This newly launched pilot programme provides dog training, fostering and adoption support for canines fondly called Singapore Specials.
Aptly called Furever Yours, the programme aims to find forever homes for these dogs which have been at the SPCA shelter for some time. Singapore Special Bruce (pictured above) is the first shelter dog selected by SPCA for the programme, where he will receive training, fostering and adoption support from the team behind Singapore Zoo’s Animal Friends Show.
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.
There are many local community dogs like Bruce who are stigmatised as being unfriendly and are assumed to be untrainable. For dogs like Bruce which have experienced rejection and abandonment, they are trained to become adoptable by nurturing a more loving and sociable demeanour in them. These 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 the dogs (and the trainers as well).
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.
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.
Through this collaboration with the SPCA, Singapore Zoo hopes to grow awareness for shelter animals and promote pet adoptions.
Photo Credits: Wildlife Reserves Singapore
Prospective adopters can visit the website here to find out more and to begin the adoption process.