WATCH: In recent years, not only has the number of pet owners in Singapore gone up, they are also getting more attached to their beloved animals. TODAY speaks to two pet owners who see their 'furkids' as part of their family.
It was a hard sight to bear, and she could not stop thinking about her pet toy poodle, which had been adopted when it was barely a year old, waiting for her by the front door for days till Mrs Chan is back.
Mrs Chan — who has amassed more than 5,500 followers on Instagram page @little.coco.beans featuring the poodle’s numerous trips across Europe, outfits and freshly cooked meals — is part of a growing number of pet owners going above and beyond for their beloved animals.Mrs Chan brought her pet toy poodle Coco Bean along with her on long holiday trips, including to Germany . On flights, Coco Bean would sit calmly in its carrier bag .
“Pet owners are becoming more educated on pet health and further driven by the overarching wellness trend with nutritional or medicinal pet food and treats.” Some suggested implementing compassionate leave for pet owners when their pets cross the rainbow bridge. “For some reason after that incident, no one could come near me when I slept. My Samoyed was very protective of me and gave me so much love.”
Mr Khalizal has been surrounded by animals his whole life, and even had a stint as a hornbill trainer at Jurong Bird Park in the 1990s. His cats’ personalities and apparent understanding of his words also affirm Mr Khalizal’s perception that they are his children.“They make me feel happy, and I hope others will bond with their cats, and not abandon them after I give them advice.”
Like other pet owners who spoke to TODAY, Ms Kow pays special attention to her pets’ diets. Each meal is steamed fresh, and she switches between different types of meat and vegetables to give her fur babies a balanced diet.Leonard Leong/TODAY This touch is small for the amount of love Max has given Ms Liang, a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals board member.“Even while on a call, Max has to sit by my side and watch over me. If I close the door and leave her outside, she will scratch and whine to enter the room with me.”Ms Trina Liang's dog Max. Max has about 50 neckerchiefs.
She does get queries from other “pawrents” hoping to bring their furkids along on their world travels. But Mrs Chan tells TODAY she emphasises the importance of prioritising pets' health, ensuring their suitability to travel and need to be responsible. She had adopted the dog from a shelter in 2020 just weeks after an operation to treat it from water collecting in its brain. It also inherited multiple issues associated with the dog’s breed and would struggle to eat and breathe.When asked why she did it, Ms Quek said that she had to give her dog a fighting chance to survive.
In a 2021 study about pets, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Singapore found that 63 per cent of the 1,018 pet owners surveyed believe their pets can understand them, and 89 per cent felt their pets had a positive impact on their mental health. Since 2020, demand for rehabilitation services has grown by 400 per cent at RehabVet, said Dr Sara Lam, a veterinarian at the clinic. It receives 30 to 50 inquiries a month and has treated over 1,500 animals since 2019.A dog walking on an underwater threadmill at RehabVet on June 15, 2023. RehabVet was established in 2019 to provide rehabilitation services for animals, with a focus on mobility issues.
The 36-year-old co-founder of VetMobile is able to make about four house visits each day but noted that demand for her services has been high. One company, EasyDNA, has been providing DNA testing for dogs to help owners determine their pets’ breed, parentage and risk of diseases. Ms Annie Chua, head of personal lines at Income Insurance said that its Happy Tails Pet Insurance has seen more than 150 per cent growth between 2021 and 2022.
While the concept of daycare for pets is not new, The Snuggery director Elayne Kwok told TODAY that she has seen a 20 per cent increase in demand for her services this year, compared to 2019. While uncommon, some “pawrents” are also seeking legal help to ensure their pets are cared for if their pets outlive them.
The company told TODAY that it hosts three service halls so such private services can be done concurrently, allowing owners to seek closure. “Now, at least you can do a proper cremation, there’re procedures laid out and your pets are sent off with more dignity. It provides more comfort.” Working on the trading floor in full view of others amid the hustle and bustle, she recalled crying while her colleagues laughed.
For example, Colombia has a law that grants employees in the South American country two days’ paid leave if their pets die. However, such leave is not governed by legislation, and hence companies will find it “vital to carefully define eligibility through a comprehensive internal policy”. Pet owners like Ms Kow noted that it can be hard to find someone to trust their pets with. She, for one, always checks reviews and asks other “pawrents” for recommendations., the death of pets while under the care of some pet services have pet owners hoping for more stringent rules across the board.
Mr Khalirzal drives his cats around in his car, but noted that it can be expensive for pet owners to bring their furry ones out as pets are not allowed on MRTs and buses. Speaking to TODAY, Mr Ng raised other potential regulations to improve pet welfare here, such as ending"convenience euthanasia", where animals are euthanised without other training or healthcare options considered.
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