Join us as we celebrate the joy of bird adoption and share heartwarming stories of rescued and rehomed birds. Adopting a bird brings immense rewards and can be a life-changing experience, both for you and the birds in need of a loving home. In this article, we’ll delve into the amazing journeys of birds who have found their forever homes and the profound impact they’ve had on their adoptive families. Prepare to be inspired by tales of love, resilience, and second chances.
Charlie and Sunny
Charlie, a lonely cockatiel, was surrendered to an animal shelter. Meanwhile, Sunny, a widowed lovebird, was looking for a companion. The shelter staff noticed their instant connection and decided to introduce them. It was love at first sight! Charlie and Sunny became inseparable, chirping and playing together all day long. They found solace and happiness in each other’s company, forming an unbreakable bond.
Oliver’s Second Chance
Oliver, a parakeet, was found injured with a broken wing. A compassionate couple named Sarah and Mark rescued him and brought him home. Despite his disability, Oliver’s spirit remained unbroken. To help him overcome his fear and build trust, Sarah and Mark spent countless hours patiently working with him. Gradually, Oliver regained his confidence and even started mimicking their laughter. Today, Oliver is a cherished member of their family, enjoying a life filled with love and care.
Pippa Finds a Home
Pippa, a colorful budgerigar, spent the majority of her life in a cramped cage without proper care. A passionate bird lover named Emily discovered her plight and decided to give her a forever home. Emily transformed her spare room into a spacious aviary, complete with toys, perches, and a variety of healthy foods. Pippa, now free to fly and explore, flourished in her new environment, regaining her vibrant plumage and joyful chirping.
Feather of Friendship
A pair of inseparable parrots, Kiwi and Mango, found themselves in a precarious situation after their previous owners could no longer care for them. Luckily, a kind-hearted woman named Lily, who had a fondness for birds, welcomed them into her home. Kiwi and Mango quickly adapted to their new surroundings, creating a lively atmosphere with their playful antics and delightful conversations. Lily, Kiwi, and Mango formed an extraordinary bond, reminding everyone that love knows no boundaries.
Luna’s Happy End
Luna, a magnificent macaw, endured a difficult past, having been passed from one home to another. Her last owner, an elderly woman named Margaret, sadly passed away, leaving Luna without a place to call home. Fortunately, a compassionate bird sanctuary took her in, determined to find her a loving family. After months of searching, a caring couple named Tom and Sarah fell in love with Luna’s vibrant personality. They provided her with a spacious outdoor enclosure and showered her with attention. Luna finally found the forever home she had always deserved, surrounded by love and care.
These heartwarming stories of rescued and rehomed birds highlight the profound impact adoption can have on both birds and humans. The joy, love, and resilience displayed by these feathered friends encourage us to view adoption as a wonderful opportunity to offer birds a fresh start, be it providing a safe refuge for neglected birds or creating a nurturing environment for a traumatized bird. So, open your heart and home to a bird in need, and discover the boundless happiness that comes from granting them a second chance for a contented and meaningful existence.
There comes a point in time when animal lovers consider owning the pet of their dreams. However, it doesn’t mean that they are allowed to keep any pets that they wish for if they were to live in a HDB flat.
On a brighter note, with recent changes made to allow bigger sized dogs to be rehomed, it makes the process of adoption far more convenient for those whose criteria expands beyond owning small dogs.
In this blog, we will be highlighting the dog breeds allowed for adoption, as well as rules and regulations to owning pets within HDBs.
Dog Regulations and Good Practices
To own a pet, you must understand what it means to be a responsible owner. To prevent conflicts with your housing estate and neighbours, there are rules by HDB you must abide by.
Flouting HDB rules will result in hefty fines up to $4,000.
The table below summarises regulations pet owners must follow to adopt a dog:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Answer
How many dogs can I own?
1 per HDB Flat
Is there a restriction as to how big my dog can be?
– Maximum height up to 40 cm – Weight of 10 kg and below – Singapore Special with a shoulder height up to 55cm under Project ADORE
$15, refer to NParks’ Page for terms and conditions.
It is also important that you exercise good practice when it comes to creating a safe and comfortable environment for your dog:
Ensure it doesn’t bark excessively
Pick up and dispose their waste promptly
Keep them safe and secured in your home
Ensure your dog socialises with your neighbours when possible to avoid future conflicts
HDB Approved Dog Breeds
The infographic below shows the 62 dog breeds approved by the Housing and Development Board (HDB).
We have also provided a short description of the dog breeds regarding their traits. This is to ensure that you have what it takes to care for that specific breed once you have made up your mind!
