77. Singapore Vets "overcharging" to take advantage of the new licensing law?

A journalist, referred by somebody I trust, phoned me to ask about my views about a complaint that vets overcharge for spaying and neutering, being opportunistic in the fact that all dogs must be licensed and microchipped after September 1, 2007. Owners of sterilised male and female dogs need only pay S14.00 instead of $70.00.

"It is utter rubbish of a vocal minority who likes to complain. There are so many vets in Singapore. True-blue Singaporeans know where to get the lowest rates, just by phoning all clinics. Rates are mandated by the authority to be posted on a big notice board in the clinic waiting area and some are accessed at the clinic's website," I said.

"Why don't the Singapore Veterinary Association produce a scale of fees?" she asked.

"Not advisable. It will be equivalent to price-fixing. Have you heard that the Singapore Medical Association had dispensed with this procedure in the last year or two?

"This scale of fees method is deemed a price-fixing practice. What if a doctor wants to charge much lower than the scale of fees---he would be brought up before the Disciplinary Committee for breach of regulations."

"I understand," the other party said.

"I hear that some clinics are full having a long waiting list." the journalist asked.

"I have heard about it too," I said. "How long have you been in journalism? Did you research the cause?"

The journalist said, "I am new to this animal topic and find it very interesting."

"Yes," I said. "Animal stories are always fascinating to many people."

I postulated, "Vocal owners who may be on the waiting list know what to do to avoid being fined $5,000 for not getting a licence at the appropriate time. By appropriate time, they want their dogs to be sterilised first and save some money.



"So they complain to the press about overcharging. The authorities take notice and therefore can be more sympathetic in case they catch such people. An amnesty would be given."

The journalist asked, "Did you have a surge in the number of dogs sterilised? How much?"

"If you compare this month to the same month of last year," I said, "It is 100 percent." Was she impressed?

I said, "The percentage is impressive but the absolute numbers are not what you think!"

The journalist laughed, "I will not quote numbers." It is risky dangerous talking to journalist as there is the danger of being misquoted.

So, are the vets overcharging or not? It is not possible to overcharge because there are more than 25 small animal veterinary practices in Singapore. Free market forces come into play. The dog owner has choices as there is no price-fixing cartel by the vets nor by the government or association. So, this allegation of overcharging is baseless.