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  Straits Times Forum 2 Mar 07
HDB should come up with clear rules on those who keep noisy pets
Letter from P. Swaminathan

Straits Times Forum 26 Feb 07
It's not the size of the dwelling that matters, it's how pets are managed
Letter from Anthony Lee Mui Yu

Straits Times Forum 24 Feb 07
Keeping pets a far better experience than the zoo
Letter from Dawn Kua Su-Wen (Ms) Director of Operations Cat Welfare Society

Straits Times Forum 23 Feb 07
How to handle a pet peeve? Try living with a companion pet
Letter from Dr Tan Chek Wee

Straits Times Forum 16 Feb 07
Important to take the time to understand a culture before making judgments
Letter from Roni Roberts Darwin, Australia

Straits Times Forum 22 Feb 07
Keeping animals: How to handle a pet peeve
Letter from Heng Cho Choon

I REFER to the letter, 'Important to take the time to understand a culture before making judgments' by Mr Roni Roberts (ST, Feb 16) in which he commented on whether HDB flat dwellers should or should not keep pets as 'an integral part of the family unit'.

Some people keep pets because they truly love them and care for them with utter devotion. They do not mind spending a fortune to take their pet to see the vet whenever it is sick. Some keep pets because they are childless and want to drive out the silence and monotony of the home.

I once visited a friend who lives on the second level of a block of HDB flats. On the ground floor is a pet shop which sells birds and hamsters. Residents nearby have to put up with the noise, smell and mess 365 days of the year. With the spread of bird flu, I wonder if it is safe to live in such an environment.

The TV series Miami Animal Police shows us that not every pet owner is a responsible individual. It shows emaciated dogs which have not eaten for two weeks and snakes kept in a small cage when their owner was away on vacation overseas. Some goats were locked in a small enclosure and left unfed for days on end.

Perhaps we should have a battalion of animal police in Singapore to ensure our animals are not abused or neglected. If our children are serious about wanting to know more about animals, they can always visit the zoo, the bird park or even Pulau Ubin.

Pulau Ubin has animals galore, from butterflies and snakes to wild boars and flying foxes. This is in addition to the rich flora which is part and parcel of the natural landscape. In Chua Chu Kang, there are fish, goat, frog and chicken farms which are open to the public. Parents can always take their kids to such places for a close encounter with animals.

If Mr Roberts were to live in a three-room HDB flat for six months, perhaps his notion of keeping pets in a densely populated country would be different. I have visited China for several months in a year and to date I know only a fraction of Chinese culture and the innate Chinese soul.

Straits Times Forum 16 Feb 07
Important to take the time to understand a culture before making judgments
Letter from Roni Roberts Darwin, Australia

We are a group of postgraduate students from Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia. We visited the vibrant and beautiful Singapore for an intensive study in Cross-Cultural Management Skills last October. We had seven days of intensive study aimed at improving our cross-cultural effectiveness through:

Examining the influence of cultural differences on management skills, behaviour and performance

Being involved in experiences which enable us to identify significant issues of cross-cultural behaviour; and

Examining our own cultural background and how it affects our behaviour and interactions with other people.

Part of the experiential learning programme included exploring a hypothesis that 'pets are not a significant part of homes in Singapore, because of housing constraints, prohibitive costs, rules and regulations and cultural beliefs'.

The methodology involved observations by the group over a period of several days, inviting a cross-section of the community to respond to a questionnaire and offer anecdotal evidence.

Our hypothesis was based on assumptions that Australians live in a space-rich environment and there are very few limitations or constraints that impact negatively on pet ownership in Darwin.

We were very aware that we didn't want to impose our value system in another culture and, in doing so, were careful to choose a culture-neutral topic that would allow us to engage the local communities to get below the tip of the iceberg.

As first-time visitors to Singapore, the group was humbled and appreciative at the level of openness and friendship shown to them by Singaporeans. Not only were they prepared to help with the study but they were also prepared to share stories and time with warmth and sincerity.

Our language and cultural differences were transformed into a pleasurable opportunity for shared learning. The group was seeking to identify explicit evidence to support our thesis, such as a perceived absence of: pet shops, people exercising pets, pet advertising and veterinary surgeries et cetera.

Additionally, the group explored Singaporean attitudes, values and beliefs related to pet ownership. Is housing a constraint for Singaporeans owning pets? All the people interviewed lived in high-density housing, such as flats and condominiums.

