SPCA Singapore - Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Singapore

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Pet Overpopulation and Abandonment

Pets are abandoned every day

In 2011, we took in 7,081 animals– up to 50 per cent were unwanted or abandoned pets. 1,169 were small domestic pets like rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs – often abandoned at void decks.

At any one time, the SPCA can house up to 170 animals. Currently, we accept all animals brought in, and although every effort is made to convince owners to keep their pets and for finders to re-home strays, we still end up with so many.

Under the Animals and Birds Act, a person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable on conviction for a first offence, to a fine not exceeding $15,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 18 months or to both; and (ii)for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding $30,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both.

Education is key to responsible pet ownership, but a multi-pronged approach is necessary to arrest the rampant occurrence of pet abandonment.