Channel NewsAsia 6 Aug 11;
SINGAPORE: Minister of State for National Development Tan Chuan-Jin said the government recognises that everyone would have different preferences to animals, and that public sentiment on these issues can be quite split.
He said it will be impossible to reach a situation where everyone is satisfied.
Nevertheless, the issues raised, such as concerns on noise, smell, wandering and fur allergies are very real.
He said the government will need to study them carefully before coming to any decision.
Brigadier-General Tan shared his thoughts in his Facebook page on Saturday, in the midst of a review of pet ownership and stray management policies.
He said the review is not about animals per se, but about finding workable solutions to actively manage the issues and concerns and create common space for everyone.
He said people must acknowledge that pets and strays are inevitably part of the living environment and should find ways to best live alongside them.
BG Tan said there must be shared ownership by all stakeholders, while pet owners must be responsible for their pets in this common space.
He said he has been receiving feedback and suggestions from many people.
Some expressed concerns about allowing cats in HDB flats and the problems associated with cats, while animal lovers are keen to see HDB allow cat ownership.
As part of the government's public engagement exercise, his ministry has launched an online portal for the public to give their views and suggestions from now till October.
He said he and his inter-agency taskforce will study and consider their views and suggestions.
BG Tan said that over the next few months, he and his taskforce will meet stakeholders to collect feedback and suggestions.
He added that they will take a step-by-step approach, and consider pilot projects such as the Stray Cat Sterilisation Programme (SCSP) in selected blocks at four town councils if need be.
Have your say on pet ownership
Sunday Times 7 Aug 11;
Don't just keep your views about pet ownership and the management of animal strays to yourself.
There is now an online form on the Ministry of National Development's website for you to provide ideas and feedback.
In a Facebook post yesterday, Minister of State for National Development and Manpower Tan Chuan-Jin, who is overseeing a review of pet ownership and stray animal management policies, said the taskforce will study the feedback and take it into consideration for its review.
The review, announced last month by Brigadier-General (NS) Tan, will take four months and will relook policies such as cats not being allowed to be kept in HDB flats.
BG Tan said that since his announcement, he has been receiving feedback and suggestions.
He said that there are those who are concerned about noise and smell from animals and those who want cats to be allowed in flats.
Saying that it would be 'impossible to reach a situation where everyone is satisfied', he added: 'The review is... about finding workable solutions to actively manage the issues and concerns, so that we can create common spaces for everyone.'
The taskforce includes senior officials from the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority and the Housing Board. It will also gather feedback from residents, town councils and animal welfare groups.
BG Tan said he will spend the next few months meeting the various stakeholders.
The feedback portal, http://app.mnd.gov.sg/PetOwnershipandStrayManagementReview.aspx, will be open till October.
Ng Kai Ling
PETS IN HDB FLATS
Only one dog - from an approved list of breeds - may be kept in each flat
Cats are not allowed because they are difficult to confine.
Pets that can be confined - such as hamsters, rabbits, fish and birds - are allowed
