Buying vs Adopting

When it comes to adding a new fur-mily, we are often caught in the dilemma - To buy or not to buy, that is the question.

Sweetheart SiDa

Well, firstly for buying a puppy, do you know that you are contributing to the never-ending breeding industry where the pup's parents live in horrible conditions & not to mention the possibilities of in-breeding and genetic issues that may come along with that hefty $5000 puppy. Usually, these puppies do not come with comprehensive vaccines and health checks, there is also no way to trace if the papers of the pup provided by the breeders/pet shops are authentic. As Singapore has no breeding regulations, most "breeders" you see online are "Backyard Breeders" where they breed puppies in their home or in farms, and often there is no "warranty/aftercare" once these pups are sold to you.

Cute Donut 

Lastly, as we all know, training for puppies is very important as it shapes their personality & temperament. Many do not know how to train a puppy properly when it's teething or barking, sometimes leading to aggression or the sad ending of being abandoned or rehomed because what you see (a cute puppy) is not what you get if you don’t raise it correctly.

Harper, who is often mistaken for a German Shepherd 

Whereas for adoption, with just $200 - $400, these dogs comes with vaccinations, full medical checks, de-wormed and sterilized. For HDB Project Adore, it is compulsory for these dogs to undergo Basic Obedience (Good Canine Citizen class), which resolves concerns of having a puppy tearing up your living room when you reach home from a long day at work. By adopting, you are contributing to a greater cause as in creating an empty space for rescuers to save 1 more stray. Rescuers will also provide 100% of their support to ensure smooth transition until the dog settles at your home. Adopted dogs are usually more grateful and loyal as they have been through so much hardship and waited so long for a place to call home, it may not mean much to you but by adopting them, you become their lighthouse in the stormy waves of life.

Adopt a Donut

Written by: Nicole

From Horror to Hope: The Story of Ethan’s Second Chance

When you think of “animal abuse”, the first things that come to mind are probably violence and physical abuse. However, abuse comes in many forms and one of the most common forms of animal abuse is neglect. The  failure to provide basic care for your pet is a form of animal abuse.

Over the years, some examples of neglect we’ve seen include cats and  dogs caged or tied up for long periods, living in dirty conditions,  receiving inadequate nutrition and no access to vet care, and so on.

One of the worst cases of neglect we’ve encountered was in April 2015  when Purely Adoptions alerted us to the plight of two badly neglected  dogs. According to them, these dogs were under the care of an elderly owner but after she suffered a stroke, she’d entrusted their care to her 30-something son. Suffice to say, he did not do a good job. Read about his rescue here.

This was when we first got him - besides reeking of urine with badly matted fur, fur on his chest had been torn off. 

By the time we heard about the case, Purely Adoptions had managed to rescue one of the dogs but there was still one more that needed our  help – Ethan.

When we first met Ethan, it was a clear-cut case of neglect. The  little Shihtzu was in a playpen bouncing on his hind legs repeatedly,  begging for attention and to be carried. He looked about 7 or 8 years old but it was hard to tell as his fur was dirty and matted. There was a strong smell of pee, as if he’d not had a bath in years. As we approached the playpen, we noticed there was no water bowl inside –  just a tray for peeing in.

When we picked him up, we could feel his ribs protruding from the side. However, despite his grubby appearance, Ethan was so excited at being lifted up and carried. As we carried him, we noticed how his fur was so badly matted that it had hardened and stuck to his skin. Parts of his fur were peeling off his skin, revealing red and raw skin beneath. There were scabs on the underside of his body too. It was heartbreaking to see this obviously cheery, good-natured living creature being reduced to such a state.

Thankfully, this story has a happy ending.

A family kindly took him in and showered him with all the love and  affection he missed out on during his years of being neglected. Ethan  (who now goes by the name of Ted) goes for nice, long walks and is fed  healthy, nutritious meals every day.

His owners pamper him with a warm  bed, nice toys and most importantly, lots of love. Four years after we  found him, Ted is almost unrecognizable with a shiny coat of fur and  healthy, shining eyes. The one thing that stays the same is his sweet  emeanour.

