• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
GET OUR NEWSLETTER

Lifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living HomepageLifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Schools
      • Property
      • Work And Business
      • Finance
      • For Guys
      • Environment
        • Wedding in SingaporeLove in the time of COVID
        • Child with special needsOccupational Therapy for a Child with Special Needs
        • How to get married in SingaporeHow to get married in Singapore
        • HomeOutdoor Living at this West Coast house
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • cdn.cliqueinc.com__posts__258676__june-horoscopes-2018-258676-1527175331570-image-dd084e9663a848659b54ab1d44e8913aYour Horoscopes for the Month of February!
        • Wyn-Lyn-Tan-FOST-Gallery-a-matter-of-timeWhat’s on this week and beyond
        • Image showing things to do in Singapore Garden By The BayFun Things To Do In Singapore
        • book shops in SingaporeBook shops and cafes bookworms will love
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • Child with special needsOccupational Therapy for a Child with Special Needs
        • ServiceSchool activities with a lot of heart
        • kidsChildren’s shops & websites for kids’ clothes, toys etc.
        • kids' furnitureSeriously cool kids’ furniture
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Decor
      • Readers’ Homes
      • Furniture
        • Arete fabric and soft furnishingsWhere to buy cushions & soft furnishings in Singapore
        • Originals furniture onlineHome shopping online & top home décor picks!
        • HomeOutdoor Living at this West Coast house
        • kidsChildren’s shops & websites for kids’ clothes, toys etc.
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Asia
      • Australia & New Zealand
      • Rest Of World
      • News
      • Travel Offers
        • DuxtonBest hotels for a staycation in Singapore
        • ThailandBest short breaks from Singapore
        • family-friendly resort family vacation boat12 great spots for a family vacation
        • Singaproe islands8 Easy Island Trips off Singapore
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • best breakfast spots brunch cafe tiong bahru bakery diner19 of the best breakfast spots on the island!
        • chiffon cake recipeAfternoon Tea – Pandan Chiffon Cake Recipe
        • good curry best indian restaurantsReviews: Indian restaurants we loved!
        • Rooftop bar - ArtemisBest rooftop bars in Singapore
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
      • Beauty Offers
        • Yours CLoud FactoryLatest beauty products, makeup and more!
        • laser treatment singapore10 laser treatments to try
        • Luxe Acne treatmentSkincare products for acne and pimples
        • best non surgical facelift plastic surgeryFacelift: is there a painless option?
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • heavy periods menorrhagia treatmentHeavy periods: How your GP can help
        • comparing health insurance in Singapore doctor and coupleThree tips for comparing health insurance plans
        • COVID-19 vaccination vaccine doctor and womanFAQs about COVID-19 vaccinations
        • longest triathlon singaporeBreaking a record for the longest triathlon!
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • BOOKS
    • Close
Home » Living in Singapore » Living here » Is pet adoption the right choice for your family?

Is pet adoption the right choice for your family?

15th February 2018 by Expat Living 6 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/pet-adoption-singapore-dog/

Singapore’s stray animal population remains a big issue, and adopting is vital. Three Expat Living editors share their experiences with pet adoption and explain why they chose to give forever homes to local dogs.

Susannah’s story

Susannah Jaffer and her fiancé Entheo Leung adopted Doodle in 2014, when she was two years old, from Save Our Street Dogs (SOSD).

pet adoption in Singapore
Susannah with Doodle

Why did you decide to adopt?

Being aware of the stray dog situation in Singapore, I just felt the morally right thing to do would be to adopt. My fiancé and I decided to visit an adoption drive at SOSD to help us make up our minds. I had seen Doodle’s profile on the website and I liked the sound of her temperament, so I made a mental note to look out for her, though I didn’t mention it to my other half.

On the day, after finishing a conversation with a volunteer, I looked up to find my boyfriend sitting happily on the other side of the shelter with none other than Doodle! I still think it was fate.

Did you have any concerns?

