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Helpful Pet Adoption Tips, From Singapore Animal Welfare Groups

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Helpful Pet Adoption Tips, From Singapore Animal Welfare Groups

First-time adopters, here’s what you need to know before making that big decision

September 9, 2020
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Credit: @PentiumIII/Twenty20

As animal lovers, we can’t get enough of our cuddly companions and with good reason: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pet owners are more likely to have stronger immune systems, be fitter and have better mental health.

There are plenty of benefits to having an animal companion, especially during stressful times. But having a furry friend is also a big responsibility as pets need a lot of attention, care and love.

If you’ve been thinking about adding a furry (or feathery) friend to your family but don’t know where to start, here are some important advice from local animal welfare groups before you make that big decision.

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Adopt, don’t shop!

That little puppy or kitten may look cute in the pet shop window, but if you are serious about adding an animal to your family, think about adopting one from a shelter. Many people think that because an animal is in a rescue shelter, they’re damaged, but that’s not the case.

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A post shared by SOSD ? (@sosdsingapore)

Dr Siew Tuck Wah, president of Save Our Singapore Street Dogs, says: “There are many misconceptions about shelter animals. For example, some people think they are aggressive, have behavioural problems, and are sick with diseases. There’s also the misconception that they do not make good companions compared to pedigree breeds bought from breeding farms.

In reality, shelter animals can make great pets. Just like any other pet, shelter dogs and cats have their own unique personality. Therefore it is important to get to know the dog or cat, and find a pet which suits your lifestyle.”

Dr Jaipal Singh Gill, executive director of SPCA Singapore, explains that the biggest misunderstanding about shelter animals is that they make poor pets because they were given up by their previous caregivers.

“Many are often misunderstood and perhaps their fears and insecurities were not managed effectively in their previous homes. In some cases, their previous caregivers were simply unable to continue taking care of them. Animals end up in a shelter through no fault of their own. Given a chance, many of them would make amazing companions if provided with the right care, patience and a loving environment,” he says.

What you need to consider before adopting a pet

Thenuga Vijakumar, president of Cat Welfare Society, a local community cat advocacy group, says the most important factor is the family’s ability to provide for the animal for the anticipated duration of its life. “The family must be financially stable enough to provide good quality food, regular veterinary care and invest in toys and other stimulation for the cats’ lives (about 15 to 20 years indoors).”

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A post shared by Cat Welfare Society (@catwelfaresociety)

Similarly, those looking to adopt dogs or other animal companions should consider not only the above points, but also whether their family are on board with the extra responsibility and commitment, and are willing to make lifestyle changes to accommodate their new family member.

“Pet care also extends to the way your family member or pet sitter treats your furkid, your pet’s special needs during their golden years, and whether you have plans to relocate,” says Dr Gill.

Thenuga agrees. “The family must consider their lifestyles and anticipated lifestyles in the future to ensure they have time to spend with the cat,” she says.

The pet adoption process

Of course, the adoption process varies depending on the shelter or charity. For SPCA Singapore, potential adopters must first book an appoint here to visit the animals. “Due to the pandemic, our shelter is closed for walk-ins until further notice. However, all animals looking for their forever homes will be posted on our website,” says Dr Gill.

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A post shared by SPCA Singapore (@spcasingapore)

He also adds that adopters must also be prepared to go through an interview or checks in their homes to ensure that the environment is suitable as a forever home.

At the Cat Welfare Society, which works with independent rescuers and fosterers, interested individuals can reach out to the rehomers featured on group’s platform for a discussion and to enquire about meeting with a potential companion. Like the SPCA, Thenuga says rehomers and fosterers will visit the homes of potential adopters to ensure that the cat “can move over safely”.

Alternatively, one can volunteer with the shelter or charity of their choice. “Activities such as dog walking at a great way to find out if you are comfortable interacting with dogs. Fostering is a fantastic way to volunteer to temporarily give a homeless dog a home until they find a permanent one,” says Dr Siew.

4 questions to ask yourself before getting a pet:

https://www.womensweekly.com.sg/gallery/family/pet-adoption-singapore-helpful-tips-animal-welfare-groups/
Helpful Pet Adoption Tips, From Singapore Animal Welfare Groups
1. Do you work long hours?
image

If you’re constantly working or have unpredictable hours, getting a pet probably isn’t the best decision. They need to be fed, walked and taken care of and that won’t happen if you don’t have the time, especially if you have a hyperactive puppy on your hands.

“Besides the basics of feeding the animal and providing shelter, you have to train it well and make sure it has enough mental stimulation,” says Dr Siew

On the plus side, if the whole family is at home and your kids are old enough to walk the dog without adult supervision, this is a great way to get their daily dose of exercise in.

@hellomikee/Twenty20
2. Are you financially comfortable enough for a pet?
image

According to Dr Gill, the average cost of food, treats and toys, could be approximately $50 to $200 a month. “Vet fees could cost anything from $100 to $10,000 depending on how serious the ailment is and whether surgery is needed. Should there be no major issues, a yearly visit to the vet is sufficient.

Some skin ailments could require regular visits to the vet and, like us humans, seniors require more medical attention. You also need to factor in possible boarding costs if you are going overseas,” he says

Hence, potential adopters should do their research on the maintenance cost before committing themselves to a companion – especially if it’s a dog or cat. “Food costs vary by brand and type. Some adopters may go with raw diets, some with grain-free diets and so on, so the differences in price can be quite vast.”

“Once a cat is older, an annual blood test is also recommended and that should be about $200. In all, I would say adopters should expect to spend about $75 to $150 per cat on a monthly basis for food and litter and an additional $250 a year for medical care,” advises Thenuga.

As for dogs, Dr Siew says feeding a medium-sized canine can cost about $160 on average a month. This can range anything from $100 a year for a healthy diet, to thousands of dollars for a sick dog.

@kirillvasilevcom/Twenty20
3. Is your home pet-friendly?
image

If you already own pets, adding one more isn’t always a great option. When a sibling is involved, animals can fight too so make sure any potential new pet is the right addition.

Also, potential adopters who live in a tiny apartment should note that it’s not an ideal environment for big dogs that need lots of space and exercise.

On the other hand, cat owners have to cat-proof their homes to avoid incidents of felines falling out of windows. Thenuga emphasises this point: “Adopters should research widely on how to make their homes safe for the cat.”

@the_bird_dodo/Twenty20
4. Do you or your family members have existing allergies?
image

Another important factor is ensuring that you or members of your family are not sensitive or allergic to your pet. Allergy sufferers actually react CanF1, a protein found in the saliva and dander of a dog or cat.

To be sure, you can get an allergy test from an ENT specialist, or try being around a cat or dog to see if allergies appear. For instance, Thenuga suggests that cat lovers can try interacting with felines in a reputable cat cafe and attend adoption drives.

@yihchang/Twenty20
Adoption shelters and animal fosterers in Singapore
image

Ready to give an animal companion a forever home? To get you started, here’s a list of adoption shelters, charities and animal fosterers here:

  • SPCA Singapore
  • Cat Welfare Society
  • The Cat Museum
  • Action for Singapore Dogs
  • SOSD Singapore
  • Animal Lovers League Singapore
  • OSCAS Singapore
  • Causes for Animals
  • Kitten Sanctuary Singapore
  • Madam Wong’s Shelter and Friends
  • Mutts & Mittens
  • Hamster Society Singapore
  • Bunny Wonderland
  • House Rabbit Society Singapore

 

Text: Alex Lilly/Now To Love
Additional reporting: Chelsia Tan

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  • TAGS:
  • animal lovers
  • pet adoption
  • pets
  • singapore animal shelters
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