Singapore government to build and rent facilities to animal welfare groups

SINGAPORE government will build and lease facilities to animal welfare groups to operate shelters and pet farms.

The facilities, which will be located in Sungei Tengah and operated by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA), will be leased for monthly rentals when they are ready by end 2017.

"This means they need not raise funds to pay a lump sum to buy land and construct their own facilities,'' AVA said on Monday.

Most of the animal welfare groups and pet farms currently located in Loyang and Seletar will need to move out of their premises when their leases expire by end 2017, as their sites are needed for redevelopment.

AVA assured that there would be sufficient space for the existing number of animals from the animal welfare groups and pet farms in Loyang and Seletar.

"The government-built facilities will ensure that the spaces adhere to animal welfare standards,'' it added.

The new facilities will have two storeys, instead of one, to make more intensive use of the land. There is also scope to plan for sharing of common facilities such as dog runs.

AVA is seeking the views of various stakeholders on the design specifications of the facilities and will continue to engage them.