Scheme was discontinued as it did not resolve the problems caused by stray cats such as cat faeces dirtying the environment and pest problems due to food remnants left by feeders. It was also observed that there was no reduction in the number of complaints received on stray cats.
In 2007, AVA in consultation with the Cat Welfare Society agreed on a stray cat sterilisation programme. In any precinct, volunteers wanting to start a sterilisation programme for stray cats would need the concurrence of the Town Council and the community in the respective precincts. The cost of the sterilisation would be subsidised by AVA. To date, AVA has not been approached by any Town Councils or caregivers interested in the programme.
AVA believes that public education is imperative in raising the standards of responsible pet ownership and reducing the problem of strays. To this end, AVA has been actively promoting animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. While we do not expect instant results, we are confident that with perseverance, there will be an improvement to the stray animal problem in the long term.
Best regards
Dr Wong Hon Mun | Deputy Director | Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority
Tel +65 63257837 | Fax +65 62206068 | Website www.ava.gov.sg
