Singapore Zoo And SPCA Collaborate To Nurture Long-Term Shelter Dogs And Find Homes With Families

New pilot programme provides dog training, fostering and adoption support for canines fondly called Singapore Specials.

A new pilot programme by Singapore Zoo and SPCA is shining the spotlight on shelter dogs. Aptly called Furever Yours, the programme aims to find forever homes for these dogs which have been at the SPCA shelter for some time.

As part of the collaboration, Singapore Specials like Bruce receive training, fostering and adoption support from the team behind Singapore Zoo’s Animal Friends Show.

Singapore Special, Bruce, putting his best paw forward. Bruce is the first shelter dog selected by SPCA to be part of Furever Yours – a pilot programme with Singapore Zoo to rehome shelter dogs. | Image Source: Wildlife Reserves Singapore

Caring for and nurturing the Singapore Specials is a foremost priority and to create individualised care and training programme for each shelter dog, the Animal Friends Show will welcome one SPCA dog at a time.

Bruce was rescued by the SPCA in May 2016, after he was found in the streets wearing a choke chain, and likely abandoned. There are many local community dogs like Bruce who are stigmatised as being unfriendly and are assumed to be untrainable.

Always game for a buggy ride, especially when Bruce encounters one of Singapore Zoo’s friendly Wild Discoverer Tour guides. | Image source: Wildlife Reserves Singapore

“The dogs are introduced to a gentler form of training called positive reinforcement which is entirely voluntary. For cooperating in a variety of behaviours, they earn rewards which make training fun and enriching for both the dog and the trainer”, explains Gail Laule, Director, Animal Presentations, Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

“In nurturing a more loving and sociable demeanour in dogs like Bruce which have experienced rejection and abandonment, we are confident that they can become adoptable.”

Bruce sharing a joyful moment as he makes a positive connection with Singapore Zoo staff while on a walkabout. | Image source: Wildlife Reserves Singapore

Adds Dr Jaipal Singh Gill, SPCA Executive Director: “Singapore Specials selected for the fostering programme are long-staying shelter residents that have trouble finding homes, even though they are loving and intelligent dogs that can make excellent companions.”

Since joining the pack at the Animal Friends Show in August 2019, Bruce has been engaged in basic obedience training while learning behaviours to enrich his life and ease him into veterinary care procedures.

At first a reserved and cautious canine, Bruce has since shown his curious and friendly self, and enjoys buggy rides and daily walks around the zoo.

Bruce will join his buddies in the Animal Friends Show, in the meantime, while he puts his best paw forward in the hope of finding himself a new family and forever home.

Stopping for the picturesque view of the Upper Seletar Reservoir during one of his daily
walks. Bruce has a curious nature. | Image source: Wildlife Reserves Singapore

Showcasing the intelligence of animals which share close relationships with humans and promoting the message of responsible pet ownership, the Animal Friends Show advocates for adopting instead of shopping for pets to its audience.

Hope, a Labrador retriever and spaniel cross, was adopted by Singapore Zoo in 2009 after being abandoned at a local veterinary clinic. Hope has been a star of the show since 2010, and has been joined by two pairs of sibling pedigree dogs who are also rescues.

Bruce taking time out by the statue of the late Ah Meng, Singapore Zoo’s famous orangutan. | Image source: Wildlife Reserves Singapore

Through this collaboration with the SPCA, Singapore Zoo hopes to grow awareness for shelter animals and promote pet adoptions. Wildlife Reserves Singapore and local animal welfare groups have previously joined hands for two adoption drives that were held at the zoo to help rescued animals find homes.

Prospective adopters can visit https://www.spca.org.sg/bruce to find out more and to begin the adoption process.