The only way to close puppy mills down is to stop the demand. If you would like to welcome a dog into your family, choose adoption.

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There are a myriad of dog shelters and fosterers who have countless dogs of different breeds looking for a new home. Many of them will allow you to foster the dog before adopting it officially, to ensure that it fits well into your family’s lifestyle and capabilities. If it is not a good match, reputable and responsible fosterers and organisations will take the dog back and care for it until it finds a better home. In this way, unlike irresponsible establishments, they ensure their dog does not add to the homeless population of dogs looking for homes.

Mixed-breed dogs, also known as Singapore Specials, make fantastic pets as well. They are as good as any purebred, and come in all lovable shapes, sizes and colours. While it is true that some have 'baggage' and behavioural issues, just as many if not more have absolutely none. Lots of mixed-breed puppies can be found at local shelters like Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD), SOSD, or Animal Lovers' League - just to name a few. Furthermore, shelters treat the dogs with genuine love and care, and actively rehabilitate those with issues. When placing dogs up for adoption, they will be upfront and honest about any issues the dog may have, as they want the best match for their dog to have a forever home. Conversely, pet shops may prioritize making a sale, resulting in many unsuspecting owners purchasing a dog only to find that the dog is already ill with something like kennel cough, or has separation anxiety, without prior knowledge.

However, if one is set on a purebred, there are shelters in Singapore that rescue ex-breeding dogs, nurses them back to health, and then places them up for adoption. While their dogs are older, older dogs are actually much easier to manage as they are usually calmer and have outgrown their puppy problems (teething, short attention spans, needing frequent feeding, toilet-training, etc). They have just as much love to give and many years ahead of them!

Do check out SPCA and their Rehoming Notice Board as well, where individuals put their pets up for adoption.

Kinder Hearts is not affiliated with any shelter or other organisation in any way.

 

If you must purchase a puppy of a particular breed, ensure that you are buying from a reputable breeder (refer to “A Guide to Buying Ethically: Responsible Breeders" on this website). Unfortunately, there are few if no reputable, ethical breeders in Singapore. However, there are many reputable registered breeders from nearby countries that will import their puppies to Singapore.

 

Australia, a Category A country (refer to AVA's website) that means imported dogs do not require quarantine, is a popular choice.  Including import costs, the price of a puppy also adds up to similar to that of a store-bought one in Singapore! In the long-run, it will actually be cheaper, as you save thousands on vet fees when you buy a healthy, well-bred puppy versus one from a puppymill. Do refer to "A Guide to Buying Ethically: Responsible Breeders" on this website on advice on how to find such a reputable, ethical breeder. Do beware of backyard breeders and stay well away from them.

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IN SHORT:

What you can do:

1. ·Opting to adopt instead of buying is the best way to discredit puppy mills and demonstrate that you do not support unethical breeding practices. Never buy a puppy to “rescue” it from a pet store. While your intentions may be good, you are inherently creating more demand for the puppy mill and fueling their business with thousands of dollars.

2. ·Educate your friends and family if they are keen on buying a puppy. Warn them about the horrors of puppy mills and the implications of buying. Direct them to shelters and voluntary welfare organisations that have perfectly healthy dogs waiting to be adopted.

3. Share posts and articles about the unethical breeding practices in Singapore to raise awareness.