Adopt A Pet

I am organizing a dog walk-a-thon event to promote responsible pet ownership on 6th August 2011. As I was going around talking to different people to support and help me with my event, I realized that there are many dog lovers out there, but it also breaks my heart that there are many irresponsible pet owners too!

I got in touch with CASA Pet Shop's new owner, Ms Chooi to support me with my event. In her pet shop, she has put up 8 pictures of the dogs she owns and another 1 more picture on the way! My gosh, for some people, having 1 pet is already a big responsibility, imagining having 9 dogs!! She said some of these dogs were adopted. She believes in adopting a pet rather than getting a new dog as she did not want to see these dogs suffer outside.

Ms Chooi introduced me to Animal Care, an organization set up to help re-home stray dogs and cats. The founder, Dr Chan Kah Yein has such a big heart! She picks up all the stray animals in the neighbourhood and get them spayed/neutered to prevent them from multiplying of which after she will re-home these strays. She does not have a shelter to place these animals and all these neutering and medical expenses are all paid out of her own pocket.

Denise who did the Asia Works Advance course with me also started a dog adoption drive on her own as she would like to re-home all the dogs that were given up by their owners.

Why are there so many strays in the first place? Many a times, people go into impulse mode when they want a pet dog or cat only to realize later that having a pet is a big responsibility that they may not be ready for. Puppies and kittens look cute just like babies and everyone loves them when they are tiny. But as they grow bigger and start to destroy things at home or start whining all the time, it become too much to handle and these poor animals are either given away, left on the streets or send to animal shelter homes.

Pets have feelings and emotions too! If you do take a moment of your time to really connect with your pet, you can start seeing a different side of them! Remember, they are your responsibility and not a toy that can be thrown out when you are done loving them!

If you have the intention of getting a pet, consider adopting instead of buying another puppy or kitten! Give life and give hope to the abandon animals! They deserve a second chance from you.