While this story is heartwarming, unfortunately, many animals continue  to be neglected and abused by their owners. We are thankful to Ted’s family for giving him a second chance and providing him with a loving  home.

We continue to hope that more people will open their hearts and  homes to abused or neglected animals . As this case demonstrates, all  living creatures thrive under care. If we can all do our part – even  if it’s just to raise awareness or perhaps to just save one animal –  we can make this little corner of the world that much better.

Written by: Vanessa
Photographs by Ted's family 

Growing Up With Dogs

In honour of the upcoming National Kids and Pets Day, which falls on April 26, here are three advantages of children growing up with dogs.

Learning Responsibility

Having a dog is a daily commitment and taking care of their everyday needs teaches a child the importance of being responsible. A dog trusts its owner to look after them with proper care and love, offering them food and water, cleaning their home, and taking them out for walks. This enables children to learn about care giving and the significance of dependability, allowing them to grow and become a trustworthy pet owner.

Sharing is Caring

The act of caring for another leaves a tremendous impact on a child, enabling him/her to grow and become a more compassionate and empathetic individual. Gestures like rewarding their dog with delicious treats and squeaky toys or even unexpected hugs allow a child to practice being selfless, whereby one places another’s needs before their own. Moreover, when taking their dog out for walks, passers-by and fellow dogs would approach them which, in turn, creates conversation. As their lovable dog receive pats on their heads, the sharing of one’s dog teaches a child generosity and patience towards others. This would better their social skills, making them friendlier and boosting their self-confidence.

Bettering General Health

Growing up with a dog not only betters a child’s physical health but also his/her mental health. When it comes to physical health, taking a dog out for walks encourages a child to head outdoors. Living in the digital age, some might have forgotten the beauty that is nature. The crisp air and lush greenery are those that simply cannot be found indoors. Heading out for a walk, a run or even a game of fetch, encourages a more healthy lifestyle as it gets the heart pumping. Once they have exercised, the child and his/her dog can head back indoors and lounge on the couch for some Netflix.

When it comes to mental health, dogs provide constant companionship throughout the ups and downs that life brings. Life may seem like a nightmare when you’re a kid. However, a dog brings comfort and unconditional love to people. No matter how they are feeling, sad, angry, or anxious, one can always find a friend in a dog. A little petting and cuddling session is all one needs to reduce and relieve stress, calming their nerves and relaxing their mind.

Written by: Debbi

Emma Gets a Home

It doesn't get any better for Emma, the 4 month old stray kitten we rescued in January during one of our feeding rounds.

The kitten has finally found a home, a place she would always, and forever feel safe, surrounded by a loving family, good food and warm beds.

Emma's new family is a cat savvy couple with two bubbly young daughters who couldn't wait to welcome the kitten with open arms, and their 8-year old mild mannered rescued cat looking for companionship.

After a week in her new home, Emma's new mum remarked that the kitten is very purry, affectionate, and playful, which we suppose is pretty much the ultimate indication of absolute happiness. This spunky kitten plays well with her new cat brother so basically the family is perfect for Emma who loves feline and human company.

Emma was officially adopted in March 2019.

Two months ago, she was all alone on the cold dark streets, crying herself hoarse for help.  The poor kitten was dirty, full of fleas, famished, and had crusty bleeding ears. She wasn't a pretty sight when our volunteers first laid eyes on her. Saving her was one thing, but finding her a a home was another. Our options were limited, and with so many stray kittens out there, her chances of being adopted were slim.

So, we couldn't be happier with the way this has turned out for sweet Emma. She didn’t have to spend a lifetime on the streets like many of the other strays.

Emma could still be on the streets begging for attention, if not for her rescuers, the kind boarding lady who nursed her back to health, and our contributors who helped with her medical bills. Thank you, for all the compassion and love you gave Emma.

We would also like to thank Emma's new family for letting the kitten be part of their loving home. We are glad that Emma is in a better place now.

Now, how many strays can be as lucky as Emma?

Written by: Meiling

Churros is Adopted

Every dog yearns for a home of their own, and Churros, the four-year-old local crossbreed that looks like a Malinois has finally found hers.

