I REFER to the report, 'Nuisance stray cats will be caught, put down' (ST, Oct 9).

What stunned me about the report was that the Agrifood and Veterinary Authority (AVA) is encouraging cat owners who cannot take care of their pets to have them put down, saying that that is being 'responsible'.

The most responsible thing these cat owners could have done is to have considered carefully whether or not they had the ability to take care of the cats in the first place.

And even if, due to whatever circumstances, they are now unable to do so, the next responsible thing for them to do would be to find another home for their cats. I am sure the various animal-welfare organisations would be happy to help with that.

But, no, AVA tells us the responsible thing to do is to just have the cats put down.

What kind of morals would we be teaching our children, if parents took AVA's advice to heart? 'Let's buy that cute little kitty; if we can't handle it, we can just have it killed. It's only being responsible.'

True, it may reduce cat abandonment, but it would also foster a cavalier attitude towards animal life. Far from teaching responsible pet ownership, AVA is simply teaching effective pet disposal. It would be sad, indeed, if we cannot tell the difference.

SNG SWEE KEAT

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