If you wish to adopt a dog that’s not listed on the HDB list, you will need to live in a private property unit.
HDB Approved Dogs under Project ADORE
If you stay in HDB but love bigger dogs, Project ADORE is for you. Despite the dog size limits, Project ADORE (ADOption and REhoming of Dogs) aims to look past the restrictions. Introduced in April 2012, Project ADORE was implemented to assess the acceptance of mixed-breed dogs in HDB estates if proper safeguards were in place.
Only dogs adopted from these 5 participating dog shelters are qualified for the scheme:
SPCA
Action for Singapore Dogs
Save Our Street Dogs
Exclusively Mongrels
Causes for Animals
1335 of these mixed breed dogs, also known as Singapore Specials, had been successfully rehomed as of 31 December 2019.
In March 2020, the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) announced a revised criterion for Project ADORE, with the hope to allow 20% more local mixed-breed dogs to be adopted each year.
Pet lovers interested in adopting Singapore Specials may refer to this table:
Size of Singapore Special
– Shoulder height up to 55 cm – No weight restrictions
Must the dog be sterilised, vaccinated and microchipped?
Yes
Must the dog complete training?
The dog must have undergone basic obedience training by AVA-accredited trainers
In addition, under this schedule, you must do the following:
Understand that only 1 registered dog is allowed per HDB household
Check that your immediate neighbours are open to you having a dog
Sign a declaration that you’ll observe the Code of Responsible Behaviour (CORB)
Apply for an AVA licence.
There are many benefits to adopting a Singapore Special. They tend to be intelligent, which makes them easily trainable. Additionally, their longer lifespans of up to 15 years make them the perfect choice for family pets. Sadly, they are often overlooked due to their tendency to be difficult at times.
However, if you give yourself enough time and effort, they will start to warm up to you and understand what it is like to feel loved. So trust the process!
Are Cats Allowed to Live in HDB Flats?
Unfortunately, due to housing laws, cats are not allowed in flats. The reason stated is due to being “difficult to contain within the “flat”. When they are not kept indoors, their fur, urine and faeces may pose health and hygiene risks to the public. In addition, it is cited that caterwauling may also cause inconvenience to neighbours.
However, this rule has not stopped cat lovers from having the felines in HDB flats.. As long as you manage to keep them well-behaved and your neighbours happy, it does not seem that the rule was strictly enforced.
As felines have won the hearts of many, the authority has been experimenting to lift the rules under a pilot scheme known as Love Cats. About 120 households in HDB flats in Chong Pang at Yishun have been permitted to raise one feline each under this scheme which was launched in October 2021, as long as the cats are microchipped, sterilised and kept indoor.
This pilot scheme is run by the Cat Welfare Society with support from government agencies such as the Housing and Development Board (HDB) and the Ministry of National Development (MND).
They are also supported by Law Minister K. Shanmugam and Louis Ng, who is the Member of Parliament for Nee Soon GRCand the founder of ACRES Group (Animal Concerns Research and Education Society).
Pets That Can Be Adopted Aside From Dogs
Keeping small pets is permitted within HDB flats, so long as they don’t cause inconvenience to neighbours or mess up common areas.
These pets include:
Birds (except house crow, white-vented or Javan myna, common myna, feral pigeon, birds that are protected wildlife species)
Chinchillas
Fish (except piranhas and fish that are protected wildlife)
Gerbils
Green tree frogs
Guinea Pigs
Hamsters
Land Hermit crabs
Malayan box turtles
Mice
Rabbits
For birds and fishes, please note that those listed in the CITES Appendices must be imported with CITES permits or Certificates of Origin. The NParks website of the Animal and Veterinary Service provides more info on what other pets can be raised in Singapore.
Licensing for Other Pets
As far as research goes, there isn’t a stated fact that you must register your pets if it is not a dog. However, AVS encourages that you observe the Code of Animal Welfare, which specifies the minimum standards for animal housing, management, and care which pet owners are expected to comply with. It is written in the form of a booklet and infographic, both of which you should take a look at by clicking on the respective words.
Other Banned Pets
In addition to cats, there are also other animals that are not allowed to be kept as HDB pets, such as:
Hedgehogs
Bearded dragons
Star tortoises
Sugar Gliders
Snakes
Crocodilian Reptiles
The reasoning for these animals is mainly due to safety concerns.
To All Pet Owners, Stay Responsible
Before getting a pet, ensure that you have done your research and are fully prepared to commit to the life of a pet owner. If you already have owned one, always research ways to make their quality of living even better! Don’t buy a pet just because you can. You should always consider if it is something that you feel a special connection to. It’s a whole new adventure once you become a pet owner, but it’s an exciting one!
