When Tiny, a six-month-old kitten, wandered into a ground-floor condominium unit, she was hungry, skinny, and scared. Neighbors found her and contacted LUNI Singapore, a non-profit cat rescue organization. LUNI attempted to re-home Tiny, but she was ultimately adopted by the neighbors who found her.

With the recent implementation of mandatory microchipping and licensing for pet cats in Singapore, some animal welfare groups are concerned about an increase in cat abandonment. They worry that owners may see the costs associated with these requirements as an additional burden, especially considering the rising cost of living and pet ownership.

LUNI Singapore has experienced a decrease in fosterers, dropping from 50-60 during the COVID-19 pandemic to about 35 currently. This decrease, coupled with an increase in abandonment, has made it difficult for the group to rescue all cats in need.

Animal welfare groups are pushing for mandatory sterilization of cats to help reduce abandonment and overpopulation. The Cat Welfare Society (CWS) has seen an increase in requests for sterilization and microchipping through its own program, which helps families with financial difficulties cover the costs of these procedures.

With the new licensing scheme, microchipping can help improve traceability of animals, potentially reducing abandonment. Animal welfare groups are ramping up efforts to educate owners on the new regulations and dispel any confusion that may lead to abandonment. They emphasize that pet owners are allowed to keep all their existing pet cats under the new framework, as long as they care for their health and welfare.

Clear messaging, coupled with swift investigations and penalties, are crucial to deterring pet abandonment and ensuring the well-being of cats in Singapore.