Animal Welfare Groups' Involvement in Trap-Neuter-Rehome/Release-Manage Programme

18 Ms Lee Hui Ying asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Ministry or Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) works with Animal Welfare Groups (AWGs) on the operations of the Trap-Neuter-Rehome/Release-Manage programme; and (b) if so, whether consultations take place between the AWGs and AVS before every trapping operation.

The Minister of State for National Development (Mr Alvin Tan) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, my answer will also address related questions for written answer by Ms Diana Pang and Mr Kenneth Tiong, scheduled for subsequent Sittings.

Sir, since 2018, the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) has worked with its partners on the Trap-Neuter-Rehome/Release-Manage (TNRM) programme to manage the free-roaming dog population in Singapore.

Our TNRM partners play key roles, including conducting trapping and sterilisation operations. Upon identification of an unsterilised free-roaming dog, AVS will work with the TNRM partner responsible for the designated area to commence trapping operations.

In situations that present risk to public safety, AVS will intervene swiftly. For instance, in the case of the recent trapping operation at Seletar West Farmway 8 on 14 November 2025, AVS' animal management contractor was activated to trap and remove three free-roaming dogs, which were confirmed by several victims to have been involved in multiple chasing and biting incidents. The operation was carried out safely under the supervision of AVS staff and is in line with existing protocols under TNRM. This includes complying with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) standards on Stray Dog Population Control to ensure that uncovered wire loops or ropes were not used during the trapping process and also giving due consideration to personnel and animal safety in determining the restraint procedures.

AVS will continue to work closely with TNRM partners in the management of free-roaming dogs to safeguard both public safety and well-being of the dogs. AVS colleagues and I visited our partners last week to discuss ways we can better collaborate moving forward. For instance, we intend to review joint protocols and further improve communication and coordination. These build on existing collaboration channels, such as TNRM rehoming efforts, outreach and AVS-led adoption drives.

Mr Speaker: Ms Lee Hui Ying. We are almost at the end of Question Time, so keep your supplementary question short.

Ms Lee Hui Ying (Nee Soon): Thank you, Mr Speaker, and thank you, Minister of State for the comprehensive reply. I have two supplementary questions.

First, what is the nature of such discussions with the different Animal Welfare Groups (AWGs) prior to, perhaps, trapping operations? Behind every animal held is a human and an AWG where they celebrate every rescue, recovery and adoption and feeling the grief when an animal suffers. The work is built on care, and it has not been easy. At the same time, I have also personally interacted with so many dedicated AVS and National Parks Board (NParks) officers, so I wanted to do a special thanks for their commitment for this constant work with the AWGs to rehome animals and balance the competing needs with care and professionalism.

The second question really is then: can the Minister of State provide an assessment on the effectiveness of the TNRM programme so far? I am heartened to know that a review is due. So, what will this review entail and how will it be done? I hope and I urge AVS and NParks to continue working closely with the AWGs to further improve the TNRM methods.

Mr Alvin Tan: Sir, I thank the Member for her continued support for our TNRM efforts and also working very closely with the AWGs.

Indeed, there is a lot of discussion and collaboration between AVS and the AWGs, and that is why we are also refining the TNRM protocols. That includes the management of free-roaming dogs, the review of various trapping measures and also, how to further improve coordination and collaboration between AVS and our TNRM partners. That also includes streamlining feedback channels and conducting regular stakeholder engagements and workshops. In fact, when I visited them on Friday, I encouraged them to join our TNRM workshop that is scheduled for 15 January, which is Thursday. I am very happy that many of our partners will be joining this TNRM workshop for us to continue to refine these processes.

On the effectiveness of the TNRM programme, while Members might know that it started in 2018, we have thus far trapped 4,470 dogs, rehomed 2,048 dogs and sterilised 80% of the free-roaming dog population. That is above our target of 70% and that has resulted in a reduction of 80% of feedback cases. So, we will continue to continue to work with our TNRM partners to further refine these processes for the well-being of our dogs.

1.38 pm

Mr Speaker: Order. End of Question Time. Clarification by Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs.

[Pursuant to Standing Order No 22(3), provided that Members had not asked for questions standing in their names to be postponed to a later Sitting day or withdrawn, written answers to questions not reached by the end of Question Time are reproduced in the Appendix.]