This is an old thread which I finally caught up with and I can't help but reply because of the ridiculous comments I'm reading.
Ministry of National Development put out a press release on 11 Jul 2011, about "
formation of an inter-agency task force to review current pet ownership and stray animal management policies, in order to create a conducive shared living environment for everyone."
http://app.mnd.gov.sg/Newsroom/NewsPage.aspx?ID=2811&category=Press%20Release&year=2011&RA1=&RA2=&RA3=Creating our common space: Review of Pet Ownership and Stray Management Policies
11 Jul 2011 02:00 PM
1. The Ministry of National Development (MND) today revealed plans to form an inter-agency task force to review current pet ownership and stray animal management policies.
2. The review comes at a time of growing public awareness and concern for animals. It seeks to engage different stakeholders in the community to develop feasible solutions and approaches to address and manage animal-related concerns. The review’s ultimate objective is to create a conducive shared living environment for everyone.
Review of Pet Ownership and Stray Management Policies
3. The inter-agency taskforce comprises senior officials from MND, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA), and the Housing & Development Board (HDB). The four-month review, starting in July/August 2011, will focus on the key concerns and issues related to dogs and cats. It will include a public engagement effort to collect feedback and suggestions from the relevant stakeholders (e.g. residents, Town Councils and animal welfare groups).
4. As part of this review, AVA will pilot a Stray Cat Sterilisation Programme (SCSP) as an alternative means of managing stray cats (Please refer to Annex for more details on the scheme.). This project is a joint collaboration between the AVA, the participating Town Councils, and the Cat Welfare Society (CWS). It will be carried out in specific zones of Sembawang-Nee Soon, Tampines, Ang Mo Kio, and Marine Parade GRCs from this month.
5. The respective Town Councils, AVA and CWS will work together to ensure that community cats are sterilised and properly managed by appointed caregivers. AVA will subsidise 50 percent of the cost of sterilisation and microchipping. Town Councils, AVA and CWS will also work together with the residents on the various concerns and issues, including cleanliness issues.
6. “We acknowledge that people have different views and preferences to animals. However, as animals are part of our overall living environment, we will need to find ways for the authorities, residents and stakeholders to forge partnerships and find workable solutions to address the issues and concerns,” said BG(NS) Tan Chuan-Jin.
New site identified for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals
7. Separately, MND and AVA have worked with the relevant Government agencies to identify and secure a 0.8 ha site in Sungei Tengah for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (SPCA) to relocate to. SPCA’s current lease at Mt Vernon will expire in October 2012. It will be extended for 2 years to facilitate the move. The new site is about double the size of SPCA’s current site at Mt Vernon.
8. This move is in recognition of SPCA’s contributions and support to AVA’s mission in safeguarding the welfare of animals and in stray animal management. The relocation to a larger site will allow SPCA to continue its good work.
Issued by: Ministry of National Development
Date: 11 Jul 2011
Annex
STRAY CAT STERILISATION PROGRAMME
1. AVA is partnering the Cat Welfare Society (CWS) to pilot the Stray Cat Sterilisation Programme as a way to manage the stray population. Under the Programme, AVA will subsidise 50 percent of sterilisation costs (up to $30 for male cats and $60 for female cats) and $20 to microchip the cats.
2. AVA and CWS will work with town councils on this programme. For a start, it will be piloted in specific zones under Sembawang-Nee Soon, Ang Mo Kio, Tampines and Marine Parade Town Councils. The stray cats from these areas will be sent to three participating veterinary centres for sterilisation and microchipping. The veterinary centres are AMK Veterinary Surgery, Acacia Veterinary Clinic, and Light of Life Veterinary Clinic and Services.
3 AVA and CWS will monitor the progress of the programme in the four areas; taking into consideration the availability of resources required; before deciding on the extension of the programme to other areas.
4. AVA and CWS would need the support of the community for the programme to succeed. Whilst providing a more humane way of managing the stray population, it will benefit the community through a better living environment for all.