My key concern was how Doodle would fit into our daily routine, as both of us work full-time with no help. The fact that there is a homestay trial period meant we felt less worried about the process – if things truly didn’t work out we could either get training help or give her back to the shelter so she could find a more suitable home. Luckily, she was a perfect fit, being a low- to medium-energy dog, and so satisfied with her early morning and evening walks.

animal adoption in Singapore
“After meeting Doodle, I had my heart set on making her part of our family, and the team at SOSD were incredibly helpful and with us every step of the way”

What should people be aware of when adopting?

I’ve heard some people get put off by the adoption screening procedure, but I think it’s fair and necessary to ensure all the family are on board and that your home and attitude are suitable. After meeting Doodle, I had my heart set on making her part of our family, and the team at SOSD were incredibly helpful and with us every step of the way. I’d advise others to take note that if you like to travel, you can’t just up and go, unless you have live-in help, have a willing friend to look after your fur-kid, or are happy to pay the extra cash for boarding.

How is life with Doodle?

Doodle is a fantastic companion, and she has brought balance to our otherwise hectic routines. We’re far more fit and active now, too. I’d love to adopt again eventually, but I think she’ll be the one choosing the dog! sosd.org.sg

Amy Brook-Partridge’s story

Amy Brook-Patridge, husband James and children Tabitha and Maggie adopted Pickle from SOSD in 2014, when he was around 4 months old.

pet adoption in Singapore
Amy, Tabitha and Maggie with Pickle

Why did you decide to adopt?

The idea of adoption for us was a no-brainer; we knew there were plenty of great rescue dogs here that needed a loving home. We had tentatively looked into purchasing dogs, but pet farms here were a nogo for us, and importing a dog from elsewhere was way out of our budget.

What research did you do into adoption?

Having young children – Tabitha was six and Maggie was three at the time of adoption – one of my main concerns was that the dog we adopted had the right temperament. Finding out about SOSD’s adoption process was a great relief, as we learnt that the team makes house visits both pre- and post-adoption. They also insist on a one-week settling-in period, which gives both the dog and the family time to work out if they are the right fit.

We also looked into the process of bringing a pet back to the UK when we eventually repatriate. We were never going to be a family that left our dog behind, so we had to look at all the options, including how much it would cost us, to ensure we were ready to take on the responsibility.

Why did you choose this dog?

We attended about three different adoption drives, and it was at the last one that we met Pickle. The place was pretty chaotic, with dogs inside and out being met and handled by a lot of visitors; some were getting pretty stressed out. Pickle just sat there placidly having his head stroked – his calm character amongst the chaos had us sold.

animal adoption in Singapore
“We really couldn’t imagine our life without him, and, quite honestly, sometimes he’s the best behaved out of the Brook-Partridge bunch!”

We found out that he was discovered on an industrial estate, and he and his two sisters had had their tails docked. They also contracted parvovirus, an often-fatal disease for dogs – one of his sisters did indeed die. When we met him at SOSD he was just recovering from treatment. After hearing such a history for a dog who’d only been alive for four short months, there was no way we couldn’t take him home.

Was it everything you expected?

Our gentle giant has been the perfect addition to our family – to be honest, because of his low-energy temperament and calm nature, I feel like we’ve had an easy ride of it. It’s trite, but we really couldn’t imagine our life without him, and, quite honestly, sometimes he’s the best behaved out of the Brook-Partridge bunch!

Amy Greenburg’s story

Amy Greenburg and husband Evan adopted Jack Russell terrier Lucy in 2014, from Causes for Animals Singapore (CAS). They had already adopted Jack Russell Gary from New York, and have since had son Oliver, now two, and are expecting their second child.

pet adoption in Singapore
“Adopting dogs is one of the best things we’ve ever done. The unconditional love and constant companionship they provide is truly the best!”

Why did you decide to adopt?

