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  New Paper 18 Jun 07
Lost your pet? It could be DEAD IN 24 HOURS

EVERY day, up to 30 people in Singapore choose to ditch their pets after growing tired of them.

But if they think they can ease their consciences by dropping their pets off at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), they'd better know this: From now on, the SPCA will put down some abandoned pets within 24 hours of receiving the animal.

This is because of the overwhelming numbers of unwanted animals left at the non-profit organisation's doorstep daily.

Last year, about 9,300 animals were received by the SPCA. Of these, only about 1,300 animals, or barely one in 10, were either adopted by new owners or claimed by owners who lost them. The remaining 8,000 animals had to be put to sleep - that's an average of 22 animals aday.

The SPCA says that some owners go to the society because they think it will help them take care of their unwanted pets. Instead, they are shown a notice informing them that the surrendered animal could be put to sleep within 24 hours of it being turned in.

This has not gone down well with some people.

Ms Deirdre Moss, 55, the executive officer of the SPCA, said: 'We have been receiving public feedback through the phone and e-mail, questioning our policy of putting animals to sleep.'

OPEN ABOUT IT

The criticism has not dampened the society's efforts to be open about the policy. It recently ran advertisements in the media publicising it.

Ms Moss said: 'We decided to be more vocal about our policy as it is important that the public understands the consequences of irresponsible pet ownership, and what happens to their abandoned pets.'

The reason given by Ms Moss for the society's strict adherence: It does not want to be cruel to the animals by subjecting them to overcrowding and exposing them to the possibilities of disease and fights.

Mr Teh Kim Yeu, 29, an operations executive, is one of those who object to this policy. He said: 'It's awful to put an animal to sleep when it is not sick or dying. Animals are living things. They should be given a chance to live.'

Mr Teh's remark is one that Ms Moss has heard many times. 'People often say animals are living things. No one knows it more than us and we see living things being discarded every day,' she said. She said the society's position is clear: 'We don't want to put animals to sleep.

'But the buck stops at the SPCA and we are forced to play God due to the sheer physical numbers of animals being surrendered or turned in.

'Half the people who come to our counter may be surprised to learn the animals they are surrendering could be put down. 'In spite of that, most of them still choose to leave the animals with us,' Ms Moss said.

'We may be unpopular for this, but the other alternative is to not accept animals.'

'UNREALISTIC'

A no-kill policy has its share of problems. It is 'an unrealistic ideal', Ms Moss said.

'How do we keep 10,000 animals? In two years, it would be 18,000 animals.'

A no-kill policy would also mean a selective intake, which in turn could have a detrimental impact on donor support.

Ms Moss said: 'The public look to us to be an immediate shelter for animals. 'If we suddenly turn away animals from our door in order to have a no-kill policy, we would lose donor support.'

SPCA does not receive any government funding. A common suggestion from observers, such as 33-year-old civil servantMalliga Manu, is this: 'SPCA should look for bigger premises, and make effective use of the space.' She suggests the Government look into funding the SPCA to this end.

In response, Ms Moss said space is not the answer because if the animals remain unadopted, the number will keep growing. 'Bigger premises does not mean endless space,' Ms Moss pointed out.

Although there are plans to relocate to bigger premises in the next few years, MsMoss said that this could become an excuse for people to turn in even more pets, thinking that the society has more space to house them.

What, then, is the solution?

'The only way to reduce the numbers of animals being put down is to reduce the numbers of animals surrendered to us,' MsMoss said.

The SPCA wants to send home the message that people should give away unwanted animals only as a last resort. Ms Moss said: 'The bottomline is, please find a solution before bringing them to us. 'The reality that we put animals to sleep may upset some, but can you imagine what it does to us, and the vets who are involved in the process?'

The Electric New Paper 18 Jun 07
ANIMALS FOR ADOPTION MAY BE KEPT FOR YEARS

IT'S not a dead end for every animal that passes through the SPCA's gates.

As far as possible, the society tries to find new homes for animals that are suitable for adoption. The animals are selected based on their health, temperament and age, and space available.

Ms Deirdre Moss, the SPCA's executive officer, said: 'Priority goes to healthy, younger, friendly animals.' 'People want young, friendly, cute animals - and toy breeds are very much in demand.'

Sick and injured animals usually do not stand much of a chance, given the limited veterinary and space resources. The same goes for older animals.

Ms Moss revealed that generally, animals aged over 6 years are not likely to be considered for adoption. But selection is made on a case-by-case basis.

One dog made the cut despite being less than perfect - a chihuahua with a deformed paw. It will be put up for adoption later this year. Ms Moss said it met the selection criteria and has 'a good temperament'.

Once the SPCA selects an animal to be put up for adoption, it will keep it for as long as it takes to find it a new owner.

Two cross-breed dogs, Boy and Handsome, who are both 4 1/2 years-old, have been at the SPCA for the past two years, waiting to be adopted. Those interested in adopting an animal from the society may take a look at the adoption gallery on the website www.spca.org.sg.

Adoption is free, but potential pet-owners have to be prepared to pay for compulsory medical expenses which include the cost of sterilisation, microchipping, vaccination and deworming.
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