I refer to the previous week’s Talking Point topic,
“Pet Peeves” and agree that society needs to be more tolerant, compassionate
and responsible in ensuring the welfare of pets and community animals. I
disagree that community animals pose a public safety concern as it is our
actions that will either help them or create more issues for them.
Majority of these community animals want to be left
alone and they seek human companionship and love from caregivers that feed and
care for them. It is the sole responsibility of caregivers to maintain proper
hygiene practices when feeding these community animals to set a good example
for others to follow and to maintain public cleanliness.
Also, to maintain a small and manageable population of
community animals, sterilisation is the only option in preventing unwanted
litters and the majority of such animals should be entitled to low cost mass
sterilisation schemes that are funded by the government. This would help in
managing Singapore’s community animal population and to show that sterilisation
is effective and the most humane method available in avoiding over-population
which becomes another issue.
Animal welfare organisations need to continue their
good work of stepping up sterilisation efforts especially in industrial areas
to facilitate sterilisation and re-homing efforts and projects. It is a
societal and community effort in changing people’s mindset and showing an
example for our younger generation to respect and care for the community
animals in our midst by fostering kindness and compassion.
Furthermore, the various ministers that are involved
in animal welfare and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) need to be
the forerunners in creating awareness and educating the public about being
compassionate and tolerant with these animals that are sharing community
places. They need to be advocators and work hand in hand with the animal
welfare organisations as these organisations cannot do it alone. With the
assistance from the many animal welfare organisations in Singapore, more can be
done in nipping residential complaints in the bud and finding an amicable
solution where it is a win-win situation for everyone.
It is important that through such mutual efforts of
the public and pet owners, being responsible and maintaining a working
relationship will allow the Housing Development Board (HDB) to lift their
existing rules in allowing owners to keep animals of larger breeds through a
trial program. Thus, the success of the lifting of such regulations largely
depends on owners and animal welfare organisations to work hand in hand in
making such programs a long-term benefit for shelter animals and that such
programs can be implemented in areas around Singapore as well.
Community animals lead unpredictable lives as they do
not have permanent homes and that they have to fight for survival. It is
essential for society to view this aspect and to just help them or leave them
alone. I urge society to be more open and tolerant in respecting and accepting
these animals.
Mediation and continued dialogue with residents who
might face animal-related issues should be looked into but not at the extent of
affecting the lives of these animals. It is a timely reminder for society to
work together in looking at the problem and not to fight among ourselves. For
society to move forward, change does not occur overnight, it takes continuous
efforts and planning to create a society that accepts community animals and
that common areas can be shared with them. Indeed, everyone has a part to play
in terms of animal welfare so that changes can be implemented for the welfare
of the animals.
By Darren Chan Keng Leong
By Darren Chan Keng Leong
Abstracted from TR Emeritus, The Voice of Singaporeans for Singapore
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