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Lost your pet? It could be DEAD IN 24 HOURS

18 June 2007
EVERY day, up to 30 people in Singapore choose to ditch their pets after growing tired of them.

But if they think they can ease their consciences by dropping their pets off at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), they'd better know this: From now on, the SPCA will put down some abandoned pets within 24 hours of receiving the animal.

This is because of the overwhelming numbers of unwanted animals left at the non-profit organisation's doorstep daily.

Last year, about 9,300 animals were received by the SPCA.

Of these, only about 1,300 animals, or barely one in 10, were either adopted by new owners or claimed by owners who lost them.

The remaining 8,000 animals had to be put to sleep - that's an average of 22animals aday.

The SPCA says that some owners go to the society because they think it will help them take care of their unwanted pets.

Instead, they are shown a notice informing them that the surrendered animal could be put to sleep within 24 hours of it being turned in.

This has not gone down well with some people.

Ms Deirdre Moss, 55, the executive officer of the SPCA, said: 'We have been receiving public feedback through the phone and e-mail, questioning our policy of putting animals to sleep.'

The criticism has not dampened the society's efforts to be open about the policy.

It recently ran advertisements in the media publicising it.

Ms Moss said: 'We decided to be more vocal about our policy as it is important that the public understands the consequences of irresponsible pet ownership, and what happens to their abandoned pets.'

The reason given by Ms Moss for the society's strict adherence: It does not want to be cruel to the animals by subjecting them to overcrowding and exposing them to the possibilities of disease and fights.

Mr Teh Kim Yeu, 29, an operations executive, is one of those who object to this policy.

He said: 'It's awful to put an animal to sleep when it is not sick or dying. Animals are living things. They should be given a chance to live.'

Mr Teh's remark is one that Ms Moss has heard many times.

'People often say animals are living things. No one knows it more than us and we see living things being discarded every day,' she said.

She said the society's position is clear: 'We don't want to put animals to sleep.

'But the buck stops at the SPCA and we are forced to play God due to the sheer physical numbers of animals being surrendered or turned in.

'Half the people who come to our counter may be surprised to learn the animals they are surrendering could be put down.

'In spite of that, most of them still choose to leave the animals with us,' Ms Moss said.

'We may be unpopular for this, but the other alternative is to not accept animals.'

A no-kill policy has its share of problems. It is 'an unrealistic ideal', Ms Moss said.

'How do we keep 10,000 animals? In two years, it would be 18,000 animals.'

A no-kill policy would also mean a selective intake, which in turn could have a detrimental impact on donor support.

Ms Moss said: 'The public look to us to be an immediate shelter for animals.

'If we suddenly turn away animals from our door in order to have a no-kill policy, we would lose donor support.'

SPCA does not receive any government funding.

A common suggestion from observers, such as 33-year-old civil servantMalliga Manu, is this: 'SPCA should look for bigger premises, and make effective use of the space.'

She suggests the Government look into funding the SPCA to this end.

In response, Ms Moss said space is not the answer because if the animals remain unadopted, the number will keep growing.

'Bigger premises does not mean endless space,' Ms Moss pointed out.

Although there are plans to relocate to bigger premises in the next few years, MsMoss said that this could become an excuse for people to turn in even more pets, thinking that the society has more space to house them.

What, then, is the solution?

'The only way to reduce the numbers of animals being put down is to reduce the numbers of animals surrendered to us,' MsMoss said.

The SPCA wants to send home the message that people should give away unwanted animals only as a last resort.

Ms Moss said: 'The bottomline is, please find a solution before bringing them to us.

'The reality that we put animals to sleep may upset some, but can you imagine what it does to us, and the vets who are involved in the process?'
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Its really heartbreaking for me to hear about this news. Been asking myself, "What can i do to help those poor fury friends?" I really felt so shameful to be a human in this world. I can do nothing but watch as the little ones died helplessly.........

They are not sick or old, y should they be put to death? Just bcos nobody wants them. Just bcos of those irresponsible bastards. Just bcos they can't speak, they are not a human, doesn't mean they don't have the right to be given a chance to live.

This is not the world i want to see.

Just imagine putting urself in those poor animals' shoes & waiting to die 1 by 1. Its definitely not a thing to be happy about. Even if they r sick or old, doesn't mean they should be put to death. Its just like human case. If u r old or sick, means u should be put to death?? No right?

I understand the plight of SPCA. Its their last resort. Else they won't implement such policy as putting a living thing to slp is definitely not a good thing. I believe if u have a little bit of conscience, u won't be willing to carry out such action.

But from a pet lover view, its really devastating to hear of the helpless animals being put to death. But what to do??? When there's more bastards than kind souls??

Just like what the article mentioned. What to do when there's continuous increase of abandoned pets at their door step but there isn't enough money for all.

If only there's more generous rich donors who's willing to save those poor animals. Or more pet lovers to adopt them.

The only one to blame is the abandoned pet's owner. Such irresponsible act of theirs caused the innocent lives to be taken away.

Where's their conscience??

Won't they have nitemares when they slp??

Won't they even miss their pets a little???

WAKE UP IDIOTSS!!!!

N pls don't buy a pet impulsively!! Its a long term commitment.

THINK!!! Think of the consequences. Don't buy if u can't guarantee to commit.

N also, don't buy from breeders or other improper channels. Buy from a pet shop if u really need to.

Be compassionate. Spare a tot for them. Give them a chance to live.