One bark to give animal welfare groups more bite

Opportunity for SPCA to play lead role in animal activist community
Judith Tan Straits Times 20 Jul 11;

IF IT takes a village to raise a child, then it looks like it would take a whole inter-agency task force to care for the well-being of cats and dogs.

Well, at least it seems so in Singapore.

Recently, it was announced that a special task force, led by the Ministry of National Development (MND), will be formed to focus on some key concerns related to felines and canines. Its members will include senior officials from the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) and the Housing Board. Its task in hand - reviewing issues on pet ownership and stray animal management policies.

The move provides the first steps to running a fine-tooth comb through the gamut of animal welfare groups' activities and working with such groups to streamline what they do.

This presents a unique opportunity for animal welfare groups, which number more than 10 today. Their focuses might be different, but all of them are campaigning for the same thing - better animal welfare. The groups include Action for Singapore Dogs, Cat Welfare Society, Animal Lovers League and House Rabbits Society Singapore.

When different voices clamour to be heard, one can struggle to get heard above the din. Therefore, these animal welfare groups should organise themselves into a loose alliance to address common concerns with the authorities.

The key here is not that there are too many groups; rather, it is the need to tap their different skills and get them to speak with one clear, coherent voice. This is where the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) should step up to the plate and become a first among equals.

Many agree that animal advocacy has grown teeth in recent years. The proliferation of animal rights groups could also have stolen the limelight away from the SPCA.

And such groups have been effective. Take the plight of Wander, for example.

The stray dog had its face badly disfigured late last year after it was repeatedly bashed with a metal chain by a man, believed to be a foreign worker. The dog's pain first came to light when its story was posted on citizen journalism website Stomp late last year.

This sparked outrage among many. Apart from urging the authorities to nab the culprit, many groups came forward to help nurse the dog. A $10,000 reward was even put up by the owner of an animal shelter for information leading to the assailant's arrest and prosecution.

Then there was the persistent clawing by the Cat Welfare Society (CWS) to stop the culling of strays and the reinstatement of the Stray Cat Rehabilitation Scheme that was fruitful. The AVA is currently working with CWS and some town councils on a pilot Stray Cat Sterilisation Programme, even subsidising up to half of the neutering cost.

Amid such growing advocacy among various groups, does the SPCA still have a role? The answer is a resounding 'yes'.

After all, it is the oldest and most recognisable animal rights group. The SPCA had been the lone voice in the wilderness for a long time, crying out on behalf of animal welfare since it came into being in the 1800s.

In spite of increasing challenges, such as a lack of awareness of animal welfare issues and funding, the SPCA persisted in being a voice for those who cannot speak.

Its two main objectives then, and now still, are to promote kindness and prevent cruelty to animals and birds. It carries out cruelty investigations, emergency rescues, sterilisation and education programmes for schools.

Despite the rise of other animal activist groups, the SPCA is still holding its own. Recently, the animal rights watchdog sought to reinvent itself to fit into today's climate of animal welfarism.

It announced that Ms Deirdre Moss, its head for 27 years, is stepping down. Taking over is Ms Corinne Fong, a financial advisory representative who is no stranger to the cause. She has knowledge and skill from years of experience as an animal adoption volunteer counsellor and management committee member.

The SPCA's relocation to a much-needed 0.8ha site in Sungei Tengah in three years - double that of its current space - would enable the SPCA to relook its policy of euthanising some of its wards. The SPCA currently takes in an average of 600 animals a month. Due to space constraints, about 70 per cent are put down.

At its new set-up, the SPCA should consider extending its holding period for animals. It could also work with other groups to offer some of these animals, destined for the gas chamber, a second chance.

With such changes in place, the SPCA will be well placed to play a leadership role. This does not mean that its modus operandi should be of a 'top down' nature.

Rather, the SPCA can lead from the front by working with other groups. Tapping their contributions, the SPCA can act as their 'clearing house' to help government agencies formulate policies concerning the breeding of dogs as pets. With the backing of the other groups, the SPCA can then become an animal rights watchdog with teeth.

There is a window of opportunity here for the SPCA, which first started out as a humble-sized outfit along Tomlinson Road (and housed, among other animals, an orang utan). Previously it was difficult for animal welfare groups to reach out to the authorities. Today, the authorities are perceived to be more open to feedback and input.

Nonetheless, there is still a 'them versus us' mentality between activist groups and the authorities. In the middle, reason is often needed in the clash between activist passion and cold officialdom. The SPCA could be such a voice of reason.

In short, the proliferation of other animals rights groups has not affected SPCA's role. Rather, such proliferation has only highlighted the need for a body that will bring together their disparate voices and meld them into one.

To paraphrase The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, one bark (or meow) should 'rule' them all.