AVA to take action against 15 bird shops

SINGAPORE - 15 pet bird shops here have been found to be non-compliant with some of Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA)'s licensing conditions. 

AVA said it conducted unannounced inspections at 27 pet bird shops in September and October. 

13 pet bird shops failed to house birds in good condition. Dried faecal matter was found in the cages of these shops, which is indicative that the cages have not been cleaned for a long time.

AVA's inspections follows a report by the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres), suggesting that some bird shops in Singapore breach conditions governing the welfare of the animals.

According to ACRES, 13 pet bird shops had displayed sick birds. AVA said that it will issue fines to 4 of these shops and has instructed the licensees to isolate the sick birds and send them for veterinary treatment.

ACRES also identified 655 online listings selling birds, of which 273 listings are related to birds protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

AVA is looking into these listings. 

maryanns@sph.com.sg