Unwanted: Cats found by SPCA at a housing estate. — The Straits Times/ANN
MORE pets are being abandoned after the pandemic, with owners unable to pay rising veterinary fees or the costs of moving the animals when pet owners return to their home countries.
And the trend could get worse, say animal welfare groups, which have seen a spike in the number of pets they have to find new homes for.
With inflation pushing up the cost of veterinary fees and services between 10% and 20%, and pandemic supply disruptions causing a significant jump in costs of medical consumables and drugs, pet ownership has become more expensive.
Moreover, with travel restrictions lifted, many owners are able to return to their home countries but do not want to bear the costs of relocating pets.
It costs around S$5,300 (RM17,800) to transport a small dog from Singapore to Australia, and prices increase with size.
Animal welfare groups said these new developments are adding to the more usual reasons for dogs, cats and even small animals being discarded.
Such reasons include lack of research as owners are unable to handle behavioural changes or unexpected health conditions, as well as ageing caregivers and children with allergies.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said that in 2022, it recorded 96 cases of pet abandonment, and 38 dogs were surrendered to the shelter.
However, in the first three months of 2023, it has already seen 81 cases of abandoned animals and 11 dogs being surrendered.
The first three months of 2022 registered just 14 cases of abandonment.
Re-homing notices on the SPCA website have also spiked, with 198 in the first quarter of 2023, up from about 20 cases every month before the pandemic.
Aarthi Sankar, executive director of SPCA, said the numbers are disproportionately high compared to previous years.
“No matter the reason, we urge pet owners to never abandon their pets. Pets are sentient beings that depend on their owners for food, shelter and love. Abandoning them can cause them grave danger,” she said.
House Rabbit Society Singapore (HRSS) was alerted to 13 abandoned rabbits crammed into two storage containers at a void deck in Clementi last November. The rabbits showed signs of neglect with matted fur, parasites and myriad infections.
A month later, four rabbits were spotted in Bukit Batok Nature Park. They were covered with maggots and one was pregnant.
“Seeing such cases breaks my heart and is overwhelming for animal welfare groups. Rescues are all operated by volunteers with full-time jobs or studies. Volunteers have had to open their own homes to rescues due to the lack of a physical shelter,” said Stacy Goh, a volunteer with HRSS.
However, many cases go unreported as it is challenging to determine if some animals are lost, strays or abandoned.
Animal welfare groups and veterinary professionals are urging the public to be more aware that pet ownership is a lifetime commitment, and potential pet owners should consider the time, financial resources and dedication required to care for a pet before adopting or purchasing one.
According to the Animal and Veterinary Service, individuals who are found guilty of failure in duty of care to their pets (including pet abandonment) can be charged under the Animals and Birds Act and may face a fine of up to S$10,000 (RM33,570), a jail term of up to 12 months, or both. — The Straits Times/ANN
