The Nationwide (Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage) TNRM programme was launched by Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) in November 2018. Even though SOSD and several other Animal Welfare Groups were already focusing efforts on neutering as many dogs as we could in the years before that, the concerted effort from everyone since 2018 had made a great impact in the dogs we are now receiving at the shelter.
Perhaps more people are now choosing to adopt. In the past couple of years, many of the sociable dogs at shelter have been adopted to loving homes. Even the ones that are slow to warm up have found homes with some additional effort and patience from volunteers and adopters.
You know that TNRM is working, when there are more people wanting to adopt dogs than dogs that are ready for adoption.
For the past year, the dogs that are left behind at the shelter fall into one or more of the following categories:
- 8 years and above, and/or have medical issues (p/s: often, these are the dogs who have the best temperament! But are overlooked for adoption due to their age and medical condition) (13%)
- Very shy, fearful and have extremely high flight-risk (59%)
- Have bite history (surprisingly, most of our biting dogs were rescued and adopted as puppies, but later given up due to behavioural issues) (25%)
- Sensitive with strangers or handling (96%)
As such, we very often struggle to find suitable dogs for potential adopters, especially those with larger households, as well as children and older folks at home. Taking a Singapore Special home has become more challenging than some years ago.
While we appreciate well-meaning, kind-hearted members of the public stepping forward to adopt, there are some traits in our recent rescues that require extra care, patience and precautions to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both the dog and the adopter.
Seeing this trend, we will be commencing Pre-Adoption Briefing Sessions for anyone who is thinking of adopting a Singapore Special bi-monthly. In these sessions, we will cover the following topics:
- Who We Are
- Our Training Philosophy
- What is Adoption?
- Understanding our Dogs
- Dogs with Flight Risk
- What we look for in Adopters
- The Adoption Process
The session will happen every alternate Tuesdays at 8pm. We welcome anyone to attend, even if you’re adopting from other shelters!
