Objective
The objective of the advocacy project is to set up a publicity booth to raise awareness of unethical behaviour towards animals through our poster and infographic, as well as our activities, so that the animals can benefit and hence achieve a longer life expectancy and save those who are endangered.
We will be focusing on the abandonment of animals in Singapore.
The issue
We feel that there are a few unethical lifestyles Singaporeans adopt when it comes to animals and we feel the need to raise this issue after seeing how the Bruneians interact with animals. When humans spread unwanted behaviour that harms animals unknowingly, Mother Nature is affected.
Owners neglect the animals and does show them the affection they need. 90% of our survey respondents stated that they would buy a pet based on their "cuteness". A lot of people do not know the heavy responsibility that comes with the pets. This results in stakeholders abusing them. According to www.rescueink.org, 70% of animal abusers also have records of other crimes – often violent crimes.
the context
As more and more people abandon animals, the number of the abandoned animals will go up and this will lead to more resources being spent on them.
There can be no doubt that the free trade policy together with the increase in the number of pet shops and pet farms encourages buying on impulse. Many pets are purchased without any consideration of the responsibilities involved. Pets acquired on impulse, are treated as possessions, many are abandoned later, when the novelty wears off. After this, animal shelters are left to deal with the surplus.
Moreover, over 80% of Singaporeans live in HDB flats, in which animals are not allowed. Some people also abandon their pets after knowing that they are not allowed in their homes. This also would affect rehoming of abused animals as the people in the adopter’s pool would be lowered. According to SPCA, in July 2011, it was announced that an inter-agency task force would be set up to review the current policies on owning pets in HDB flats, as well as community animal management in Singapore. In November 2011, the authorities announced a 12 month pilot project on ownership of cross-breed dogs in HDB flats to begin in early 2012.
The SPCA and Animal Shelter Companies: Animal Lovers League Singapore are potential allies because we have similar goals to strive for. They may support us financially as well as further circulate our social methods of raising awareness due to their popularity being widespread.
our goal
We want to change the public mindsets’ on pet care in a positive way and decrease the number of animal abandonment cases through our continuous efforts to imply values of compassion and responsibility towards pets to the public.
We want to influence all pet owners on how and why to take good care of pets. To do so, we will be making a website and a infographic.
The criteria to indicate a successful advocacy is if the audience fully understands the concept of animal cruelty and pet owners take the responsibility to show care to them.
Research
Types of Abuse (Source: SPCA)
- Small domestic animals housed in cages with wired flooring, fed inadequate diets and/or left in a corridor without human company for most of the day
- Cats and dogs caged or tied up for long periods and/or in dirty conditions. Owners often say they have no time to clean the cages or are seldom home. The novelty of having a pet has obviously worn off. Veterinary care is not even considered by some
- Media reports (The Straits Times, 27 August 2011) referred to one breeder alone having 500 breeding dogs
- 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
Abuse Case Statistics (Source: SPCA)
- We receive an average of 80 to 90 reports of alleged cruelty to animals every month. As we do not have enforcement powers under the Animals & Birds Act, serious cases that warrant further action are referred to the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) or the police
- www.hdb.gov.sg/cs/infoweb/about-us/our-role/public-housing--a-singapore-icon
Response (Source: SPCA)
- Our emergency rescue service operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In 2014, we responded to 3099 calls, and helped 1828 animals. We face a myriad of rescues involving different animals, wildlife and community alike. In rescue operations, our staff often face risky situations in the course of saving an animal's life. However, our dedicated officers will do the best they can and bring the animal to safety.
As pet ownership has increased in recent years, so has the incidence of neglect and abandonment. Many pet owners allow their animals to breed, adding to the overpopulation of unwanted pets. In recent years, rabbits and hamsters have increasingly been found abandoned because they are prolific breeders and their owners do not keep males and females apart. In one instance, we picked up 70 abandoned hamsters in a box at a void deck.
Many animals (community animals and pets) are not re-homed easily because of long-standing HDB policies prohibiting the keeping of cats and medium-sized dogs.
In July 2011, it was announced that an inter-agency task force would be set up to review the current policies on owning pets in HDB flats, as well as community animal management in Singapore. In November 2011, the authorities announced a 12 month pilot project on ownership of cross-breed dogs in HDB flats to begin in early 2012.
What we have been doing over the years:
- Promotion of sterilisation of pets through various media (publications/campaigns/articles/letters), talks in schools and organisations
- Running a Sterilisation Programme for community animals
- Educating the public against impulse buying
- Compulsory sterilisation for animals adopted from our shelter
- Lobbying the government for commercial breeding restrictions
- Lobbying for a change in HDB policies
- Lobbying the authorities for improved standards in pet shops/pet farms, including revocation of licences for those who continuously breach conditions of licence
- Pushing for more education at point of sale in pet shops
- Lobbying for sale of pets only to those above 16 years of age
- Lobbying the authorities to impose mandatory dog licensing at point of sale
What you can do to help:
- Adopt don’t buy. Tell your family and friends
- Have your pet(s) sterilised
- Help sterilise a community animal
- Voice your concern to the government about unrestricted commercial breeding and sale of pets.