While the homeless dogs wandering in concrete jungles are known as strays, mutts and mongrels in other countries, they hold a special place in many Singaporeans’ hearts. Affectionately known as Singapore Specials, many of these street dogs have been successfully rehomed in Singapore.
The love for Singapore Special dogs has been steadily growing over the years. The possibility of adopting a Singapore Special is good news if you are a big dog lover who stays in HDB flats.
Are you familiar with the process of adoption, and how Singapore Special’s traits may be different from the popular dog breeds in Singapore? Read on to find more.
What You Should Know
Singapore Specials have traits not easily distinguishable compared to purebred dogs. They are mixed-breed dogs. That means not all of them behave the same way despite being categorised as a Singapore Special. Some may be aggressive, others passive. Some may be shy, others sociable.
The life of caring for a Singapore Special dog isn’t always an easy breeze. There are a lot of considerations to be taken if you are looking to adopt one.
Prior to being rescued by animal shelters, it has always been a dog eat dog world in their eyes. These poor creatures had to live in the streets of Singapore feeding off whatever they could find in order to survive. As a result of their experience, it can be very difficult for them to easily trust someone who is willing to take care of them.
Those who display aggressive behaviours towards their new owners tend to be sent back to their shelters, seeking for another better home.
Hence, it is important that in order to be a responsible owner of these dogs, you must be patient with your development with your companion. It might take some time for them to open up their trust to you, but it is a process that is deemed worthwhile!
Why You Should Adopt Singapore Specials
We believe that if you have what it takes to care for a Singapore Special, you should still go for it!
Adopting Singapore Specials has its benefits:
Healthier – Most dogs in Singapore come from puppy mills. They have a known reputation for having atrocious conditions breeding dogs with serious health issues.
Longer Lifespans – Mixed breed dogs tend to live a long life of up to 15 years or more as they have fewer health
Intelligent and Trainable – They tend to pick things up fast and adapt to living conditions well.
Affordability – Compared to buying a puppy, adoption incurs much less cost. In addition, as Singapore Specials have fewer health issues, it means you don’t have to keep visiting the vet apart from bringing your Singapore Specials to routine checkups.
Adoption Requirements
To adopt a dog, you are to comply with the rules instilled by the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS). Failure to do so may result in hefty fines.
Owners are required to:
Sign a Code of Responsible Behaviour (CORB) which mandates that your dog doesn’t cause nuisances to your neighbours
Have undergone basic obedience training by AVA-accredited trainers at point of adoption
Ensure that your dog has been sterilised, microchipped and brought for routine vaccinations.
Have their pet licensed by the NParks Animal & Veterinary Services (AVS) via PALS.
Dog lovers that live in HDBs have the privilege of undergoing Project ADORE. However, while you are to observe the rules previously mentioned, take note of the restrictions below on Singapore Specials living in HDB flats.
There is no weight restriction.
Their Shoulder height cannot exceed 55 cm.
They have to be at least 6 months old.
How To Adopt a Singapore Special if You Live in HDB Flats
If you have dreamed of having a big dog in your HDB flats, Singapore Special is for you! Singapore Special is one of the dog breeds allowed in HDB flats. As of now, you can adopt Singapore Special from the 6 participating dog shelters below under Project ADORE:
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)
Visit the shelters’ official websites for more information on how you can adopt one of these dogs for yourselves.
We recommend that you visit the dog shelter if it is allowed, so that you can get a chance to understand the behaviour of the various dogs and bond with them at the shelter. Furthermore, the shelter staff may help you clear up your doubts.
Founded in 1947, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is a registered, non-governmental animal welfare charity. They provide 24-hour emergency rescues, cruelty and welfare investigations and are Singapore’s only community animal clinic.
They also include adoption programmes, education programmes, sterilisations for community animals, and a shelter for over 200 unwanted, abused or abandoned animals every month.
Established in December 2000, Action for Singapore Dogs strives to improve the welfare of stray and abandoned dogs in Singapore. They strictly operate on a no-kill policy.
ASD has conducted various activities and programs. These include rescuing, fostering and re-homing of stray and abandoned dogs, advocating sterilisation to control the stray population, responsible pet ownership and highlighting the virtues of the local dogs, the Singapore Specials.
To date, they have rehomed over 3000 dogs and have about 150 dogs in their care, which are housed at their Adoption & Rescue Centre and in foster homes. ASD’s adoption page features images and descriptions of the dogs, as well as if it is HDB Approved. Dog lovers who are interested in adopting such dogs are to fill in an adoption form with their particulars.
