catsreh

Stray Cat Rehabiliation Scheme

INTRODUCTION

AVA started the Stray Cat Rehabilitation Scheme in August 1998 in its continuing efforts to find humane and effective ways to control the stray cat population in HDB estates. This scheme aims to encourage dedicated and committed animal lovers (volunteers) to work with town councils to control the cat population over the long-term through sterilisation and responsible management of the cats. To date there are about 140 areas registered on the scheme involving all the town councils.

RATIONALE FOR THE SCHEME

Cats are elusive and very prolific. Cats that cannot be caught breed quickly, their number increasing exponentially, while those removed are quickly replaced by cats from the other areas. It has been conservatively estimated that a mating pair of cats can produce 324 progeny in about 2 years, i.e. 5 generations.

AVA and SPCA figures show that over the past 10 years or more culling has not produced a significant decrease in the number of cats that have to be destroyed each year (about 13,000) or the number of complaints received (over 4,000 each year). Culling by pest control companies removes cats that are easily caught, leaving the wilder and often more profilic cats to continue to multiply. This method may produce immediate, short-term results but the results are temporary. Culling is also considered inhumane by animal lovers and people sympathetic to the cats.

The Rehabilitation Scheme is based on sound rationale and humane. Cats that are sterilised will not multiply anymore and their behaviour is changed so that they will not cause much inconvenience to the human community. For example, fights that occurred because of the cats' mating behaviour will cease and there will be no more caterwauling. At the same time, the sterilised cats' territorial instincts and continued presence deters other unsterilised cats from settling in the area and helps to keep rats and cockroaches in check. The population will in this way stabilise and diminish with time.

CONDITIONS FOR REGISTRATION ON THE SCHEME

AVA welcomes applications from volunteers. An area is registered only if it has been found to be suitable after the area is inspected and the volunteer interviewed. The criteria to determine suitability are as follows:

     there should be an active, ongoing effort to sterilise the majority (at least 90%) of the cats in the
     area

.    the sterilised cats should be clearly identified (ear-tipping is the preferred method)

.    the cats should be healthy and properly looked after

.    the cats should be properly managed so that the neighbourhood is clean and the cats do not
     cause a nuisance

.    the volunteers should be willing to assist the town touncils in dealing with complaints on cats.

FACTORS THAT WILL AFFECT SUCCESS OF THE SCHEME

The volunteers are important to the success of the scheme. Their concern for the cats and strong desire to end the cats' plight provides assurance that they will make the extra effort to get the cats sterilised and manage them so that they do not cause inconvenience to the community.

However, the success of the scheme also depends on the following:

.    support from the town councils and management committees of the areas

.    support from government authorities

.    acceptance and cooperation of the general public.
     AVA conducted 2 surveys and found that about 80% of the people interviewed were agreeable
     to having stray cats around so long as the cats are sterilised and properly managed. It is hoped
     that people who complain because they are bothered by the cats could learn to be more tolerant
     and give the scheme time to have its desired effect. They could help by being willing to work with
     the volunteers and town councils to resolve the problem that they face, e.g. they could identify the
     exact cats bothering them and what is the problem they are facing cooperation of cat owners.
     People who own cats should get them sterilised to prevent unwanted kittens. Sterilisation is a very
     safe procedure and important for the control of the companion animal population, especially for
     the cats and dogs. We understand that Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS), the supreme Islamic
     authority of Singapore, has no objection to the sterilisation of cats. People should also not
     abandon their cats but find an alternative home for them or surrender them to AVA or SPCA.

.    support from other animal lovers.

CONCLUSION

The scheme has brought volunteers, town council and government officials together to work towards a more humane and effective way to resolve the stray cat situation. It has shown good results in areas where good rapport has been built up between the volunteers and the authorities, and volunteers are able to work closely with the authorities to deal with stray cat matters. We believe that this self-help, community-based type of approach is the answer to resolving the stray cat situation in the long run.

This article was formerly published on the official AVA website, which has been removed after the intensified culling of strays started.