Where to get your dog

1) SPCA

This is the one place in Singapore that houses so many dogs, and you get to keep them at no cost (not inclusive of medical fees), as long as you have the right environment for the dog. So many dogs are abandoned every year, and if you truly want a dog to keep you company and to care for, getting a dog from the SPCA not only helps the dogs, but also saves the SPCA the tiring and

inhumane operation of putting them to sleep as they simply have too many abandoned animals to care for.

People who have decided to get their dog from the SPCA have most probably gone through a careful thought process: wanting not only to enrich their lives but that of the dog which they will adopt.

More about the adoption process can be read here.

2) Pet shop

The first place that people look for a dog is at the pet shop. Not that it's wrong to get a puppy from the pet shop, but there are other dogs that need your care more. Getting a dog from a pet shop would only encourage the inhumane practice of dog breeding by inexperienced people

or those out to make a quick buck, not bothering about the health of the puppies and their mother. So if you plan to get your dog from the pet shop, make sure that you know the puppies' health history and the pet shop's credibility.

Having no prior knowledge in breeding dogs can result in disaster: the mother and/or the puppies may die during birth, and the health of the puppies' are compromised when the parents' health are not checked.

Just because 2 dogs of the same breed get together, the health of the puppies produced are not necessary good. Recklessly breeding dogs produces unwanted and probably unhealthy puppies; adding to the already overpopulated and pitiful abandoned dog population.

Majority of the people that buy puppies from pet shops just want that something that's cute and cuddly. Only to abandon them when they get too much to handle and beyond expectations. Not all but the majority. So please have a heart and think twice before you dive into the doggie world. You may also wish to consider the first option, adopting from the SPCA.

3) People who give away their dogs

Thee are people who, due to certain circumstances ate unable to look after their dog anymore and thus have to give them away. This is another way on which you can get a dog, from a friend, family members or a friend's friend.

When People Give Their Dogs Away

There are times when due to certain circumstances, people are forced to give away their dogs. Here are just some if the reasons I think are valid and others that are simply irresponsible. However, no matter what my opinions are, finding them a good home when you are no longer

able to care for them is better than simply ABANDONING them and hope that someone 'nice' picks them up.

Valid Reasons

1) Having have to move to another country or state. Then again in Singapore's context, since there is no other states, another country would suffice. Or if you happen to be downgrading from a landed property to a HDB flat.

2) A family member is sick and needs more attention and care.

Not Very Valid Reasons

1) Bought the dog and realized after a couple of months how much effort it really takes, and decide that since it doesn't fit into your lifestyle, you give it away.

2) The dog gets sick and so you give it away to avoid high medical fees (by not informing the new owner), or even worse, abandon the poor pooch somewhere deserted and hope it dies 'peacefully'. Really I think putting poor pooch to sleep permanently at the vet is tons better than

simply abandoning it. -_-"

Unfortunately in Singapore, many people abandon their dogs simply because they did not expect that their cute little puppies would not be forever cute, or that they simply need too much care then previously expected.

Responsible Dog Ownership

Keeping dogs as pets can be fun, but there's a responsibility that comes with it. It can be said that it's similar to having a child. Most often than not, people see a dog/puppy that is cute or due to a recent dog 'craze', they get influenced and just simply bring home that cute bundle.

Very often, first time owners are in for a shock when they realize that there's more than just playing with that cute bundle they brought home. And most often, they end up giving away the dog, or simply abandon it, just because they cannot handle the responsibility that comes along with keeping a dog.

Sure, it seems simple enough:

• buy dog
• train dog
• feed dog
• groom dog
• walk dog

At least, it seems simple enough. What most first time owners forget to factor in is the time consumed to look after a dog and the effort that cones along with it. As a result, when the going gets tough, it's the dog that gets going. It's good if the owners managed to find a good home for the dog, but what is unforgivable is when some owners simply abandon their dog, leaving it to fend for itself in the harsh elements.

There's nothing wrong in having had no prior experience with dogs, but getting the right breed that suits your lifestyle is extremely important, and would make life easier for you and the dog. For example, for a person that's hardly home and lives alone, it's not advisable to go get yourself a golden retriever which requires long walks, grooming and attention. It'll be a torture for the poor dog, an for you when you come home to a very badly chewed up home.

If you decide to get a dog, that doesn't mean that you need to get a cute and cuddly puppy, let alone go buy one. The are many options. You need to know what you are getting yourself into and the amount of effort you are wiling to put in. A pet after all, is for (its) life you know...