Islandwide Sterilization Programme (ISP)

In November 2005, we came up with a survey on Islandwide Sterilisation Programme.

ISLANDWIDE STERILIZATION PROGRAMME (ISP)

A Straits Times article, “Animal Instincts” (Jan 9, 2005), reported that there are an estimated 20,000 stray dogs and 60,000 stray cats roaming our streets currently.

Last year, a total of 4,050 dogs and 6,131 cats were impounded and culled by the AVA, while 2,119 dogs and 5,271 cats were put to sleep by SPCA. Each month SPCA receives more than 1,000 stray or abandoned dogs, cats and other small animals, of which only 85 or so are adopted.

The authorities with the responsibility to control the stray population on our island have, at times, resorted to means far less than humane - means like culling (rounding up and killing of strays), which has proven ineffective in many countries in stray population control. It has scarcely made a dent in the number of strays for the past few decades, leaving un-captured and un-sterilized dogs and cats to add on to the stray population with uncontrolled births.

This survey focuses on stray dogs. It is an initiative towards seeking governmental and public support for an “Islandwide Sterilization Programme” (ISP) as a long-term, viable and humane plan to control the unceasingly constant, if not growing, number of stray dogs in Singapore. Your answers and advice will be most valuable in our efforts towards this goal.

Survey questions for: (A) All Surveyees, (B) Dog Welfare Group Volunteer, (C) Stray Feeder, (D) Vet

(A) All Surveyees

A1. What do you think of the government’s efforts/methods in controlling stray populations?
A2. Do you think culling (rounding up and killing of strays) is an effective method to reduce stray numbers? What are its advantages and disadvantages?
A3. Do you think sterilization (an operation to stop the animal’s ability to reproduce) is a more effective method in stray population control? What are its advantages and disadvantages?
A4. What is your idea of humane approach to stray population control?
A5. How effective do you think are animal shelters/kennels?
A6. What are the areas our animal shelters/kennels can improve on?
A7. What do you think of euthanasia? (putting animals to sleep)
A8. Do you support a no-kill policy? If yes, how can we support the growing number of stray dogs and cats under the care of animal shelters/kennels? If no, why?
A9. Do you think there are too many pet shops (selling pets) in Singapore?
A10. Do you think it is too easy to purchase a pet in Singapore? What regulatory measures do you think AVA should impose on pet shops selling pets?
A11. Have you personally witnessed any act of dog abandonment? How many cases in the past years?
A12. Have you heard or know of anyone abandoning their pet? How many cases in the past years?
A13. What do you think of the HDB ruling on the types of dogs allowed in HDB flats? Would you support a petition to allow local breeds in HDB flats? (Current rules stipulate a dog should not exceed 40cm in height and 10kg in weight. Most local breeds are not more than 50cm in height and 16kg in weight.)
A14. Which country has the most humane and effective stray population control system that Singapore can emulate? And how does the system work?
A15. What other advice would you have in helping to control the stray population?

(B) Dog Welfare Group Volunteer: please answer the following, in addition to A1-A15:

B1. How effective is microchipping? Will AVA/SPCA scan for microchip when they find a lost dog?
B2. How effective is tipping the ears of sterilized strays? (Cats with tipped ears are still trapped by AVA)
B3. What does your volunteer work entail? (Kennel rounds/Fostering/Rehoming etc)
B4. What are your expenses per month and what is it spent on?

(C) Stray Feeder: please answer the following, in addition to A1-A15:

C1. How effective is microchipping? Will AVA/SPCA scan for microchip when they find a lost dog?
C2. How effective is tipping the ears of sterilized strays? (Cats with tipped ears are still trapped by AVA, what is the use?)
C3. Which are the areas you are covering?
C4. How long have you been feeding these areas?
C5. How many stray dogs do you feed at each area?
C6. Is stray population the same or increasing? (please elaborate on the trend)
C7. How many litters are born and how many puppies per litter? (average number on yearly basis)
C8. How many dogs have you been able to rehome? (average number on yearly basis)C9. How many dogs have you managed to sterilize? How many females and males?
C9. Do you work closely with the AVA/SPCA/dog welfare societies in your feeding and sterilization? In what ways have they supported you?
C10. How much time do you spend each day in this field?
C11. What are your expenses per month?
C12. Have you ever received complaints from authorities or residents about your voluntary work?
C13. Do you have a full-time profession?
C14. Do you belong to any animal society (please state the society), or do you work independently?
C15. What breed of dogs are abandoned or have adapted to stray life? (mostly mongrels or a significant number of pure breeds?)

(D) Vet: please answer the following, in addition to A1-A15:

D1. How effective is microchipping? Will AVA/SPCA scan for microchip when they find a lost dog?
D2. How effective is tipping the ears of sterilized strays? (Cats with tipped ears are still trapped by AVA)
D3. Are you willing to collaborate with the government and animal welfare societies in the proposed Islandwide Sterilization Programme?
D4. Will you be able to provide free sterilization and medical attention to stray dogs, or will it be subsidized? If subsidized, how much is the subsidy?
D5. How many free/subsidized sterilization packages will you be able to offer? (on monthly basis)

Through SKC dogshows, AVA Responsible Pet Ownership roadshow and emails, we received a total of 151 responses with 87% agreeing that sterilisation is the more effective method of stray population control, as opposed to culling. 74% is against culling.

Education is one of the most powerful tools to teach our young about respecting all life forms.