ANIMAL INFIRMARY (Mobile unit)

Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Animal Infirmary will run a mobile unit to make its services readily available to people who own pets and live far away from the Infirmary; and (b) whether officials from the City Veterinary Centre can regularly visit areas which are affected by resettlement to collect pets abandoned by people who have moved to Housing and Development Board flats.

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Sir, the Animal Infirmary treats about 18,000 pet cases a year. There are no plans to provide a mobile unit, as it will be too costly. Furthermore, a mobile unit will not efficiently utilise professional staff which is in short supply in the Primary Production Department.

Pet treatment services are also offered by licensed private veterinarians. Some of them make house calls to treat pets which cannot be conveniently transported.

The Dog Control Unit regularly visits areas which are affected by development schemes to collect pets abandoned by people who have been resettled. In 1978, the Unit collected 21,000 abandoned dogs and cats. Mobile teams from the Unit will continue to patrol affected areas.