SPCA and Acres launch White Paper on strengthening animal protection in Singapore

SINGAPORE – More than 40 cats were left abandoned in a rental flat in Ang Mo Kio in 2023, long after its occupants had moved out.

Despite attempts by animal welfare organisations such as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to step in, the cats’ previous owner refused to cooperate, even taping up the flat’s window louvres to prevent entry.

The SPCA, too, lacked the enforcement powers to forcefully seize the cats. To date, though 14 cats have been rehomed, it remains unclear if the others have received veterinary care or found new homes.

Cases like this show why it is crucial to strengthen the powers of animal welfare groups during rescue operations, said

Mr Walter Leong, the SPCA’s newly minted executive director

, who joined the organisation in July.

This is one of 15 recommendations included in a joint White Paper released on Aug 26 by the SPCA and wildlife rescue group Acres. The White Paper seeks to

strengthen protections to safeguard animal welfare

and is a first for both non-profit organisations.

The idea for the White Paper was first broached in 2024 by former Nee Soon GRC MP Louis Ng at

a forum on animal protection policies

. Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam, who was then also Law Minister, was at the event too.

“(The event) sparked a conversation about pulling together a group of people to look at what we can do to get animal welfare front and centre, and make it better,” said Mr Leong.

The 15 policy suggestions span several focus areas, including deepening the understanding of animal welfare among the Government and public, and strengthening existing legislation for companion animal and wildlife protection.

Notable recommendations include imposing a minimum age requirement of 16 for all pet owners, and increasing penalties under key provisions of the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act – which covers the illegal wildlife trade – and the Animals and Birds Act.

Under the Acts, first-time offenders who illegally import animals currently face a fine of up to $10,000, a prison sentence of up to 12 months, or both.

The White Paper suggests scaling this up to a fine of up to $50,000 per animal specimen (capped at a total value of $500,000), a prison sentence of up to four years, or both.

Mr Leong said: “It’s a cost-benefit analysis for most people. If penalties are lax, people may continue to smuggle in illegal animals as it is highly profitable, and even if they get caught, the fine they have to pay is much less than their earnings.”

Several recommendations were also helmed by Acres, such as a proposed ban on the purchase and use of glue traps by members of the public.

A

2024 report by Acres

stated that the organisation rescued nearly 2,000 wild animals from glue traps across Singapore between 2014 and 2023. Though these traps are commonly used to ensnare rodents and lizards, a quarter of the rescued animals were protected species, including kingfishers, bats and civets.

“Animals experience a lot of pain when they get stuck in glue traps, and many end up dying. These traps are a very mediaeval and ancient way of catching animals, and is something we should move away from,” said Acres chief executive Kalaivanan Balakrishnan.

He added that Acres has observed some members of the public using such traps irresponsibly, such as to ensnare snakes or birds.

Another key recommendation was the establishment of an Animal Welfare Expert Advisory Panel that includes veterinarians, lawyers, researchers and animal welfare groups, which can advise the Government on animal welfare.

Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan responded to the White Paper’s release in a Facebook post dated Aug 26, and said he had met the SPCA and Acres in July to discuss the recommendations.

“At our meeting, we agreed that there were some recommendations we could adopt, some which needed more time for evaluation together with partners, and some that will be challenging to implement,” he said.

He added that some of the White Paper’s suggestions were being studied as part of the ongoing review of the Animals and Birds Act, including relooking enforcement powers to better manage animal welfare cases, and expanding the licensing regime for the use of

aversive animal training devices such as electric shock collars and prong collars

.

The White Paper can be accessed on both the SPCA’s and Acres’ websites.

“We all know that legislation cannot happen overnight. It’ll take a while between now and then, but as members of the public show more interest and awareness, it will help to push things along,” said Mr Leong.