I grew up with a rescue dog, so I never even considered another route when it came to pets. To me, it feels unethical to buy a dog when there are so many animals in desperate need of homes. While living in New York City in 2006, Evan and I went out to buy a television one day and stumbled upon an adoption shelter along the way. We fell in love with Gary, and ended up home that night with a dog (and a television)! It was love at first sight, and we’ve never regretted our spontaneous decision. We always knew we’d want to rescue another pup so, once we were settled in Singapore and had the extra help, we decided it was the right time. We were hoping to find another Jack Russell Terrier and, sure enough, we did!

What research did you do?

I frequently checked Facebook pages and websites for organisations such as CAS and Save Our Street Dogs. Evan and I also visited some shelters to meet dogs in person and get a better idea of their size and temperament. After spotting Lucy online, Christine from CAS brought her over to meet us that week. Once we saw that she got along with Gary, we knew we would never give up sweet Lucy!

animal adoption in Singapore

What were your concerns?

When you adopt, you don’t know the dog’s background, and whether he or she was previously abused, which could lead to behavioural issues. When we adopted Gary, it was clear he had had a rough start, so it took some extra love and care, and some discipline. But it was well worth it, and he was quick to adjust once he saw the love we had to offer him. Lucy was easy and comfortable with us from day one – in fact, it almost seemed too easy!

How has adopting changed your life?

Adopting dogs is one of the best things we’ve ever done. The unconditional love and constant companionship they provide is truly the best! Our toddler adores both pups, and we love the fact that he’s growing up in an environment where he’s comfortable with and compassionate towards animals.

causesforanimals.com

For more information on adopting in Singapore, including a listing of animal shelters, go to our article on how to adopt a pet.

Categories: Living here Living in Singapore Tags: dogs Pet adoption Pets

Expat Living

Expat Living has everything to help you make the most of living in Singapore! We've got information on neighbourhoods, things to do and see, dining, entertainment, schools, travel, fashion, furniture, finance, health and beauty. And more!

You May Also Like

Outdoor Living at this West Coast house

Love in the time of COVID

stop mosquitoes entering your home

Stop mosquitoes entering your home!

Primary Sidebar

Expat Living Singapore 🇸🇬

expatlivingsg

Open
Photographs are some of our most prized possessions so we wanted you to meet Tekkie Help experts Sarah and Bo who are passionate about helping people keep photos (and data) safe. 

They feel that organising, managing and protecting our digital photos should be a top priority. Their number one piece of advice...create a centralised location where photos are stored in full-size resolution. 

Click on our stories for a handy guide to creating a Digital Photo Hub of your own 📷
Open
** Friday Giveaway**

Are you looking to revitalise your skin? 🤔
Well, today is your lucky day! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
We have TWO Visible-repair Replenishing Eye Cream and Galvanic Intensifier sets from @flesette to give away!

Bring the spa to your home with this great bundle, which consists of two tubes of eye cream and the reusable Intensifier, which attaches to the eye cream and gently vibrates and massages the thin, sensitive skin around the eyes, improving absorption and helping to turn back the clock! 

Use it to combat any or all of the below:

PREMATURE AGEING ⏳
 
DULL SKIN 😑
 
FINE LINES + WRINKLES 👵🏻

EYE BAGS + DARK CIRCLES 🐼

How to join? 
1. Follow @expatliving and @flesette 
2. Tag a friend who you want to give the other set to 
3. Go to expatliving.sg/VRRECGIS and enter your details 

Giveaway ends 4 March. Good luck! 
 
*
*
*
*
*
#expatlivingsg 
#youthfulskin 
#Flesette 
#singapore 
#expatlife 
#fridaygiveaway 
#beautifulskin
Open
No doubt you’ve been out walking around Singapore more than usual lately and maybe you’ve noticed more plants than you do when zipping by in a car, but what are they exactly? 

There are so many different types of flowers, trees and other plants in Singapore – some are native, but heaps have been imported over the years. 

Take a look on our stories for a handful of pretty pics and a cool website link from NParks to satisfy your curiosity.

Here are some interesting facts about plant numbers in Singapore...

