Proposed New Measures for Managing the Pet and Stray Dog Populations in Singapore

* This is not new - something they came up earlier this year.

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) is seeking public feedback on proposed new measures for managing the pet and stray dog populations in Singapore. These measures serve to promote responsible pet ownership through improved traceablility of dogs, encourage owners to sterilise their pets to prevent unwanted breeding and would also help deter people from abandoning their pets.

The AVA is interested to hear the views and comments of dog owners, pet shop and dog farm licensees, animal welfare groups, veterinarians and the public on the proposed new measures for managing the pet and stray dog populations in Singapore.

Your feedback is valuable. Please share your views with us. Your comments should reach AVA no later than 12.00 noon, 22 Feb 2006. Comments received may be made available to the public unless confidentiality is expressly requested.

The proposals are:-

Proposal 1 – Implement mandatory microchipping for all new dogs licensed.
This is proposed for identification purposes. The microchip is a more reliable method for identifying dogs and tracing them than conventional methods such as tags and tattoos. A microchip contains no batteries or chemicals and has an active life of up to 25 years. It cannot get lost like tag, does not fade and is not easily removed. Currently, only imported dogs are microchipped. The AVA proposes to microchip all newly licensed dogs so that both imported and locally bred dogs are microchipped. This move would encourage responsible pet ownership, deter abandonment and help reduce strays.
(*NOTE: this still leaves a loop hole for dogs bred on breeding farms/backyard but NOT licenced)

Proposal 2 – Increase the maximum composition of keeping an unlicensed dog.
Currently, the maximum composition amount is $50. This provides little deterrence against owners not taking up a licence for their dog. The AVA proposes to increase the maximum composition from $50 to $1,000.

Proposal 3 – Implement group licences for farms with breeding dogs.
Currently, all breeding dogs on dog farms are not licensed. Farm operators take up a farm licence only. AVA proposes to license all farm dogs for better traceability and accountability of dogs on these farms. AVA intends to introduce group licence fees for breeding dogs, rather than license them individually at $70/yr for unsterilised dogs. The group licence fee structure is as follows for farms with: More than 300 dogs: $3,500/yr. 100-300 dogs: $1,700/yr Less than 100 dogs: $650/yr

Proposal 4 – Offer a discounted flat rate licence fee for dogs licensed at 5 months and below. From past records, AVA has found that owners prefer to first have their dogs sterilised before applying for a licence at a lower rate. As dogs are generally sterilised from the age of 6 months and above, AVA proposes to charge a flat rate of $14/yr for dogs licensed at 5 months of age or below. This proposal encourages early licensing of dogs and complements the next proposal that requires dogs to be licensed at the point of sale.However at time of licence renewal, the owner would have to produce a sterilisation certificate for the dog in order to continue enjoying this lower rate of $14/yr.

Proposal 5 – Require licensing of dogs at point of sale. Currently, dogs at pet shops and breeding farms are not licensed when sold. Surveys show that 70% puppies sold are not licensed even 2 months after purchase. To address this weakness, AVA proposes that the licensee of the pet shop or dog breeding farm be responsible for the licensing of the dog for the new owner. The licence fee will be borne by the new owner.

Proposal 6 – Require dog breeding farms to take up pet shop licences.
Under the Animals and Birds Act, all premises selling pets need to be licensed. Currently, dog farms take up a farm licence which does not regulate the sale of pets. There is therefore inconsistent practice standards between pups sold at pet shops and those sold at farms. It is necessary for dog farms which also sell pups to take up a separate pet shop licence so that the standards for the commercial sale of pets can be harmonised. This includes requiring puppies to be vaccinated twice, the last vaccination given at least 2 weeks before the sale and submitting monthly returns on the sale of dogs and particulars of the respective owners. This will further help tighten the dog licensing system and enhance traceability.

Proposal 7 – Increase dog licence for unsterilised male dogs.
Currently, the fee for sterilised females is at a reduced rate of $14/yr whilst that for unsterilsed female dogs is at $70/yr. This differential fee is to encourage owners to sterilise their female dogs to prevent unwanted litters. In order to better control the problem of unwanted litters and pet abandonment, the AVA proposes that both male and female be treated equally. ie to apply differential fees on entire and sterilised male dogs. This would also be more equitable to dog owners.

Proposal 8 – Issue directives to occupiers of premises to remove stray dogs.
This last proposal is to empower AVA to issue directives, if necessary, to occupiers of premises to facilitate the removal of stray dogs from their premises. The directives would be issued only when occupiers demonstrate a lack of willingness to cooperate with AVA. The intent of the directive is to make the occupier co-share the problem of stray dog control in their premises.