When Churros came to us two years ago, she was all skin and bones, and looked discouraged due to her circumstances. Then, she wasn’t having much luck with finding a forever home, as she went from one foster home to another over the years.

A few months ago, the Yongs, a young couple fostered her for three months, and found her extremely obedient and sweet. They were first time dog owners, and naturally had some concerns when they opened their home to Churros. We are proud and happy to say that Churros soon won them over with her shy timid ways, and the Yong family decided to adopt her in January 2019.

Today, Churros loves her new home and her new pawrents. She gets a new bed and toys, and her new family dotes on her, including grandma and grandpa.

Churros was officially adopted in March 2019.

Every adoption puts a smile on our faces, and gives our dogs a new lease of life. It also gives us hope that those left behind can find loving homes.

We would like to thank the Yongs, and we hope Churros and her new family will find eternal love, affection and comfort in one another.

Written by : Felicia

Dreams Come True

Hello everyone, long time no see! Some of you may not recognize me because of how pretty I look now! I used to be quite bald before!

Bonnie in Dec 2015

Bonnie in Dec 2018

I don’t know how to play fetch, but I do love my daily walks with Mummy and Grandpa!

I remember my first day in my new home – I was scared and I didn’t know what Mummy and other hoomans in this foreign-looking place wanted with me. I ran away from loud noises like the vacuum machine, hair dryer, and even the lobby gate closing.

Mummy says I’m so bossy now – I even sneak peeks downstairs when my hoomans are out past their curfew.

I have grown to love my hoomans so much I invited them to take a family portrait with me! The hoomans tried to get me to smile but I thought it’d be really prim and proper to put on my most serious face for such a grand occasion!

I can be quite goofy other times.

Sometimes when it rains and I’m scared at home, I think of my friends alone on the streets, probably hungry and thirsty and trying to find some place safe and dry.

If you could contribute in any way to help my friends, please do not hesitate to contact Hope Dog Rescue!

Written by Bonnie's owner, Jian Rong

Why Do People Still Buy Dogs?

Breeding dogs lead very sad lives. I hope the word gets out. If you do, I hope you’ll learn to empathize with their situation. If you don’t, then we hope you will learn something from us today, and spread the word.

Leaving the shelter, leaving the past behind.

Breeding dogs don’t get any rest since young. They are bred from their first heat, at around 6 months old, until they retire at around 6 to 8 years old. How do breeders ensure the female pup gets pregnant? They lock 2 to 3 male dogs inside a small cage with the poor girl and they take turns to rape her. That would definitely ensure she gets pregnant.

How many times has this poor dog given birth? 10 times?  How much money has she made for the breeders? Her poor tiny body has never rested 

To put it into context, that’s akin to raping a primary school kid, forced to give birth twice a year, and is only fed white rice and meat shavings for all their lives. Breeding dogs are not provided any medical treatment, and aren’t well-fed.

Rotten teeth that will need to be extracted when her health is more stable 

A growth on her eye that bleeds and will need to be removed during her sterilization

In their lives, breeding dogs would have given birth about 8 to 12 times, before breeders decide to retire them. This means giving or selling them to animal welfare groups to rehome.

Think about that for a bit.

These poor breeding dogs are then taken from the breeders straight to shelters then to adoption drives, still without medical treatment / medical checkups. Kind people who want to adopt these ex-breeding dogs actually need to be prepared to spend anything from $1000 to $5000 after they have saved the dogs by adopting it and giving it a forever home. This amount is dependent on what illness or health issues the adopted dog has. Most common conditions include pyometra, which is an infection in the uterus, rotten teeth, arthritis / stiff joints from standing in an overcrowded cage for years, skin issues from inbreeding or hip dysplasia.

Leaving the shelter, scared and confused - she had no idea what was happening 

Inbreeding also occurs. Brother is mated with sister, mother, with son.

Imagine doing that to your very own family. Would you be comfortable with that? When inbreeding happens, your offspring will be affected, too.

"You're going to a new family today."

"What's a family? Why must I go?"

These poor breeding dogs have no idea what a family is. They have not known love during their short little lives.

