22 Mar 2017
It is a joy to have a furry buddy as an addition to your family. Here are some considerations to take note of when you are planning to adopt or foster your furry companion.
1. Unconditional Love
“Dogs are a man’s best friend.” They can be confidants during the good and bad times. They will also love you unconditionally.
The idea of wanting a pet may sound enticing but commitment is the key. Apart from loving and feeding your furry bundle of joy, it is important to spend time and energy on your buddy’s emotions and physical needs (space to roam, food, grooming and medical expenditure). Are you ready for it?
Are your family members comfortable with having a pet in the house? This is crucial to ensure that your pet has a loving and friendly environment to grow in. However, if you stay alone, a furry companion can be of solace. Remember to get the help of friends or pet boarding service when you travel.
2. Volunteering
There are various non-profit organisations that care for homeless pets. SOSD is one of Singapore’s volunteer-ran dog shelters. Their mission is to rehabilitate and rehome strays to give them another shot in life. From organising charity events to helping relocate the dogs to creating awareness, these are meaningful activities to help out as you will be the strays’ precious voices. However, if you are unable to volunteer for various reasons, “Becoming a Dog Sponsor” programme allows you to fund an abandoned dog at the shelter. Are you up for the challenge?
3. Fostering
If you are feeling a little more experienced, fostering may be another option for you! SOSD fostering programmes aim to give rescued strays a place to stay during the transition period of looking for a suitable adopter. You will need to commit time, compassion, patience and supporting the dog’s basic needs during the fostering period.
4. Adoption
Choosing adoption over buying a pet give these strays another chance in life. With your love and patience, it can help these animals overcome their past scars and fear which may have cast onto them by their previous owners’ neglect or abuse.
SOSD has a dog adoption portal on their website, stating details of dogs up for adoption. You may like to join their shelter tours which occur bimonthly. It is good to have a checklist of your concerns and always consult the volunteers at SOSD about your interest first.
More information about SOSD can be found here – sosd.org.sg
