At first glance, rows of empty cages at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) might appear to signal success – animals adopted into loving homes and shelters finally catching a breather. But behind the quieter kennels lies a more troubling reality: pressure within Singapore’s animal rescue system is intensifying, not easing.
Empty cages do not always mean fewer animals. Instead, many shelters are operating at or near capacity in less visible areas, caring for animals that require intensive medical treatment, long-term rehabilitation or specialised attention. These cases demand more time, manpower and money, stretching already thin resources.
SPCA is part of a broader network of animal welfare groups that form the backbone of Singapore’s rescue ecosystem. While the government, through the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) under the National Parks Board (NParks), sets policies and enforces animal welfare laws, much of the frontline rescue work falls to charities, shelters, fosterers and community caregivers. Most of them rely heavily on donations and volunteers – a model that is showing signs of strain.
The fragility of this system was highlighted by the struggles of Animal Lovers League, one of Singapore’s largest and longest-running shelters, which lost its tenancy at The Animal Lodge in Sungei Tengah last year following rental arrears and allegations of neglect. The episode renewed questions about whether charities and individuals can continue absorbing growing demand without stronger structural support.
Several organisations point to rising animal intake, declining adoptions and escalating costs as common pressures. At the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES), which marks its 25th year as a wildlife sanctuary, staff exhaustion forced the organisation to end its 24-hour rescue hotline in 2024 after about 15 years of round-the-clock operations.
“It’s not sustainable,” said ACRES chief executive Kalai Vanan Balakrishnan, citing burnout and staff attrition. Despite shorter operating hours, demand continues to climb. Calls to ACRES rose from 13,407 in 2023 to a record 16,459 last year, while the number of animals rescued increased to 3,763.
Each call requires manpower, even if it does not result in a rescue. Monthly operating costs stand at about S$150,000, driven largely by salaries and animal care. Annual expenditure has risen sharply, from S$1.18 million in 2022–23 to S$2.05 million last financial year. Salaries remain the single biggest cost, reflecting the need for paid staff in a city where volunteer-only models are unrealistic.
Long-term care presents another challenge. ACRES currently houses about 130 exotic animals that cannot be released locally, including endangered pig-nosed turtles awaiting repatriation to Indonesia – a process slowed by paperwork, genetic testing and transport costs. Space constraints have become acute, prompting ACRES to expand its Jalan Lekar facility after receiving approval to use previously contaminated land at the rear.
At SPCA, adoption rates have plunged by about 75 per cent, from 979 in 2019 to around 250 in 2025. With fewer animals leaving, the shelter must limit intake and prioritise emergency rescues, many involving geriatric or critically ill animals that require extensive care. Operating expenses have climbed above S$4.5 million last year, while income has fallen to about S$5.6 million. Spending on animal feed alone quadrupled within a year.
Other groups face similar struggles. Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD) has seen veterinary costs rise more than 30 per cent since 2022, now accounting for over half its annual expenditure. With adoptions falling, ASD plans to vacate one of its five rented units to cut costs.
Some organisations focus on prevention rather than sheltering. The Cat Welfare Society (CWS), which operates without a shelter, works upstream through sterilisation programmes to reduce overpopulation. But abandonment remains a persistent problem, often driven by human behaviour and changing priorities. Fosterers, too, feel the strain as cats stay longer in homes due to slower adoptions and regulatory limits on pet numbers.
The government says the situation is on its radar. Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan recently said strengthening partnerships with animal welfare groups is a priority, highlighting initiatives such as adoption programmes and infrastructure upgrades at The Animal Lodge. Charities can also tap the Charities Capability Fund to improve operational efficiency.
Still, welfare groups say more targeted help is needed – from subsidised veterinary services and predictable funding to practical support like lower compliance costs. Beyond finances, emotional exhaustion among staff and volunteers remains a silent burden.
As one rescuer put it, these charities are doing work “nobody else wants to do”. Without systemic reinforcement, the risk is that Singapore’s animal rescue safety net – already stretched – may fray further, with consequences borne by the animals it exists to protect.