Meet Tiny, a breeding dog, who I brought home today. I brought her to the vet for a full medical checkup because she has not been given any medical care at all. 

She will need to be sterilized, she is constantly drooling because she has rotten teeth that need to be extracted and her gums are sore. After the dental treatments, she may have just 4 to 6 teeth left. She has a growth on her left eye that bleeds and that needs to be removed. She has a skin tag / cyst on her left rump and this needs to be removed as well although this isn't life threatening.

Her teeth are so badly decayed that one tooth fell out while she was eating 

That's way too many things to be addressed in one surgery so we would need to prioritize as ideally a dog shouldn't be under GA for more than 2 hours, or her health is put at risk.

She is about 10.55kg, and is overweight. But she hasn’t been eating well and enough. Where is all this weight coming from? By being forced to stand all day with minimal movement, and being fed only white rice, which is extremely unhealthy.

Again. Imagine it for yourself.

Shaving off all her fur so we can see the condition of her skin, check for sores etc 

The first night in her new home, she stood and stared at nothing for 3 hours before sitting down to stare blankly for another 3 hours before finally falling into a light sleep. She must have been locked in a cage so small that she only had space to stand and sleep. Given more space, she had no idea how to behave.

Her tired, overworked body looks like a cow, with dangling tits almost touching the floor. She drools constantly because her teeth are so rotten, she needs dental treatment, and soon. However, years of giving birth and being fed a poor diet has made her severely anaemic and she can't yet undergo a surgery until her body is in a more stable condition. X-ray also revealed she has an enlarged spleen and liver. 

Look at her sagging tits on her poor abused body

Her joints are stiff and painful and her paws so rough it feels as if she has walked miles but in actual fact, she never even got to walk. It's rough from standing in a metal cage all her life.

Part of her tongue is missing because she gets into fights with the other dogs for food. Or the lack of it. Her tongue hangs out semi-permanently because most of her front teeth are missing from a lifetime of poor nutrition.

Part of her tongue bitten off during a dog fight where they fought for food cos there wasn't enough 

She is estimated to be about 8 years old. She has been treated like this for most of her life now.

She cowers when we walk past her because she has been rough-handled so much that she is so fearful yet when we squat down, she literally leopard crawls to us to be patted.

Think about how sad this is. To fear humans, and yet to crave for their love, affection, and be so eager to please. Is your heart breaking already?

Skin tag / cyst on her left rump will be removed during her sterilization 

I call her and talk to her but she behaves like a deaf dog, she only responds to dogs barking because that's the only sound she has been surrounded by and is used to, incessant dogs barking in the breeding farms.

"Are you deaf?"

"I didn't know you were talking to me, no one has ever talked to me. Please be patient with me, teach me gestures and sign language first."

When I first laid eyes on her, I was told she was a Schnauzer. I laughed.

Which part is Schnauzer? She had been at the kennels since September 2018. No one seemed to be keen on her because she was supposedly noisy and didn't look like a pure breed. The other dogs such as the Corgis, Spitz and Shetland Sheepdogs literally had people fighting over them. This little dog was in the kennel, jumping on her painful hind legs for attention but no one even bothered to pat her. Always one for underdogs, I decided I would take her.

Over weight from lack of walks and eating white rice 

What breed are you?

"I don't know. I'm different from the rest."

I believe she is probably a mixed terrier of sorts.

From now onwards, your name is TINY.

"The name makes no difference to me."

How sad to not have a name or identity all their lives and to be used only as a sex worker, helping the breeders get rich.

Now you must be thinking, so many problems, why would someone adopt an ex-breeding dog? Fortunately we have kind dog lovers around and these days, with more awareness on puppy mills, more such dogs are given opportunities and a second chance in life.

For now, rest your tired little body

The road to rehabilitation can be long but patience and love conquers all.

A lot of socialization is also needed to teach your new dog how to behave like a normal dog. And the icing on the cake? These dogs are often so sweet, submissive, eager to please, you wonder how evil humans could have taken advantage of them, used and abused them.

And why did I choose to adopt an ex-breeding dog? Because I have the capacity to make her smile. Maybe not immediately but in time.

TINY, today is the beginning of a life worth living.