Community Cat TNRM Programme Outcomes and Strengthening Outreach to Support Responsible Caregiving

49 Mr David Hoe asked the Minister for National Development (a) how has the community cat Trap-Neuter-Rehome/Release-Manage (TNRM) programme fared since its rollout in September 2024, including the take-up of (i) trapping (ii) sterilisation, and (iii) microchipping support; and (b) whether the Animal and Veterinary Service will consider providing more proactive outreach and clearer guidance to support responsible caregiving and strengthen opt-in traceability arrangements for caregiver-linked microchipped community cats.

Mr Chee Hong Tat: In partnership with participating animal groups, more than 3,000 cats have been sterilised and microchipped under the Trap-Neuter-Rehome/Release-Manage programme as of March 2026. The Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) has worked with stakeholders including animal groups, veterinarians, community cat caregivers, agencies and Town Councils to develop guidelines for responsible community cat caregiving and to carry out sterilisation and microchipping drives. These draft guidelines are available on AVS' website.