Founded in July 2011, Save Our Street Dogs’ mission is simple: To eliminate cruelty and abandonment of animals, enhancing their welfare, and improve the lives of animals and humans, through rescue, education and advocacy.
They have these 3 key areas of focus to help save the street dogs of Singapore:
The name speaks for itself! Exclusively Mongrels is a group that solely focuses on changing the life of mongrel dogs for the better. From time to time, they would also host various events. One recent event held was “Adoption Drive 2022”, where families may look to adopt the various dogs and puppies available.
Similar to Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD), they have adoption forms that’s sorted from HDB to non-HDB approved. Adding on, they also have a separate category dedicated to puppies!
Causes for Animals Limited is an animal welfare charity set up to support the needs of local animal welfare in Singapore. They employ programs and policies to promote best practice, ethical, sustainable and compassionate treatment of the animals.
Putting together a team with over 30 years of combined experience in Animal Welfare Work, they have managed a rescue and adoption program that has helped achieve a success rate of 98% in adoptions.
Mercylight started off in 2009 as a handful of volunteers who fed stray dogs every evening in the eastern side of Singapore. In January 2015, it was incorporated as a non-profit organisation with the aim to promote compassion for animals through the provision of animal welfare services and prevention of cruelty to animals.
By May 2020, they were then conferred the charity status and was henceforth known as Mercylight Animal Rescue & Sanctuary Limited.
To date, they have over 100 committed people volunteering as kennel volunteers, stray feeders, packers, fosterers and sponsors.
Be Nice & Kind
We hope that our article has been helpful in allowing you to have a clear mind of what you wish to achieve in adopting a Singapore Special. Do remember to adopt responsibly. Adopting a pet is a long-term commitment.
These dogs are undoubtedly unique creatures often misunderstood by the general public, but are finally beginning to receive more love as time passes on. They deserve a second chance to be rehomed in a safe environment, and feel the love of a family.
Whoever said that a dog is a man’s best friend wasn’t being hyperbolic. Just like making a best friend in real life, adopting a dog also begins with choosing someone you feel that special connection with. A dog is renowned for its ability to form close and profound relationships with people that can span lifetimes. The best thing you can do for an intelligent, loving animal like that is to give them a second chance at life through adoption.
While adopting is ultimately extremely rewarding and one of the best decisions you can make, adjusting to these changes is not without its challenges – for either party. This transitory period can last anywhere from weeks to months. Still, it is guaranteed to be worth it with the proper amount of patience, understanding, and an unwavering willingness to try.
1. Exercise patience
Patience is a quality that is essential when one is considering dog adoption. Depending on the disposition and past experiences of the dog, they will take some time to get used to their new environment and the people around them. In fact, you may not even be able to gauge a dog’s true personality for a while after adopting them.
It’s vital that you go into this experience with practicality and the necessary foresight. Some dogs may seem hyperactive, some lazy, and others may make messes. You must build a foundation of trust with your dog first; like any other relationship, it takes time.
2. Create a routine
Creating an environment where there is consistency is paramount when adopting a dog. This means that if you live with multiple people, everyone has to get on the same page about the dog’s routine and the rules they must abide by. If everyone in your house has a different idea of how to train your dog, or if they have a chaotic schedule, your dog will naturally feel increasingly nervous and find it difficult to settle.
If you want your home to feel like a safe space for your dog, you’ll want to establish a routine for them. For example, having set timings to feed and walk your dog allows them to orient themselves and, eventually, feel more secure in their new home.
3. House-train your dog
Once again, patience and practicality are qualities that must be emphasised when attempting to house-train your adopted dog. Some of these dogs have received the proper training, but as they adapt to a new environment, it could still lead to accidents.
To prevent these accidents from taking place, bring them to the bathroom frequently. Offer them positive reinforcement by way of praise and treats when they relieve themselves in the correct places.
4. Guide them into good behaviour
Dogs are quick to develop their habits and behavioural patterns. This can be both a good and bad thing. As such, early intervention is critical. When your dog attempts to repeat bad behaviour like jumping on visitors, and it goes unchecked, you’re making it likely that they’ll do it again. As a pet caretaker, you now have to deduce what causes this behaviour and how you can prevent it from happening again.
For example, dog-proof everything if your dog is prone to chewing on items around the house. Cover things that are likely to be chewed on, like furniture or cords, with Bitter Apple. It is an easy-to-find, harmless substance whose bad taste discourages your pets from putting it in their mouth. It would help if you also reward your dog with treats and the like when they refrain from engaging in destructive behaviour.
Conclusion
There are myriad factors to consider before adopting a dog. While you’re gaining a best friend for life, you’re also gaining the responsibility for their life. You want to be able to give these pets the care and attention they deserve. If you’re worried about being ill-prepared, following this article’s advice is a great start.
