In The News: Straits Times, 9 April 2001 by GOH SHIH YONG, Head/Public Affairs For CEO, Agri-food & Veterinary Authority, Ministry of National Development She was allowed to continue keeping the 10 dogs on compassionate grounds, until such time the dogs live out their natural lives. Over time, the number of dogs kept by her would be reduced by natural attrition, and she would be allowed to keep only three dogs in her premises. This concession was granted to Ms Strong on the condition that her premises would be well maintained, that her 10 dogs were microchipped, and the bitches sterilised. Ms Strong also had some of her dogs de-barked to reduce noise. We wish to assure your readers that, where public health is concerned, the Ministry of the Environment (ENV) will not hesitate to take strict action to ensure the public's safety. Its officers will continue to monitor the site. The keeping of a large number of pets in a household does not necessarily pose a nuisance or health hazard. Where an owner is responsible, and maintains the premises and the pets in good condition, and subjects the animals to proper control and veterinary care, the animals should not pose a nuisance or health problem. Nevertheless, residents are advised not to keep too many pets in a house. Some overseas governments do license cats, but this practice is not universal, and the reasons for introducing licensing laws vary. In some localities in the US, where rabies (a contagious and fatal disease) is present in the wildlife population, the cats are licensed to ensure that they are vaccinated regularly against rabies. The licensed cats are thus protected against rabies when they come into contact with wildlife. Licensing of cats has also been introduced to protect local fauna from being hunted and threatened by cats. In Singapore, the Agri-food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) implements dog licensing to prevent the spread of rabies, and to control the keeping of dangerous dogs to ensure public safety. Singapore has been free from rabies since 1953. Should rabies inadvertently occur in Singapore, dog licensing will enable AVA to quickly locate licensed dogs for vaccination against rabies so that they are protected and do not contribute to further spread of the disease. This is important in Singapore, given that there is close contact between people and dogs, and that the dog is the main animal to spread rabies to people in our urban environment. Cats, on the other hand, do not play an important role in the spread of rabies. As such, they are not licensed. Singapore already has laws in place to prevent nuisance and public-health problems arising from the keeping of animals, including cats. The Environmental Public Health Act is able to deal with the keeping of animals, in such places, manner or numbers where it gives rise to nuisance or public-health problems. Last but not least, AVA agrees with Ms Jean Lau and Ms Lynn Yeo that there is a need for public education to increase awareness, and promote responsible pet ownership. We would like to take this opportunity to inform your readers that AVA undertakes talks and exhibitions on responsible pet ownership. AVA has also produced a Pet Starter Kit that serves to educate pet owners on their responsibilities. This free kit has been distributed to schools and pet shops, and is freely available from AVA at the Centre for Animal Welfare & Control, 75 Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore 118507 (Tel: 471-9987).