A cute puppy is not just a status symbol

Letter from Tan Ai Ling, Today Online 4 Mar 08;

I refer to the report "More abandon pedigree dogs" (Feb 28).

If there are stricter laws on licensing, the problem will only escalate. May I suggest the following two-pronged approach?

First, pet shops should micro-chip the dogs and submit the particulars of those who buy them to Agro-Veterinary Authority (AVA). Only those who are able to prove that their abode is suitable for the type of dog they wish to buy will be allowed to do so. Immediate registration should be part of the service and the duty of responsible pet shops.

Second, the AVA and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) seem to have different aims, though I am given to understand that the underlying principle of both organisations is to ensure the humane treatment of animals. Furthermore, the grim burden of the SPCA can only be eased with the support of the AVA. As such, the AVA should enforce front-end practices in pet shops to create a more responsible pet ownership environment.

This two-pronged approach should curb impulse or inappropriate purchases. Hopefully, like the World Wildlife Fund's slogan, "When the buying stops, the killing can too".

Finally, the SPCA should seriously consider campaigns which avoid depicting cute animals in favour of the truth. After all, young, healthy animals that end up there are likely to be euthanised and not become candidates for resort-living. I have met many people who tell their children that "Fluffy has gone to a lovely home" when they drop a dog off with a donation.

I appeal to everyone considering a dog — the cost is not the initial thousand dollars, but the thousands of dollars for vet bills (especially in their last days), damaged furnishings, as well as the hundreds of hours spent cleaning, training and integrating a dog into your family.

I have had two dogs, both lived to ripe old ages of 13 and 15 respectively. Unfortunately, dogs are not like children who learn to clean up after themselves and can be reasoned with.

Dogs remain eternally child-like and thus, unless you are ready for a toddler for the next 10 to 15 years, I suggest you get a RoboDog.

A gracious society is not one where, if you scratch the surface, what is revealed is the shallow need to purchase a status symbol.

Pet COEs to stop impulse buys?
Letter from James Teo Teck Nam, Today Online 4 May 08;

I refer to the report "More abandon pedigree dogs" (Feb 28). The number of dogs being abandoned tells us just how "gracious"our society is.

My suggestion is to issue Certificates of Entitlement (COEs) for dog ownership. This idea may sound frivolous but it will discourage impulse buying of dogs and add value to the life of animals — especially the abandoned ones.

Before anyone can say that this will turn into another revenue-generating scheme, I suggest that all funds thus raised be channelled towards animal welfare organisations, like pet shelters, including the one run by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The funds raised can also help increase resources towards areas such as (animal welfare) supervision and enforcement.

As a dog owner, I am willing to pay for such a COE so long as society as a whole (pooches included) can benefit from it.

Hopefully such a scheme will lessen the sufferings of our four-legged friends.

Dogs can be a godsend, but beware the costs

Letter from Maria Loh Mun Foong (Ms), Straits Times Forum 4 Mar 08;

I REFER to the article, '1,521 pedigree dogs dumped' (Feb 28).

About six years ago, I nearly added myself to the shameful statistics of people who abandoned their dogs.

Like many first-time dog owners, I could not resist my shih tzu's beseeching brown puppy eyes at the pet shop and bought it on impulse. Prior to getting it, I was absolutely clueless on typical canine behaviour, as well as how to take care of dogs. I had to learn the hard way.

Besides infecting me with mites the very first week, it was chewing my furniture to shreds and defecating indiscriminately on my rugs and carpets. Driven to sheer frustration, I was on the verge of returning it to the pet shop when a friend serendipitously told me: 'Dogs are not toys; you can't throw them away on a whim.'

I was really ashamed of myself and vowed to be a responsible dog owner from then on. But responsibility comes at a price: Annual licence fees are now $70. Its food costs about $50 a month (for a small dog), while grooming sets us back by more than $50 a few times a year, not to mention the weekly hour-long baths with special antiseptic shampoo that costs twice as much as mine.

It was, and still is, a magnet for all kinds of canine ailments, especially skin, eye and ear allergies and infections which have seen us going to the vet umpteen times. In addition, it gets an annual check-up and vaccination at the vet's.

Rain or shine, we bring it downstairs three times a day for it to answer the call of nature, as well as to exercise. Fortunately, we have a maid who helps us take care of it, especially during our holidays - otherwise, we would have to send it to a pet boarding hostel. And the list of responsibilities goes on.

What do we get in return? It is an unwaveringly loyal companion who wakes me each day with frenzied tail-wagging and greets us, frantic with joy, when we return home. It is a little shadow who follows us faithfully around the house and delights us endlessly with its antics. In short, it has sort of become a member of the family.

Dogs are a godsend, but only if we have the resources and ability to take care of them.

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