Although the minority of people owned pets, none of the participants who didn't have pets gave housing constraints as a reason. On the contrary, they all seemed to agree that it was acceptable to have pets in this type of environment provided the animal was of a reasonable size, well looked after and controlled.

Are costs prohibitive to Singaporeans owning pets? It appeared, from the responses, that the cost of owning different types of pets is well understood and is not a priority consideration for the participants.

Are rules and regulations a deterrent to Singaporeans owning pets? Although most of the respondents were unclear about the specific rules and regulations regarding ownership of pets, they supported the need for appropriate animal-control measures. Most held the view that there is a strong element of self-management by residents of Singapore. Owners who allow their pets to become a nuisance to others will be reported to the authorities and they believe the offending owner will be dealt with.

Do cultural beliefs impact upon the decision by Singaporeans to own pets? The majority of people participating in the study were of Chinese, Indian, Malay and Arab origin. Other than a clear message that Muslim beliefs do not allow ownership of dogs, or birds in cages, there was no strong evidence to suggest any difference based on ethnic origin of the participants.

While carrying out the survey some interesting additional information became apparent. For example;

Some people did not own animals because of allergies, lack of time or they don't want responsibility of ownership;

The participants didn't seem to be concerned that future generations of Singaporeans may not have direct access to live animals, other than domestic pets, unless they visit the zoo and take overseas travel;

Most of the participants interviewed believed there was little or no native wildlife left in Singapore;

The ownership of pets is taken very seriously and with a very responsible attitude. The indication from the participants was that they were prepared to strongly defend their right to own a pet. They are viewed as an integral part of the family unit;

There was a general consensus that stray animals are numerous and represent a health risk to humans. Despite this concern, there was agreement that stray animals have a right to life and should be appropriately cared for.

'Either people should feed them at the same time everyday, or call the SPCA to collect and care for them.'

By engaging locals on a deeper level, our time in Singapore has taken us well beyond the experience of the average tourist. If the purpose of this unit was to improve our cross-cultural awareness and thus effectiveness, then the group concurs that this has been achieved.

Rather than this being taught to us in the usual academic way, it has been a journey of discovery, which was achieved in partnership with the local people of Singapore.

At the beginning the group had assumptions that have since been tested and proven invalid. This demonstrates the importance of taking the time to understand a culture before making a judgment about behaviour and applying our own values to a person and expecting their behaviour to follow.

The implication for the future is that people with different views and backgrounds best achieve successful outcomes when they share responsibility for each other's learning regardless of culture.

Straits Times Forum 23 Feb 07
How to handle a pet peeve? Try living with a companion pet
Letter from Dr Tan Chek Wee

I refer to Mr Heng Cho Choon's letter, 'Keeping animals: How to handle a pet peeve', (ST, Feb 22).

I fully agree with Mr Heng's statement that the duration that a person spends in a country is not a good indication that he or she understands the culture of the people. One marvellous example is Neil Humphrey. He hailed from England with scant knowledge of the Singapore culture but, within just a short span of 10 years, he knew enough to publish several books that are best sellers.

Knowledge comes from experience. I live with three cats whom I rescued from the streets - two were extremely emaciated from not knowing how to look for food as they were abandoned and one has her tail chopped off.

These cats are not replacement for a lack of children or to fill my 'silence and monotony' at home. They are companions from whom I learn many wonders of our fellow animals. I learn to love another being unconditionally, without expecting them to look after me when I am old. I learn compassion because they allow me to provide them with shelter and food. I learn to appreciate other animals in the world as nothing beats understanding an animal as living with one.

The Ontario Medical Veterinary Association (http://www.ovma.org/pets/human_animalbond.shtml) states many benefits that come from human-animal bond such as:
>>Children with companion animals are more likely to have higher self-esteem.
>>Pets are a wonderful stress buster for kids.
>>Pet ownership is an excellent way to teach children about responsibility.
>>28 per cent of heart patients with pets survived serious heart attacks, compared to only 6 per cent of heart patients without pets.
>>Owning a pet can reduce blood pressure as effectively as eating a low-salt diet or reducing alcohol intake.
And the list goes on.

Neil Humphrey knows Singapore well because he chose to experience life here without inhibitions and prejudices. Perhaps if Mr Heng has experienced living with a companion animal, he will have a different perspective of pets.

Straits Times Forum 24 Feb 07
Keeping pets a far better experience than the zoo
Letter from Dawn Kua Su-Wen (Ms) Director of Operations Cat Welfare Society

I REFER to Mr Heng Cho Choon's letter, 'Keeping animals: How to handle a pet peeve' (ST, Feb 22).

