The root concern of keeping birds, or any pet, is not whether they are caged but whether are they subjected to abuse or ill treatment (Stop bird-singing competitions, by Mr Tan Kim Hock; Jan 20).

Many other pets, like hamsters and rabbits, are also kept in cages, just like the birds in Jurong Bird Park and animals in the zoo.

Furthermore, birds allowed to be sold in Singapore are bred for that very purpose, and it is illegal to catch any birds in the wild.

Bird-singing competitions bring people from different ethnic and social backgrounds together, promoting community living and togetherness.

Why are we calling for the culling of wild birds and the release of caged birds into the wild?

Let us be gracious and thankful that we have different activities for different age groups in Singapore.

Samuel Lim Hak Tik