Measures to Deter Pet Abandonment

Ms Tin Pei Ling asked the Minister for National Development what are the measures taken to deter pet abandonment and lower the burden of proof in a pet abandonment case so that the irresponsible owner can be taken to task.

Mr Lawrence Wong: Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) has been educating the public on responsible pet ownership to reduce pet abandonment. To prevent impulsive pet buying, AVA has restricted pet retailers from selling pets to individuals below 16 years old since January 2014. Pet retailers are also required to assess the suitability of their customers as pet owners prior to sale of the pet animal.

In addition, AVA raised the dog licensing fees for unsterilised dogs from $70 to $90 in February 2014. This will encourage dog owners to sterilise their pets to prevent non-intentional breeding, which could contribute to abandonment of unwanted puppies.

The Animals and Birds Act was amended in 2014 to enhance animal welfare. To lower the burden of proof, the amendments made the act of abandonment an offence without having to consider whether the animal was suffering or in distress as a result of abandonment. In addition, a person found guilty of pet abandonment may be fined up to $10,000 and/or jailed up to a year for first-time offenders.