• 4712 flora species
• 88 tree families
• 1,689 tree species
• 259 heritage trees

🌸 🌳 🪴
Open
Order your copy of the March issue here 👉 expatliving.sg/mag/ig

Inside, we feature our best finds to make your bedroom look and feel great. Check out two renovated homes, get an insider’s view of Siglap, and discover useful tips and trends on the property rental market and plenty more, including delicious Mexican food, top quality meat, cool fashion, fab facials and fragrances to try. 

📕 Plus, there's a bonus mini guide on Preschools!
Open
Now facelifts can be non-surgical and non-invasive which we love.

This facelift in Singapore uses painless High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU).

How it works.....
HIFU uses ultrasound technology to reach three different depths of the skin, in order to deliver focused beams of 60 to 70 degrees Celsius without disrupting the skin surface. These beams will melt the fats in the face, while tightening the skin and boosting collagen production; this allows your skin to continually lift and tone after the treatment. 

We thought this was super cool so we tried it out. Read the full review on our stories
Open
If you’ve just arrived (or been here a while) and wondering where to buy furniture in Singapore, we’ve pulled together this huge list of the best furniture shops on the red dot for you to start on! 

This comprehensive guide to Singapore furniture stores covers all areas, budgets and decorating tastes. 

There’s furniture shops for Asian, contemporary, chic, recycled and vintage furniture. So, whether you’re after a good sofa, antique lamp, modern dining table or a cute kid’s bed, grab a coffee and get scrolling via the link on our stories
Open
** Friday Giveaway**

Win a fabulous Glam Makeover & a 1 to 1 Makeup Workshop worth $350! 

How to join? 🤔

👉🏻Follow @expatlivingag and @falakamaar 
👉🏻tag the person who you want to win- it can also be you! 
It’s that easy! 

Falak Amaar is a Singapore based MUA trained and certified by celebrity Makeup artists (for Kim Kardashian, Ariana Grande to name a few) Mario Dedivanovic and Samer Khouzami (aka the king of contouring)

She loves to share the techniques she has learnt from the Makeup Maestros in 1 to 1 as well as group makeup workshops and uses them to create the most natural to the most transformative looks.

She regularly posts videos for simple makeup tips and tricks on her Instagram & Facebook Page along with the stunning makeup looks she creates for her clients.
*
*
*
*
*
#makeup
#Falakaar 
#expatlivingsg
#singapore 
#expats
#beautifulmakeup 
#makeupartistsg
Open
In Singapore, the year-round summer weather means you can’t do without swimwear, and you’ll need a few. It’s a hard life! 

Whether you are wondering where to buy a bikini or a full swimsuit, or even something more sporty for swimming laps there’s a good range of shopping options. 

The round up (link on our stories) includes the best online and physical stores to buy swimwear for women of all shapes and sizes 👙
Open
After four years in Kampong Bahru, local eyelash extensions studio The Lash Company has shifted to a bigger and brighter space in Holland Village! We visited the new salon to review their eyelash extensions service.

Read the reviews on our stories
Open
Looking for a house in Singapore? 

We asked the Expat Team at real estate company Knight Frank to give us some insider tips for a home search and to reflect on some of the property trends arising from the COVID-19 situation. 

What’s the current situation if you want to lease an apartment, and how difficult is it to find a house to rent now. 

Read the full story on our stories now
Open
Happy Valentine’s Day from the Expat Living Team ❤️

All we really need is love, but if you do fancy something else then we have fun trivia, gift ideas and some lovely dining options on our stories
Open
🏮 Gong Xi Fa Cai to all our friends celebrating Chinese New Year!
Open
What would make a doctor like DR MENKA GUPTA transform herself into a functional medicine practitioner and nutritionist in Singapore? 

Her lifelong passion for healing is the answer – and she hasn’t looked back. Born and raised in Lucknow, India, she knew from the age of three that she wanted to be a doctor. After years of working as a specialist in the fields of gastroenterology, general medicine and gynaecology in leading hospitals in the UK, India and Singapore, she joined the Institute for Functional Medicine in 2012, and established Nutra Nourish here five years ago. 