We agree that more can be done for animal welfare in Singapore, and we are pleased to see that Mr Heng is in agreement about the matter. As he himself says, people do truly love and care for their pets and take them to the vet when they are ill.

There will certainly be some irresponsible pet owners, but as Mr Heng pointed out, the animal police might be one option to deal with this. There are already laws on animal abuse, neglect and abandonment in place.

We are not clear what the analogy between owning pets and a pet shop on the first floor of an HDB block is. If Mr Heng feels that the pet shop is not clean and is lacking in hygiene, then he should alert the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority to the matter. In addition, there is no bird flu in Singapore.

It is a shame that Mr Heng feels that children should be taken to a zoo to learn about animals.

At a time when we are trying to become a more humane and compassionate people with a genuine culture, this is akin to pulling down all our historic buildings and monuments and telling people to go to the museum instead.

The best way children can learn is through daily experience - not through occasional trips to the zoo.

Straits Times Forum 26 Feb 07
It's not the size of the dwelling that matters, it's how pets are managed
Letter from Anthony Lee Mui Yu

In his letter, 'Keeping animals: How to handle a pet peeve' (ST, Feb 22), Mr Heng Cho Choon opposes keeping pets in small apartments in a 'densely populated country'.

It's not dwelling size or population densities but what kind of pets you keep and how they are managed that matter. Naturally, no horses, tigers and pythons even in a Bukit Timah bungalow. It's also cruel to confine animals that need open spaces.

The writer's examples of emaciated dogs and goats on TV only prove that even larger or landed properties in less-dense America have owners who neglect or mismanage animals - it's not apartment or population size per se.

To learn about animals, he advocates bringing kids to the zoo, the bird park or Pulau Ubin to see wildlife. 'In Chua Chu Kang, there are fish, goat, frog and chicken farms which are open to the public.'

On TV, did Mr Heng see Tyke, a female elephant in America, being shot on a street after 'rampaging' out of its circus tent during a show? If you had been kidnapped from young, seen your mother killed, beaten to submission to entertain crowds and deprived of a natural family life, wouldn't you have snapped at some point in a desperate bid for freedom?

Living with pets can evoke empathy, respect and care for non-human life while watching or petting them won't to that degree. Being entertained by animals can commodify them as toys unworthy of concern beyond that utility.

The writer worries that HDB residents near pet shops selling birds and hamsters suffer 'the noise, smell and mess 365 days of the year'. He wonders about their safety vis-à-vis the bird flu.

Putting fears in perspective, the number of casualties of pandemics blamed on animals are paltry when compared with man's decimation of his and other species through warfare, infection and pesticides like DDT.

Mr Heng understands that love, devotion and childlessness motivate pet-keeping. Would we have evolved thus if they had been banished to zoos and petting farms? Doesn't this obviate needing 'a battalion of animal police'?

Straits Times Forum 2 Mar 07
HDB should come up with clear rules on those who keep noisy pets
Letter from P. Swaminathan

I refer to Ms Dawn Kua Su-Wen's letter, 'Keeping pets a far better experience than the zoo'' (ST, Feb 24).

As an animal lover, I feel animals are most happy when free.

Caging a bird for personal pleasure and keeping them confined in small spaces on the first floor of an HDB block for commercial avarice will cause lots of stress for the captive birds and also the neighbours who have to put up with noise all day long.

I have also noticed that captive birds within cages behave in a radically different way from the ones which are free.

I have a neighbour who has acquired a singing bird. For much of the day he hangs it out of his drawing room window, rain or shine. The bird makes a variety of noises throughout the day non-stop. As this is the only bird making noise in an otherwise quiet neighbourhood, I feel it is inconsiderate behaviour on the part of the owner.

If the bird owner buys the bird for personal pleasure, then he/she should take the bird to the gardens or bird corner and spend the entire day in the care of the bird. Once he/she returns home, the bird should be placed in the confines of the house with all the doors and windows tightly shut and rendered sound-proof to prevent the noise created by the bird from escaping.

I wish HDB would come out with strict and clear guidelines for pet owners who keep noisy pets so as to prevent these owners from causing a nuisance to their neighbours.

For many of us, acquisition of an HDB flat is a lifetime investment. Even after this huge investment, it is a torture to put up with the neighbour's noisy pet.
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