Dogs are family, therefore they must have space in our homes. Before the policy is somewhat unfair to some dogs specifically the big, giant dogs. They are not allowed in HDB flats. But dog lovers worry no more because recently some good news came in. We are in the 20th century, entities have opened their hearts to dogs. Just recently, dogs that measure in 55cm, chubby or thin are now welcome again in HDB flats per new policy. The policy was revised before only those that measure 50 cm and weighs 15kg can get in the flats.
HDB flat residents of Singapore can again enjoy the bigger, adorable dogs per Project Adore policy. This is the newest government policy, upgrading the size category of owning a local mixed-breed of man’s best friend, published The Strait Times.
The Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) told that those dogs standing 55cm in any weight are permitted to be brought back home to their HDB flats.
There was a big change compared to the past policy which was strict in terms of height and weight, only 15kg and 50 cm the maximum.
Project Adore started in 2012, gave that chance for HDB dwellers to own a local dog, a mixed-breed canine that are huge in size compared to other breeds and supported by HDB through property documentation with the correct measures.
The dogs should not be from commercial shops or breeders but from any of the five involved welfare groups such as the Action for Singapore Dogs and Causes for Animals, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Exclusively Mongrels, and Save Our Street Dogs.
Stray dogs are taken to vet centers or SPCA clinic to be sterilized, vaccinated and microchipped following the adoption via animal welfare organization or group.
The Animal and Veterinary Service operating under National Parks Board estimated the addition of more or less 50 dogs on top of the existing 250 dogs, ready to be rehomed annually under the new scheme.
The recent size benchmark will be evaluated in the next two-year pilot.
As of December 31, 2019, the scheme recorded at least 1,335 local heterogeneous breed hound rehomed.
The AVS explained the K9 adoption system, which allows adoption of the retired sniffer hound would be stretched for two more years due to the unavailability of canines during its one-year pilot stage.
Possible adopters will be checked well and compelled to follow strict rules which include sterilizing, routines vaccination and obedience training program.
For example, Brenda Chong and Yong Chian, a dog lover couple who adopted Belle, a three-year-old dog from Causes for Animals, August 2018 under the new scheme, Project Adore. Once a stray dog of Tuas, now pampered dog of the couple in a three-room unit of Telok Blangah.
Chong said, ” At the start, she was a bit awkward because she never experienced what it is to have a family, a home. But now, she’s relaxed and starting to get out of her shell. We knew because of her displayed yawning noises and she loved to sleep in our bed and all over the house.”
