Read Here Diagram summary of stray cat management proposal- Read Here Proposal on Stray Cat Management (detailed notes) Many of these revolved around the lack of commitment, cooperation and effective communication between town councils (TC), animal welfare groups, volunteers and residents. Some of the issues include the way complaints are handled, errant feeders who litter, the confusing messages posted on TC message boards, the lack of publicity and information about stray cat management in the estate and the sterilisation programme in place, amongst others. We also discussed several solutions we had recommended in our proposal to deal with the difficulties, and what we felt were obstacles to the success of the stray cat rehabilitation scheme (SCRS). The CWS strongly believes that the Stray Cat Rehabilitation Scheme is a worthwhile programme. However, it does require some adjustment and refinement, and we feel that in order for it to work, several factors need to be addressed. These include: 1. More resources There was always greater demand for sterilisation slots than were available. It had to depend on vets in private practice to help out but occasionally this was not possible. The scheme was also too dependent on volunteers who sometimes had difficulty arranging transport, trapping, post-operative nursing. 2. More publicity and awareness The public and town councils need to be properly informed about the rationale of SCRS and its longterm merits. This would increase cooperation and commitment between all parties as well as foster more understanding and tolerance among the residents, volunteers and TCs. The result would be a reduction in the number of complaints and a situation where all involved are mutually supportive and cohesive 3. Handling of complaints more effectively and productively This includes a proper way of dealing with anonymous complaints, which the CWS feels should not be entertained 4. Change in the current HDB ruling The current HDB ruling contributes to the problem of abandonment. As cats are not legally allowed in flats, “owners’ have no incentive to be responsible. On the other hand, if cats are allowed to be registered in flats, sterilisation and microchipping would be made compulsory, and owners would be made accountable for their pet cat. This way, any cat found abandoned can be traced back to its owner and anti-abandonment laws (passed earlier this year) could be enforced against the irresponsible owner. Once the abandonment problem is controlled, the sterilisation programme will have a greater chance to succeed as the supply of stray cats would be stopped. After this private meeting, the CWS then joined some of the other animal groups, Action for Singapore Dogs, Animal Lovers League, SOS Animals and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for another meeting with the AVA. There was talk of a shelter, but it appears that the land will be an open tender – which means that any commercial enterprise can also bid for it. This may make the land too expensive and put it outside the reach of the animal groups. Another concern is the length of the lease. If it is too short, there may be a problem of what to do with the cats when the lease runs out. The groups and the AVA also discussed the merits of re-implementing the SCRS. We were advised that if town councils supported the scheme and would allow volunteers to register on the SCRS again, there was a possibility that the SCRS would be allowed to continue in these areas.