And for all your dog essentials, visit us at aPetMart, where you’ll find all the online pet supplies in Singaporeyou could ever need. As animal lovers ourselves, we’re sure to provide you with only the best of what your beloved furry companion deserves. Contact us today to find out more!
Animal Lovers League (ALL) is a registered charity and home to over 500 dogs and cats, and the animals under their care consist of vagrant strays, abandoned, traumatized, abused and rescued animals.
ALL is strictly no-kill. They aim to encourage the public to adopt instead of buying animals, and endeavor to rejoin the animals at ALL with loving and committed families. Those interested can also volunteer their time, energy and love to help ALL by taking care of the animals, taking the dogs out for walks and/or other daily necessary tasks.
Causes for Animals (Singapore) is an animal welfare charity to support local animal welfare in Singapore. They employ programs and policies to promote best practice, ethical, sustainable and compassionate treatment of these animals. Therefore, raising awareness for ethical animal treatment.
Don’t worry if you are unable to adopt one, if you want to provide a temporary home, you may contact them to find out more. To find out more about their adoption process, you may visit their website here: (https://www.causesforanimals.com/cas-adoption-centre.html)
They are a registered charity and established in December 2000, as a non-profit organization with the mission to improve the local welfare of stray and abandoned dogs with a strict no-kill policy. After that, they have rehomed over 3000 dogs and have about 150 dogs under their care.
CWS was formed in July 1999 by a group of friends who got together to help community cats and kittens after being outraged by a newspaper report about 5 kittens being burned alive in a box. In 1999, a culling of more than 13,000 cats happened in a bid to control the stray population.
That equated to an average of 35 cats killed every single day. CWS set about to reduce this number with the aim of eliminating it entirely. Their tireless campaigning over the years against the inhumane culling of cats has resulted in a record low of less than 1000 cats put down since 2015.
Hamster Society Singapore is a non-profit, all-volunteer group of animal lovers. They have a need in the community to assist, rescue, foster and rehabilitate unwanted, neglected and abused hamsters.
HSS aims to increase awareness on proper hamster husbandry, resulting in reduce of the neglect, abuse, mistreatment and abandonment of pet hamsters locally, for instance.
In 2002, Ms Jackie Fang purchased 2 adorable baby rabbits from a pet shop out of impulse.
Unfortunately, one passed away immaturely. She went on to purchase 3 more and shortly after, 3 females got pregnant! Eventually within months, she ended up with a family of 24 rabbits.
Since House Rabbit Society was founded in 1988, over 40,000 rabbits are rescued through House Rabbit Society chapters across the United States.
Many of these bunnies had run out of time at animal shelters and were scheduled for euthanasia; others had been deemed “unadoptable” because of age, health, or disposition.
HRS is able to spend time getting to know individual bunnies and can then match them with an appropriate home. We neuter all incoming rabbits, obtain any necessary veterinary care, and attend to their social needs.
Thinking of getting a pet? Here’s why adopting is better
You’ll save lives
While the estimates vary, approximately three to four million dogs and cats are euthanized (“put to sleep”) each year in the United States because too few people spay or neuter the pets they have, too few adopt, and too many give up their pets.
Because space at shelters are limited, they must make the difficult decision to euthanize healthy animals that are not adopted within a certain amount of time.
You’ll get a great pet
Animal shelters and rescue groups have plenty of healthy, well-behaved animals waiting for a home.
Most shelters examine and vaccinate animals when they arrive, and many shelters spay or neuter them before adoption.
It is a common belief that abused animals or those that misbehave badly, ends up in shelters.
In truth, most animals in shelters are there because of “people reasons”: divorce, moving, lack of time, and financial constraints are among the most common reasons why pets lose their homes.
Save money
Adopting a pet from an animal shelter is much less expensive than buying a pet at a pet store or through other sources.
Buying a pet can easily cost $500 to $1000 or more; adoption costs range from $50 to $200. In addition, animals from many shelters are already spayed, or neutered and vaccinated, which makes the shelter’s fee a bargain.
You Won’t Support Puppy or Kitten Mills
Puppy and kitten mills are factory-style breeding facilities that put profit above the welfare of animals.
These mills that raises most animals have poor housing conditions and improper medical care.
They are often in poor health and have ongoing behavior and health problems due to lack of human companionship and inbreeding.
Pet stores, the internet, and newspaper advertisements shows/sells mill animals to unsuspecting customers.
By adopting instead of buying a pet, you can be certain that you aren’t supporting puppy or kitten mills.
