Education key to solving problem of strays

I REFER to the letter, 'Adopt a pet this Christmas' (The Sunday Times, Nov 28). We thank the writer for his concern for stray animals.

Singapore adopts a multi-prong approach to the management of strays. This includes culling and public education. Our approach is not unlike that adopted by countries such as Australia, Britain and the United States.

Culling is an unfortunate and thankless task that we would rather not perform. However, given that stray animals can create a public nuisance and environmental health problems, we have no choice but to put strays down.

Pet abandonment contributes to the problem of strays. In turn, pet abandonment often stems from a lack of knowledge regarding the care and responsibilities that come with owning a pet.

This being so, limiting the number of pet shops and curbing breeding do not necessarily make pet owners more responsible.

The Agri-food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) believes that education is the key to arresting the pet-abandonment and stray-animal problem in the long term.

AVA, together with local animal-welfare groups, has been intensifying its efforts to promote greater awareness about the responsibilities that come with owning a pet.

We agree with the writer that public education will not solve the stray problem overnight. However, we need to start somewhere.

We are optimistic that with perseverance and the combined efforts of AVA and the animal-welfare groups, we will see a reduction in the number of strays.

Elaine Pong (Ms)
Senior Corporate
Communications Executive for Chief Executive Officer
Agri-food & Veterinary Authority
Ministry of National Development