As cat licensing scheme kicks in, some welfare groups fear a rise in abandonment cases

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In: South-East Asia

RISING COST OF LIVING

Housing and Development Board ( HDB) residents were first permitted to keep cats in their flats for the first time under a new framework when the cat licensing scheme came into effect on Sunday ( Sep 1 ), with the new rules allowing them to do so.

Occupants of HDB may house up to two cats and one dog of a certain type. Up to three cats or dogs, or a combination of the two, are allowed in private apartments. &nbsp,

There is a two-year transition period until Aug 31, 2026, during which existing users may adapt to the new requirements.

The Pet Animal Licensing System ( PALS ) of the Animal and Veterinary Service ( AVS ) is now accessible for licensing. &nbsp,

During the transition period, it will be free, and after that, S$ 35 may be required to purchase a one-time license for a sterilized rabbit. In contrast, a three-year permission for an unsterilised kitten did cost S$ 230.

AVS’s Pet Cat Sterilization Support program, which provides free sterilization and quarantining, can also be used by low-income homes. &nbsp,

But, organizations like LUNI Singapore reported that pet ownership is rising as a result of the rising cost of living, including clinical expenses and pet food. Some users may not be willing to pay the growing expenses of microchipping their pets.

Due to rising fees, the number of fosterers that LUNI works with has dropped from 50 to 60 during the COVID-19 time to about 35 now, said the team’s develop director Neha Sethi.

” The deployment routine is definitely little longer”, she added.

” Before, we may perhaps re-home an adult rabbit in, let’s say, one to two weeks without any problems. It will now be possible for some cases to take between six and eight weeks.

Ms. Neha also made it difficult to look after facilitate animals because people have returned to the office after working from home during the crisis.

” Unfortunately, because there is an increase in abandonment, that does mean that we just do n’t have the capacity to rescue all these cats and kittens, so they will be just more community cats on the streets”, she said.