On 2 March 2006, the Agri-food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) issued a statement (published in TODAY newspaper) which stated:

1. Under the `Wild Animals (Licensing) Order, only certain wild animals cannot be kept without a licence.' The AVA went on to say that wild fishes and birds do not require any licence to be kept as pets.

2. The AVA also stated that `for wild animal species not traditionally kept as pets in Singapore such as ferrets, snakes, iguanas and hermit crabs, AVA will evaluate their suitability to be imported in commercial numbers for the pet trade.'

The SPCA has written to the AVA to raise its concerns over this issue. Recently, it was highlighted in the press that reef sharks and a nurse shark were being kept at the Parc Palais condominium. According to AVA's statements, these sharks would fall under the category of not needing a license. This is disturbing for it gives marine traders free rein to sell these animals as pets. These animals are not suitable to be kept as pets due to the size they grow up to. There are clear welfare issues when the animals grow too big for their enclosures. The SPCA has asked the AVA to review the Act to include sharks under the Wild Animals (Licensing) Order.

In 2002, AVA wrote a letter to the Straits Times Forum page titled 'Exotic animals banned for good reason.' This letter mentioned that the AVA has not approved the sale and keeping of reptiles, amphibians or other types of exotic animals as pets. The SPCA has now asked for confirmation that the AVA is still applying this ban and will not consider these animals for importation to be sold commercially as pets. The AVA has responded and said they have noted the SPCA's concerns.

Note: Under the Wild Animals and Birds Act, any person who kills, takes or keeps any wild animal or bird, other than those specified in the Schedule, without a licence shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and to the forfeiture of the wild animal or bird.

In February 2008, the SPCA wrote to the AVA to consider recommending to Parliament to increase the Penalties in the Act so that there will be some deterrent effect on the offenders and that the fines reflect more than a slap on the wrist. The response has been positive - AVA acknowledged that the current penalty of $1,000 may not be adequate. When the Wild Animals and Birds Act is reviewed, the penalty structures may also be revised so that they are commensurate with the type of offences committed.