Human sterilisation of strays is best approach

Human sterilisation of strays is best approach

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) affirms the national effort to reduce the number of stray cats by sterilising/neutering them humanely ("Islandwide plan to sterilise stray cats"; yesterday). This is certainly justified and timely, considering the still sizeable number of stray (or more aptly termed as "community") cats on the streets.

Ultimately, it is sterilisation that offers the most effective and humane means of keeping the community animal population in check.

On this note, we assure readers and donors that our existing voucher programme will go on, as it has for the last 23 years.

Since 1991, we have distributed more than 30,000 free sterilisation vouchers to the public, making it possible for community animals to be sterilised at participating veterinary clinics islandwide. The cost is borne by the SPCA. Currently, a monthly budget exceeding S$5,500 is set aside specifically for this.

This scheme is expressly for the sterilisation of community animals. We are unable to provide treatment/surgery for companion, or pet, animals with this focus in mind, and encourage pet owners to take their pets to private clinics for the necessary sterilisation.

More information on this scheme can be found at www.spca.org.sg/services_sterilisation.asp

In keeping with the principles of responsible pet ownership, we strongly urge all pet owners, too, to help curtail the growth of Singapore's unwanted animal population. They can also take heart in their sterilised pets being typically healthier and less prone to illnesses.

The humane sterilisation of our community animals would certainly go a long way towards creating a more harmonious living environment for all of us, and SPCA Singapore welcomes the return of this much-needed programme on a national scale.

We also applaud the programme implementation by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority and the Cat Welfare Society, and would be happy to render any other form of support in any way we can.

-Corinne Fong (Ms)
Executive Director
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Singapore


This article was first published on JULY 8, 2014.
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