SPCA and ACRES jointly release milestone White Paper on Strengthening Protections for Animal Welfare
The White Paper is a culmination of multiple dialogue sessions, representing voices of the public and the year-long efforts of a Committee led by former Member of Parliament Louis Ng, comprising animal welfare groups, legal academics, and lawyers.
Caption: Clockwise from left, the White Paper, panel discussion at the SPCA’s VOICE Conference in June 2024, and dialogue session at the Nee Soon Public Forum on Animal Welfare Policies on 14 July 2024. Photos by The Straits Times and Lianhe Zaobao.
Singapore, 26 August 2025 – The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) have released a White Paper on Strengthening Protections for Animal Welfare. It sets out 15 recommendations across four areas of focus (see Annex A).
These recommendations were developed by a committee comprising animal welfare groups, legal academics and lawyers, and led by former Member of Parliament Louis Ng. Their work was informed by an extensive and comprehensive study of the animal welfare landscape, both locally and internationally, and guided by public feedback through various platforms including the SPCA’s VOICE Conference from 20–22 June 2024, a dialogue session with animal welfare groups on 27 June 2024, and the Nee Soon Public Forum on Animal Welfare Policies on 14 July 2024.
The SPCA 2024 Animal Cruelty & Welfare report, recorded another year of increase in cases of animal abuse, the highest measured over a twelve-year period. Of the 961 confirmed cases related to animal abuse, welfare issues and neglect, a total of 2,190 animals experienced harm or death. This has transcended the previous record in Year 2023, where the 915 cases recorded was 79% higher than the 511 cases in Year 2022.
The White Paper provides pertinent recommendations to enhance animal welfare protection in Singapore. Its four key focus areas include improving the understanding for animal welfare, improving legislation and policies for animal welfare, introducing measures to enhance protection for companion animals, and enhancing protection for wildlife in Singapore.
Walter Leong, Executive Director of the SPCA said, “Animal welfare is not just a policy issue, it’s a shared responsibility and a reflection of who we are as a society. The White Paper calls on every segment of our community to help build a more compassionate Singapore, one that cares for its animals, stands firm against animal cruelty and where individuals make choices that uphold animal care and wellbeing. As animal welfare groups and organisations continue their vital work on the ground, protecting and providing for the animals, we also encourage the government to enhance legislation and enforcement to support these efforts.”
Kalai Vanan, CEO of ACRES, said: “As Singapore transitions further into a City in Nature, it is vital that we learn to embrace the animals that call Singapore home. Progress must go hand in hand with compassion, and this responsibility lies with all of us — from government agencies to NGOs, and every member of the community. With the right education, stronger laws, and strict enforcement, I believe we can address animal cruelty more effectively and send a clear, united message: there is no place for animal cruelty in Singapore.”
For media queries, please contact:
Animal Concerns Research and
Education Society (ACRES)
Kalai Vanan S/O Balakrishnan
Chief Executive Officer
[email protected]
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals (SPCA)
Valerie Chan
Communications Manager
[email protected]
Please refer to Annexes B and C on ACRES and the SPCA.
White Paper on Strengthening Protections for Animal Welfare
Jointly submitted by
Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES)
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Singapore
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WHITE PAPER
The White Paper sets out 15 recommendations in four areas: animal welfare education, general animal welfare legislation and policies, companion animal protection, and wildlife protection.
AREA 1: STRENGTHEN ANIMAL WELFARE UNDERSTANDING AMONG THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC |
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AREA 2: GENERAL ANIMAL WELFARE LEGISLATION AND POLICIES |
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AREA 3: COMPANION ANIMAL PROTECTION |
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AREA 4: WILDLIFE PROTECTION |
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Recommendation 15: |
Animal Concerns Research and Education Society|(ACRES)
91 Jalan Lekar, S698917
About ACRES
The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) is a pioneering Singapore-based animal protection charity and Institution of Public Character (IPC) founded in 2001. Our mission is to advocate for an end to animal cruelty and to create a more compassionate world for all beings. We rely on public support to sustain our work, which spans six key areas. With the expansion of the wildlife sanctuary this year, an average of $2 million is needed to fund our operations annually:
- Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation – Operating Singapore’s first dedicated Wildlife Rescue Centre, ACRES rescues, rehabilitates, and releases hundreds of animals every year, including those injured in the wild and victims of the illegal pet trade.
- Tackling wildlife crime – Running the Wildlife Crime Hotline, conducting undercover investigations, and working with authorities to combat the illegal wildlife trade.
- Promoting coexistence with native wildlife – Advising communities on coexistence strategies and leading campaigns such as Our Wild Neighbours to support Singapore’s City in Nature vision.
- Humane education programmes – Reaching over 100,000 people annually through talks, roadshows, and school programmes that promote empathy and respect for animals.
- Community outreach and volunteer engagement – Engaging over 20,000 volunteers and supporters in advocacy, outreach projects, and campaigns.
- Promoting cruelty-free living – Educating consumers on making compassionate choices in food, fashion, and household products.
For more information about ACRES, visit https://acres.org.sg.
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
(SPCA Singapore)
50 Sungei Tengah, S699012
About the SPCA
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is Singapore’s largest and longest-serving animal welfare organisation. We are a non-governmental, registered animal welfare charity with IPC status, relying mainly on donations from our supporters to continue our important role as animal protectors. Approximately $4,000,000 annually is required to run all our services which include:
- 24/7 emergency animal rescues
- Animal cruelty and welfare investigations
- Shelter for sick, injured, abused, abandoned, and unwanted pets and community animals
- Singapore’s only not-for-profit Community Animal Clinic
- Adoption programme (includes Project ADORE) and foster care for animals in need
- Special operations to provide relief to guardians who can no longer care for their pets
- Lost and found services for pets
- Education and outreach programmes
- Advocacy for pertinent animal welfare issues
- Management of the nationwide, government-funded Trap-Neuter-Rehome/Release- Manage (TNRM) programme for dogs
For more information about the SPCA, visit https://spca.org.sg/.