Debated in Parliament on 3 Mar 2023.
Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether he can provide an update on the Ministry's assessment of the efficacy and limitations of the Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage (TNRM) programme for stray dogs as it nears the five-year mark; (b) what is the estimated number of stray dogs that have been sterilised under the TNRM programme; and (c) whether the TNRM programme is planned to continue or expand past its five-year mark.
In November 2018, then-AVA launched the Trap-Neuter-Rehome/Release-Manage (TNRM) programme, in partnership with animal welfare groups, veterinarians and the community. The TNRM programme is a humane and science-based method to manage the free-roaming dog population through sterilisation.
The National Parks Board (NParks) assesses that the TNRM programme has been effective. Over half of the 3,600 dogs under the programme have been sterilised and successfully rehomed or fostered. The number of cases of public feedback on free-roaming dogs has also decreased by more than 60% since the launch of the TNRM programme.
NParks will continue efforts to improve the rehabilitation and rehoming outcomes for sterilised dogs under the TNRM programme. For example, suitable dogs are enrolled into a canine behaviour rehabilitation programme at the Centre for Animal Rehabilitation, to help them better adapt to home environments. We appreciate the contributions of our animal welfare group partners, veterinarians and the community to the TNRM programme thus far. NParks is monitoring the TNRM programme and will assess the need to extend it beyond the five-year timeline.
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