SINGAPORE, Aug. 31 -- More than 111,000 pet cats have been licensed in Singapore as the two-year transition period under the country's Cat Management Framework ended yesterday.

AsiaOne reported that Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan said the figure had risen from about 66,000 in July, when around seven in 10 pet cats had been licensed.

"Big thanks to all cat owners who stepped forward to microchip and license your pet cats during this period!" Tan said in a Facebook post on August 31.

He said microchipping and licensing would improve traceability and owner accountability while making it easier to identify and reunite lost cats with their owners.

The Cat Management Framework, implemented by the National Parks Board's...