To prevent indiscriminate breeding, other measures include increasing the annual license fee for unsterilised male dogs from S$14 to S$70, the same as the current fee for unspayed female dogs.
The changes come after the AVA took a new look at its sterilisation policies. In the past, spaying female dogs was thought to be effective in putting a stop to indiscriminate breeding.
Said an AVA spokesman: 'The current revision of costs recognises that sterilisation of male dogs is equally important since they also play a role in creating unwanted litter.'
Ms Deirdre Moss, executive officer of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), said: 'Increasing the licensing fees will provide a greater incentive for owners of male dogs to sterilise their pets.'
There are an estimated 8,000 stray dogs in Singapore, said the AVA. The SPCA receives about 250 unwanted dogs a month, half of which are abandoned pets.
Vet Jean-Paul Ly said: 'Unfortunately, there are many irresponsible pet owners who might abandon their pets, and in such cases the good of sterilisation outweighs the bad.'
Sterilisation can make dogs less aggressive and easier to handle. It also removes the danger of prostate cancer for male dogs.
For many pet owners though, these issues are the last thing on their minds, which could explain why only about 22 per cent of dogs registered with the AVA here are sterilised.
Banker Li Yifen, 28, who has a silky terrier, said: 'I imagine it'll be a traumatic experience, so I don't want to put him through it.'
There are health risks too. For all dogs, regardless of sex, sterilisation done the traditional way - with the removal of the ovaries or testicles - sends the animal into early menopause. Negative side effects include weight gain and mild osteoporosis. But many of these side effects can be treated, said Dr Ly, who supports sterilisation for dogs 'at risk of mating'.
Rationale of microchipping
Each year, some 6,000 dogs and 12,000 cats have to be put to sleep, while about 700 pet owners are fined for keeping unlicensed dogs. .
Minister of State for National Development Heng Chee How gave details at the opening of the Responsible Pet Ownership roadshow on plans to extend micro-chipping to all newly licensed dogs, including locally bred ones; this measure is already in place for imported dogs.
It aims to reduce the number of unwanted litters, deter people from abandoning their pets and increase the likelihood that lost dogs will be reunited with their owners.
The AVA hopes to deter pet abandonment as irresponsible owners can then be traced and enforcement action taken against them. AVA says micro-chipping is also a safe identification system that can help lost pets be returned instead of being put to sleep unnecessarily.
Dog license renewal
Dog licences are valid for a year. Dog owners are responsible for ensuring that their dog licences are renewed annually. AVA sends renewal notices to dog licensees prior to the expiry of the dog licences to remind them to renew their licences on time.
AVA has also revised the penalty for keeping unlicensed dogs, to make it a more effective deterrent against owners who fail to register their dogs.
On sending of reminders As there are more than 50,000 licensed dogs in Singapore, it is not cost-effective for repeated reminders to be sent
Failing to renew dog license
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) officers routinely check on cases of dog owners who have failed to renew their dog licences. Keeping a dog without a valid licence is an offence. The maximum fine upon conviction can be a fine up to $5000.
What if you fail to renew your license?
Here are 2 case studies from an AVA press release
1) Ms Chua
Our records show that the renewal notice was sent to Ms Chua on 21 May 07, prior to the expiry of her licence on 7 Jun 07.
We regret that Ms Chua did not receive the renewal notice. However, as this is the first time that Ms Chua has failed to renew her dog licence, we are prepared to compound the offence and offer a composition sum of $100.
2) Mr Poh
Arising from revisions to the Dog Licensing Rules which came into effect on 1 Sep 07, a dog licence which was not renewed by the due date would have been deemed to expire.
Owners with expired dog licences will have to apply for a new licence. In line with the revised regulations, all newly licensed dogs have to be microchipped. Dog owners were informed of these changes by mail in early Aug 07. As Mr David Poh's case fell into this category, he was compounded $20 as he applied for the new licence shortly after the expiry of his dog’s licence.
Feedback
AVA will be seeking feedback from various groups from pet owners to veterinarians to ensure smooth implementation of measures