Dr Menka is the the only IFM certified practitioner (IFMCP) in South Asia (there are less than 1,000 globally) 

Read the full article in our stories
Open
Noticed all the lanterns and bright lights across Chinatown? 

Yep, it’s that time of the year again! Chinese New Year is in full force in Singapore, so we’ve listed some great events and handy tips for you to experience a truly authentic, fun and prosperous start to the Year of the Ox 🐂 🍊 🧧 

Check out our guide (link on stories) of what to do (and also what not to do!)
Open
Striking a stylish downward dog in yoga or a perfect squat when working out needn’t only be about flexibility. 

Now there’s a selection of trendy and stylish active wear to inspire us at the same time! 

Yumi Active offers a range of uber-sleek, re-imagined performance gear. With active wear with gorgeous designs, bold prints and ethnic motifs, the brand is certainly getting us motivated with the right kit to get fit

Check them out on our stories
Open
Our CNY Sale starts today! Grab a year's subscription for just $29 (usually $82.80). Visit 👉 expatliving.sg/sale/IG 

🎁 If you'd like to buy this as a gift, go to expatliving.sg/sale/gift/IG

You'll get free access to the digital edition on the Magzter app too!

.
#expatlivingsg #expatliving #sgexpat #expatsg #igsg #sgdining #sghome #sgsales
Open
**FRIDAY GIVEAWAY**

Penhaligon's the luxurious British perfume house, that was founded in the late 1860s by William Henry Penhaligon, the perfumer to Queen Victoria, is giving away Changing Constance worth $420

Who is Constance?
Constance is what one might call A Very Modern Woman. She has no regard for custom, and does exactly as she likes. Cool cardamom, hot pimento, salted caramel – her contrary perfume breaks every rule!

To win, just follow and like @penhaligons_london , tag a friend and then click on the link in our stories to enter. 👈🏼
It’s that easy!
Good Luck and be like Constance!
❤️

#perfume
#giveawayfriday
#expatlivingsg
#panhaligons
#changingcandice
#noughtybutnice
#singapore
Open
Considered to be the most common cancers in women globally, breast cancer is a serious health issue that can happen to almost anyone. 

We may be more educated about the condition now but there are still breast cancer myths that can mislead and scare us unnecessarily. 

Here, the team at UEX debunk some of these myths, plus tell us how screening and treatment can be covered by health insurance (link in our stories)
Open
If you’ve spied an Insta-worthy floral arrangement that immediately had you wondering who designed it and where it came from, chances are you were looking at one of the arrangements of The Floral Atelier. 

According to the company’s floral artisans, designing a beautiful bunch of flowers is as much a science as it is an art. That may explain why they say it takes more than just a “good eye” to create their particular arrangements.

The Floral Atelier’s founder LELIAN CHEW is widely regarded as an authoritative figure in luxury events and florals – to the point where she’s been hailed as the “Million Dollar Wedding Planner” on a BBC documentary! Lelian gave us the lowdown about her creative process and how she and the team design their show-stopping products @thefloralatelier.co @lelianchew 

Link in our stories 🌸
Open
Navigating your daughters’ preteen years is probably one of the most difficult periods of parenting – for you and them. 

Issues around lack of confidence, body image and low self-esteem can start to surface during these years. With the added potential stresses of cyberbullying and social media usage, the pressure is real and the impact on families can be overwhelming. 

Empowering young girls (and boys, of course) is your responsibility as a parent, and it may mean having a guide or a mentor to help them through these preteen and teen issues. 

Establishing emotional literacy from a young age can positively impact how your daughter copes in life, right through to adulthood.

Ramita Anand the founder of Elevate.RA, spoke to us about the ways she helps mentor young girls to make sense of themselves and the world around them....
read the full article in the link in our stories
  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2021 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.