AVA to fix faults in pet quarantine centre

Dog owners had complained about poor roofing and slippery floor
By Liaw Wy-Cin
24 July 2006

DOGS under quarantine will soon have a safer, more comfortable stay at the quarantine facility in Sembawang.

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) is looking into making the floors non-slip, as well as extending the roof of the kennels so rain does not beat in. The centre, which began running only in February and is to be declared open only next year, has already drawn complaints from dog owners about the inadequate roofing and their pets slipping on the floor which gets slick from the rain.

Dr Yap Him Hoo, who heads the AVA's Animal, Meat and Seafood Regulatory Branch and oversees the centre, said in response to queries from The Straits Times recently that talks on improvements are going on.

Details are not available. The 2,600 sq m centre can house 80 dogs and 65 cats.

Businessman Chris Ang, 37, wrote to the AVA with a list of complaints, photographs and a video of a Doberman repeatedly falling onto its side as it struggled to get a grip on the kennel floor, which was wet from the rain.

Mr Ang, whose German Shepherd puppy from the Czech Republic was quarantined there two months ago, was aghast at what he saw there. He said: 'The floor was wet and my dog was drenched. The rain had come in from the side and flooded the floor.' He brought in his own canvas sheet to extend the roof.

The roof over each kennel, which measures 2m by 4.7m, extends about 1m outwards, and although each kennel has a door to keep out the rain, water still enters through the gap below.

Other dog owners, concerned for their animals, have laid non-slip mats on the floor, which is cement and painted with yellow epoxy for easy cleaning and disinfection.

The AVA said that in choosing the flooring material, a balance had to be struck between keeping out germs - for this, smooth flooring can do a better job - and having it rough enough so dogs' paws can get a good grip.

Pet dogs and cats from other countries have to be quarantined for at least a month when they enter Singapore to prevent diseases such as rabies from entering the country. This applies to pets brought in by owners or pet shops or people relocating with their pets here.

Exceptions are made for animals arriving from rabies-free countries like Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Ireland.

Dr Yap said this was the new centre's first year, so there were 'still issues to be resolved'. The centre is also looking to make other improvements to the place not directly affecting the well-being of the animals, such as changing wall material to a more stain-resistant type. He hopes the improvements will be done by the end of this year, in time for the centre's official opening next year.