Speech by MOS Alvin Tan at Pets' Day Out

Jul 26, 2025

A very good morning. I’m here to also bring my family to enjoy Pets’ Day Out, and I know many of you here are also excited about this new park and also to learn a little bit more about what animal welfare is, how we can bond with our animal friends.

Today is also really important because we are here with many of our partners to see what we can do to raise awareness and standards of animal welfare. So let me share more about what we have done, what we are doing and eventually, where we hope to get.

Working with Partners on Improving Animal Welfare

We work very closely with our partners, to fulfil our shared responsibility and commitment to improve animal welfare. 

To raise standards in dog rehoming and training, we established the Rehoming and Adoption Workgroup, or RAWG, supported by AVS, a cluster of NParks, and it brings together veterinarians, welfare groups, and dog trainers.

And we have achieved many milestones together along this journey with RAWG. For example, we identifed gaps in trainer standards and accreditation, and published a comprehensive set of guidelines on dog training and rehabilitation.

We later launched the AVS-Accredited Certified Dog Trainer (ACDT) Scheme in 2022, which recognises internationally accepted, science-based certifications and established a clear benchmark for competency in dog training.

In this way, the ACDT scheme helps pet owners to better identify trainers that conduct training in an effective and science-based manner that prioritises the welfare of their dogs. These achievements are only possible because many of you have given us feedback, and because of the close support of many of our partners.

Collaborating to Review Use of Aversive Training Devices

A key area of attention identified by RAWG is the use of aversive dog training devices, such as electronic shock collars and prong collars. These training devices can cause serious harm to dogs both physically and mentally,They can also pose a safety risk to humans and other animals if they are not operated properly.

In April 2023, AVS conducted focus group discussions with various stakeholders to better understand the public’s views on the use of these aversive training devices.

Most participants supported the need to raise awareness on the risks of aversive training devices, and to promote safer, and more humane alternatives.

At the same time, some participants also acknowledged that there may be certain exceptional circumstances, which warrant the use of such devices, provided that these sessions are administered appropriately by a trained professional.

Now as all of you know, this is a complex issue. To take a deeper look into this, we formed the Dog Training Standards Workgroup last August, co-led by AVS and SPCA. This group brought together veterinarians, welfare groups, dog trainers and representatives from working dog units to share their views.

Their focus is on promoting the adoption of the Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA,) training approach, reviewing the use of training devices like electronic shock collars and prong collars, and developing plans to raise industry standards through education and regulation.

The workgroup met regularly over the past year to discuss these topics at length, acknowledging the differing views on aversive training devices, and the need for greater public education on the associated risks and the availability of less intrusive alternatives.

Launch of Advisory for Aversive Training Devices

Today, I am glad to announce the launch of the workgroup’s Advisory on the Use of Aversive Dog Training Devices.

This advisory focuses on electronic shock collars and prong collars, which pose higher welfare risks when misused. It provides clear, science-based guidance to help dog trainers and pet owners make informed and responsible decisions about training methods. 

Beyond outlining key information on electronic shock collars and prong collars, the advisory also addresses misconceptions and promotes rewards-based training methods through the LIMA approach.

Best practices in animal training should prioritise humane and minimally aversive methods. In essence, we strongly discourage the use of aversive training devices.

At the same time, we strongly encourage the use of positive, rewards-based training methods. These methods help to build trust with our dogs, making them feel safe and confident, while training and teaching them to better adapt to life in our urban environment.

So let me be clear, aversive training devices such as shock and prong collars should be avoided. They should only be considered as a last resort and only by trained professionals or under the supervision of one.

But I’d also like to assure everybody that our work with the Dog Training Standards Workgroup is not yet done. We have just gotten started. The advisory is just one outcome. The workgroup will continue studying different approaches to raise training standards and assess the need for further measures, taking into consideration the outcomes and feedback for the advisory.

AVS is working together with the workgroup to review the need to license the use of animal training devices, as part of the review of Animals and Birds Act.

Our partners play a key role in shaping our approach towards animal training devices, and we are grateful for their valuable insights.

In addition, this Advisory builds on our broader efforts to promote responsible pet ownership and improve animal welfare – our shared responsibility.

AVS has stepped up its efforts in education and outreach, to foster a community that demonstrates empathy and care towards animals. These efforts include school programmes, public webinars, and industry workshops that share science-based approaches to animal care and training.

Next week, AVS will roll out a new dedicated school outreach programme to secondary school students, focusing on understanding canine behaviour.

Students will pick up useful tips about dog behaviour, like signs of stress, responsible pet ownership, training techniques, and can participate in hands-on sessions at the Centre for Animal Rehabilitation, to see their lessons in practice.

Developing empathy and care towards animals starts young – that’s why we have very young people and I brought my primary school-going daughter here as well. It’s very important because from a very young age, we need to imbue what it is like and what it means to be a responsible pet owner, to learn that pets require care, training and shared ownership.

Conclusion

Safeguarding animal welfare is a shared responsibility amongst every one of us in the community.

Whether you’re a professional in the pet sector, a pet owner, or a person who just cares about animals, we encourage you to play your part in learning more about animal welfare and spreading the word.

I am grateful to our partners – I want to thank all of them, as well as my NParks and AVS colleagues for their hard work and dedication towards our collective goal of raising industry standards in the pet sector and cultivating a culture of empathy and care for our animals.

Thank you and have an amazing Pets’ Day Out with your friends and families!