During the COVID-19 pandemic, pet ownership in Singapore rose as residents turned to man’s best friend for comfort and companionship. From 2019 to the first half of 2022, the number of dogs licensed by Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) increased by 20 per cent, from 70,000 to 84,000.
In line with that, prices of purebred puppies increased exponentially, with some advertisements promoting puppies for up to S$20,000.
Unfortunately, as owners returned to the office and their lives post-pandemic, this explosion in pet ownership also saw more animals being abandoned. The AVS investigated 310 cases of pets being abandoned last year, up from 225 in 2021, 251 in 2020 and 230 in 2019.
Statistics on dog abandonment aren’t readily available but this is an issue that not only raises animal welfare concerns but can also have public health and safety consequences. Through no fault of theirs, dogs that are abandoned may contract diseases due to the harsh conditions of living on the streets, or become aggressive due to fear and hunger.
WHY DO PEOPLE BUY INSTEAD OF ADOPT?
The most common reason aspiring pet owners buy instead of adopt is because they want a puppy, and they want it now. They want a quick transaction and don’t want to undergo the adoption process, which many say is too lengthy.
This is unfortunate because there are thousands of dogs, including puppies, waiting to be adopted in Singapore. The key reason animal welfare groups make people go through an adoption process is to determine that the dog will be cared for its entire life and that the dog is suitable for its adoptive family.
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