The Cat Welfare Society is disappointed with the government's decision to end the Stray Cat Rehabilitation Scheme (SCRS). However, we do appreciate the announced policy of allowing sterilised cats to remain in their territories. We have worked hard over the last four years in support of this volunteer-based initative that worked on the principle of getting residents involved in the management of their own neighbourhoods and to mediate conflicts. It was an excellent example of government working with the people to achieve a common goal of management for homeless cats in order to improve the environment and living conditions for both animals and humans. The SCRS admittedly had teething problems, but sadly it was never given the opportunity to refine and rationalise its processes. We had expected the consultation process with the authorities to include a further round of discussion with the welfare groups to work out possible means to improve the scheme, rather than to discontinue it wholesale. We still firmly believe that sterilisation together with the proper management of homeless cats is the most viable, long-term, win-win solution for the community at large. We have received very postive feedback from various sources that sterilisation as a method of control was effective and this was reinforced when the authorities (AVA) also supported this scheme since 1999. CWS will continue to work for what we believe in - sterilisation, management, education, finding homes and giving medical help for needy animals. We strongly believe that sterilising homeless cats will not only keep the population down, but will also reduce it in the long-term. Towards this end, CWS is planning to set up a low cost sterilisation clinic. Since 1999, CWS has been working with private vets to sterilise homeless cats at a low cost and will continue to do so, but we now need to intensify our sterilisation efforts. To set up the clinic, we estimate that we would need clost to one million dollars as start-up and operating costs for two years. As such, we are appealing to the public to help out with funds and resources. In order to raise such a large amount, we would now need to apply for charity as well as Institute of Public Character (IPC) status, and we hope that the relevant authorities will be able to expedite our application given the urgency of the situation. We warmly than the AVA for its effort to introduce humane management strategies and hope that in future, the wisdom of this will be accepted by the Ministry. We also hope to be able to continue to work with the relevant authorities to come up with visible, effective solutions that will benefit the community at large.