Today
Voices
Adopt not foster
I
refer to the letters "Make future pet-owners foster one first" by Ms
Santi Yeo Her Chuen (Nov 23) and "Fostering not the answer" by Mr
Eddy Tanumihardja (Nov 24). We thank the writers for their concern for pet
animals.
Owning
a pet comes with many responsibilities. Pet abandonment often stems from the
lack of knowledge regarding the care and responsibilities that come with owning
a pet. As such, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) has intensified
our public education efforts to raise awareness on responsible pet ownership.
AVA
also encourages people who are thinking of getting a pet to consider adopting a
homeless animal. This could help alleviate the stray problem and would give a
homeless animal a second chance.
While
AVA advocates the adoption of strays, it is not our intention to over-regulate
pet ownership. Providing foster care for homeless pets should be a temporary
arrangement while efforts are made to find the pet a suitable owner and a
permanent home.
As
Mr Tanumihardja rightly pointed out, pets that are passed from one home to
another can become stressed and may not bond well with their owners as they are
repeatedly subjected to different environments and caregivers.
Keeping
a pet is a long-term commitment. AVA advises anyone thinking of getting a pet
to consider very carefully before getting one. Once they acquire the pet, they
must be prepared to care for it for life.
Goh
Shih Yong
Corporate
Communications Manager
For
Chief Executive Officer
Agri-Food
& Veterinary Authority
Ministry
Of National Development