Thinking of adopting a pet? There are so many animals for adoption that need a good home, so it’s definitely worth considering before you go to the pet shops. We’ve also got some tips from a vet about what you need know before you get your new cat or dog.
Cinnamon
When making any new friend, you have to put in some effort to earn each other’s trust. The same applies for Cinnamon. Initially, he may seem wary of strangers, but give this shy boy some time, space and patience to familiarise himself with you and you’ll discover that he’s always ready to play, especially if it involves a reward! He loves going on walks and a good tummy rub. With the proper mindset and training skills when handling him, he’s sure to become your best friend forever.
Dhoby
Dhoby is an intelligent and active boy who loves his long, romantic walks with intellectual conversation. He is inclined to happily greet every familiar person he meets with a warm welcome. With force-free counterconditioning training at the right pace, he is learning that being patted on his paws and head is nothing to be afraid of. He requires a family who’ll be able to spend sufficient time with him, in order to continue his training programme.
Yora
Yora is a little shy around strangers, but take some time to get to know her and you’ll be rewarded with a heart-warming smile and her signature head tilt. Besides being a pretty face, she also has a multitude of tricks under her belt. She’s friendly towards other dogs, but prefers to keep her food to herself. Though she can be afraid of loud noises, after some training, Yora is no longer fazed by the sounds of large vehicles in the area. With the right family, she will certainly blossom even more with love.
Dave
Darling Dave is good with people and loves going on walks. He prefers maintaining a distance from other dogs, especially high-energy ones. With positive, reward-based training, he’s learning to stay calm, even if there are other animals in the area. He will need a patient and experienced owner to give him the forever home he deserves.
Alibi
Alibi loves human interaction. His intelligence and great learning ability means he learns new tricks quickly. He’s an active dog who enjoys going for walks and playing a game of fetch. He loves being scratched and massaged on his chin and behind his ears. Due to his nature, he will require an experienced owner to continue his training in his forever home.
About the Shelter
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has been in Singapore since the 1800s. A registered non-profit animal welfare charity, SPCA doesn’t receive funding from the government, relying solely on donations.
Besides promoting adoption, SPCA advocates kindness and the prevention of cruelty to animals, providing 24-hour emergency rescue service and operating a community animal clinic. It also runs a shelter for sick or injured community animals and abandoned and unwanted pets, with an estimated 200 animals under its care at any one time.
Members of the public are encouraged to support the SPCA cause by making a donation, sponsoring an animal or volunteering. For more information or to adopt one of these beautiful dogs, visit spca.org.sg
Advice before you adopt
Once you’ve chosen your new furry friend, it’s worth getting it checked by a vet for a few things first. The Vets for Life team helped us put together a list:
- Any sign of tick fever might mean your dog will not be allowed into another country when the time comes to relocate.
- It also needs to be checked for heartworm, so find out what vaccinations, if any, are required, and what else needs to be done.
- Is it sterilised? Unless you want the pitter-patter of small paws, (or the wrath of the next door neighbour who’s pet has been impregnated) it’s advisable to get this done.
- Luckily, there’s no rabies here, so immigration to most countries is fairly simple, though note that some countries do still request a vaccination.
- Whether your dog is a “Singapore Special” or a pedigree, you’ll need to watch for skin irritations – they’re prevalent here because the increased humidity causes accelerated bacterial growth. Dust mites and grass are the main irritants, though some people believe irritations are linked to the type of food the dog is fed.
- Vets for Life Animal Clinic has two outlets, one in the east and one on River Valley Road. Their internationally trained staff can help you get off to the right start.
Tanjong Katong Road | 6348 8346
Valley Point Shopping Centre | 6732 0273
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