JUNE 4

JUNE 4, 2003
AVA consults animal groups on stray cat problem

THE Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) is working on a long-term solution to the problem of stray cats in consultation with animal welfare groups here.

Minister of State (National Development) Vivian Balakrishnan said that by the end of the week, an update of tests to see if the cats can pick up or transmit Sars should be available.

'I hope to wrap up this process of consultation within a week or so, and I hope we will have a viable, long-term, sustainable solution to this,' he told reporters yesterday at the Dolphin Lagoon in Sentosa, where a baby pink dolphin, born in captivity, was introduced.

But this would not involve 'exporting' the strays, he said, referring to an earlier report where a group, Animal Lovers League, said it might transport stray cats to an animal shelter in Johor. The Veterinary Services Department there then said Malaysia does not allow the import of stray cats.

Said Dr Balakrishnan: 'You can't export strays across the borders. We wouldn't allow it, and the Malaysians wouldn't allow it. This is a problem which we will solve. We will solve it internally, with our own resources, and with the help of the animal welfare groups in Singapore.'