SPCA and ACRES jointly release milestone White Paper on Strengthening Protections for Animal Welfare
The White Paper is a culmination of multiple dialogue sessions, representing voices of the public and the year-long efforts of a Committee led by former Member of Parliament Louis Ng, comprising animal welfare groups, legal academics, and lawyers.
Introduction
The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) have released a White Paper on Strengthening Protections for Animal Welfare. It sets out 15 recommendations across four areas of focus.
These recommendations were developed by a committee comprising animal welfare groups, legal academics and lawyers, and led by former Member of Parliament Louis Ng. Their work was informed by an extensive and comprehensive study of the animal welfare landscape, both locally and internationally, and guided by public feedback through various platforms including the SPCA’s VOICE Conference from 20–22 June 2024, a dialogue session with animal welfare groups on 27 June 2024, and the Nee Soon Public Forum on Animal Welfare Policies on 14 July 2024.
The SPCA 2024 Animal Cruelty & Welfare report, recorded another year of increase in cases of animal abuse, the highest measured over a twelve-year period. Of the 961 confirmed cases related to animal abuse, welfare issues and neglect, a total of 2,190 animals experienced harm or death. This has transcended the previous record in Year 2023, where the 915 cases recorded was 79% higher than the 511 cases in Year 2022.
The White Paper provides pertinent recommendations to enhance animal welfare protection in Singapore. Its four key focus areas include improving understanding of animal welfare, improving legislation and policies for animal welfare, introducing measures to enhance protection for companion animals, and enhancing protection for wildlife in Singapore.
Walter Leong, Executive Director of the SPCA said, “Animal welfare is not just a policy issue, it’s a shared responsibility and a reflection of who we are as a society. The White Paper calls on every segment of our community to help build a more compassionate Singapore, one that cares for its animals, stands firm against animal cruelty and where individuals make choices that uphold animal care and wellbeing. As animal welfare groups and organisations continue their vital work on the ground, protecting and providing for the animals, we also encourage the government to enhance legislation and enforcement to support these efforts.”
Kalai Vanan, CEO of ACRES, said: “As Singapore transitions further into a City in Nature, it is vital that we learn to embrace the animals that call Singapore home. Progress must go hand in hand with compassion, and this responsibility lies with all of us — from government agencies to NGOs, and every member of the community. With the right education, stronger laws, and strict enforcement, I believe we can address animal cruelty more effectively and send a clear, united message: there is no place for animal cruelty in Singapore.”
Outline of the White Paper
| AREA 1: STRENGTHEN ANIMAL WELFARE UNDERSTANDING AMONG THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC |
| Recommendation 1: Establish Animal Welfare Expert Advisory Panel to advise the government on animal welfare including animal welfare groups, researchers, veterinarians, lawyers and stakeholders |
| Recommendation 2: Strengthen the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) curriculum to include animal welfare as part of the Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) lesson plans |
| AREA 2: GENERAL ANIMAL WELFARE LEGISLATION AND POLICIES |
| Recommendation 3: Upon assessment, introduce principles on animal welfare in the Animals and Birds Act and the Wildlife Act based on general physical and psychological needs of animals. |
| Recommendation 4: Increase penalties for offences under the Animals and Birds Act on neglect of and cruelty to animals |
| Recommendation 5: Increase disqualification period for owning an animal or carrying out an animal-related business in cases of non-compliance with the Animals and Birds Act to better reflect severity of offences |
| Recommendation 6: Impose obligations on online service providers to prohibit the sale (or offering for sale) of companion animals, wildlife, and scheduled species without a license to stop illegal sale of animals |
| Recommendation 7: Strengthen powers of animal welfare groups to perform rescue functions more effectively |
| Recommendation 8: Introduce mandatory licensing conditions for pet groomers and trainers |
| Recommendation 9: Ban the declawing of cats and debarking of dogs |
| AREA 3: COMPANION ANIMAL PROTECTION |
| Recommendation 10: Make amendments to the Licensing Conditions for Pet Breeders, and the Animals and Birds Act to increase animal welfare standards in pet breeding farms |
| Recommendation 11: Impose a minimum age requirement of 16 years old to purchase all pets to safeguard vulnerability and prevent abandonment |
| Recommendation 12: Introduce more detailed guidance and safeguards for the euthanasia of healthy pets |
| Recommendation 13: Broaden the scope of the Code of Animal Welfare for pet owners, to distinguish best practices from minimal standards |
| AREA 4: WILDLIFE PROTECTION |
| Recommendation 14: Remove the exempted birds from the Wildlife (Exemption) Order 2020, or subject the exemption to conditions that persons must satisfy to utilise the exemptions |
| Recommendation 15: Regulate the sale and use of glue traps |
