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Updated 05 DEC 2023
The proposed framework on pet cat management in Singapore was announced by Senior Minister of State for National Development Mr Tan Kiat How on Dec 2.
Since 1989, keeping cats in HDB has been illegal and owners may be fined up to $4,000 under the Housing and Development (Animals) Rules.
The proposed changes will be available for further input for the next two months before they are implemented, presumably in the early part of 2024.
What is proposed?
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Only two cats per HDB household.
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Only three cats per private household.
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Each cat needs to be microchipped.
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Each cat needs to be registered/licenced by AVS
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Sterilised cats pay a fee for the licence.
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Unsterilised cats pay a repeated and higher fee for the licence.
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Owners will need to ensure that the cats are kept in a safe environment (e.g. Window grilles).
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Owners will need to keep the cat under control in public (e.g. protected in a hard carrier).
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First-time cat owners to complete an online course on responsible pet ownership before they can be issued a licence.
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There is a transition period of two years:
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Allow cat owners time to meet the requirements (i.e. microchip and sterilise the cats).
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Cat owners with more than 2 cats can apply for licenses and keep all of their existing cats (subject to approval by AVS).
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Licensing is free.
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Low-income households, such as those living in public rental housing, can also get free cat sterilisation and microchipping from 2024.
When the changes take effect after later part of 2024-2025, it will be illegal not to license pet cats, and owners will be subject to penalties like those under regulations for dog owners.
Currently, dog owners can be fined up to $5,000 for not complying with licensing conditions.
GLOBAL WATCH
Atypical Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease - USA
An atypical canine infectious respiratory disease (aCIRD) is causing an outbreak amongst dogs across the United States of America, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
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It could be caused by a new type of bacterial infection that may be very good at evading the canine immune system.
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Currently, full diagnostics panels for known canine respiratory diseases have not yielded significant positive results in infected dogs, and many US veterinary professionals, researchers, and laboratories are baffled.
Video Credit: CBS News: Mysterious dog respiratory illness spreading across US. 23 Nov 2023
Video Credit: NBC News: What we know about the mysterious illness hitting dogs. 6 Dec 2023
The affected dogs reportedly start off with a cough that resembles a kennel cough but last for a long 4- 6 weeks, with teary eyes and sneezing.
This week, the researchers at the University of New Hampshire’s Veterinary Diagnosis Laboratory and the Hubbard Center for Genome Studies reported that they may have identified the pathogen that might be making these dogs sick.
The researchers amassed and compared genetic sequencing of samples from an initial group of 30 infected dogs from New Hampshire last year and another 40 infected dogs from Rhode Island and Massachusetts this year, and concluded that they have discovered the culprit, a previously unknown germ.
Dr. David Needle, pathology section chief at the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture at the University of New Hampshire said: The culprit is “smaller than a normal bacterium in its size and in the size of its genome. Long story short, it is a weird bacterium that can be tough to find and sequence.”
There are no diagnostic tests available to identify the bacterium in-clinic currently.
Symptoms commonly seen in infected dogs include:
A) Persistent coughing, sneezing, loss of bark, lethargy, poor appetite, laboured breathing, and fever.
B) Respiratory system inflammation that is only slightly or not responsive to antibiotic treatments is common.
C) Progressing to chronic pneumonia that is only slightly or not responsive to antibiotics.
D) A sudden onset or acute pneumonia that rapidly becomes severe and often leads to severe illness or possibly death in as little as 24 to 36 hours.
So far there is little indication of a zoonotic risk.
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There are no signs of this disease in Singapore at the time of publication.
Nevertheless, we recommend that owners:
A) Vaccinate their pet dogs with:
i) Bordetella bronchiseptica
ii) Canine adenovirus, and
iii) Canine, parainfluenza virus
iv) Canine influenza viruses (H3N2 and H3N8)
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B) Get a full diagnostic panel from canine respiratory diseases done if there are symptoms, to determine the actual cause of your pet dog’s respiratory condition.
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C) To avoid areas that congregate a lot of dogs, e.g. dog parks, dog café, and boarding, especially for puppies, and unvaccinated dogs.
Treatment for the known pathogens that cause canine respiratory diseases usually resolves within 2-3 weeks at most.
Owners should work closely with their veterinarians and update them if their coughing dogs have symptoms that are worsening rapidly or remain unresolved despite medication after 2 weeks.
Attribution 1.https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/mystery-dog-illness-respiratory-what-know-rcna125992 2.https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/11/21/dogs-respiratory-illness-symptoms-states/ https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/mystery-illness-affecting-dogs-across-united-states-2023-11-29/ 3.https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-11-22/mysterious-dog-respiratory-illness-los-angeles-county-cases 4. AVS
WARM WEATHER KEYNOTES

The daily average temperature in Singapore is about 32° warmest /26°C coolest.
The highest daily maximum temperature of 36.3°C at Admiralty on Oct. 9, 2023
It is too hot and humid to exercise your dogs in the afternoon, especially if your dogs have extra blubber and long fluffy fur coat which does not allow efficient heat dissipation.
Please increase the water intake for your cats and dogs by adding water to canned food or cooked food.
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If your pet has kidney issues OR requires fluid therapy due to other medical conditions:
Please ensure that they have adequate water intake (whether via oral intake or subcutaneous therapy) and are kept cool.
If you suspect that your pets have succumbed to the weather, seek immediate medical attention.
Encourage your parrots to shower and eat more fresh vegetables and fruits.
Cool your rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and rodents by providing half frozen water bottles.
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Please ensure that your pets drink cooled water throughout the day, before and after any outdoor adventures.
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Add ice cubes into fresh drinking water to encourage drinking.
Turn on the fan for your pets, especially when you are not at home.
CLASSES
TBA

DOG CARE PART 1
DATE TBA
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Basic anatomy
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Nutrition
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Behavioural
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First Aid

BEING A PET CUSTODIAN
DATE TBA
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For new pet owners that are thinking of acquiring a parrot, dog, cat or small mammals like rabbit and guinea pig as pets.

CAT CARE PART 1
DATE TBA
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Basic anatomy
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Nutrition
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Behavioural
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First Aid

BE THE INDISPENSABLE VET ASSISTANT
DATE TBA
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Why Get Involved?
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Real Life versus Expectation
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Basic Physiology & Husbandry

PARROT CARE PART 1
DATE TBA
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Basic Anatomy
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Nutrition & Foraging
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Faecal Assessment
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MENTAL WELLNESS OF ANIMAL CUSTODIANS
DATE TBA
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Understanding Mental Wellness
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Self Care Steps
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Learning to Say "No"
LOCATION
Blk 703 Bedok Reservoir Road
#01-3508 Singapore 470703
CONTACT
Tel: 6243 3282
(By Appointment Only)
Email: lightoflifevet@live.com.sg
OPERATING HOURS
MON & WED & SUN
5 pm to 10 pm
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THURS TO SAT
2 pm to 4 pm, 5 pm to 10 pm
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CLOSED TUES
& ALL PUBLIC HOLIDAYS