Animals

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Overview

Priority Issues

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Actionable Opportunity Areas

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Knowledge Gaps

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Key Statistics & Figures

[These should include figures that affect all or most animal groups of interest; specific figures should be found in the specific segments]

Definitions and Scope

Official definitions

[Guidance: identify target group and define who is included or excluded in this category: you want to get it just right: not too broad that it includes those you may not want to include, and not too narrow that it excludes those you want to help. Does this knowledge base include only 'pets' and 'community animals', or also wildlife, livestock and animals in scientific research?]

Biologically, animals are organisms under the kingdom Animalia. Colloquially, animals usually refer to non-human organisms of the above group. According to Singapore’s Animals and Birds Act, an animal is defined as “any mammal (other than man) or fish and includes any other living creature that is prescribed as an animal for the purposes of this Act or that falls within a class of animals that is prescribed for those purposes” while a bird is termed to include “domestic fowls, ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowls and pigeons of any age or sex and the eggs thereof” [1].

The broad term of "animals" can be further broken down into various categories: pets, community animals, wildlife, livestock and animals in scientific research.

Pets

Refer to this NParks web page for a list of allowed pets in Singapore. Other animals are not allowed as pets due to reasons listed on this NParks web page.

Community Animals

Community animals are also known as strays and refers to the "dogs and cats living in communal areas around us" [2].

Wild Animals

According to Singapore's Wild Animals and Birds Act, wild animals and birds "includes all species of animals and birds of a wild nature, but does not include domestic dogs and cats, horses, cattle, sheep, goats, domestic pigs, poultry and ducks" [3].

Livestock

Livestock in Singapore consists of hen (for eggs), fish, crustaceans and molluscs [4].

Areas of Needs / Desired Outcomes

[Read this templatised guide on how to populate this section]

[Insert Issue]

[Needs should not be identified in term of its specific solutions—eg youths need mentoring, seniors need hospice care, people with disabilities need day care (these are specific solutions we can be in the next column)—Instead, they should be defined in more ‘perennial terms’ because the solutions can change but the needs remain; I don’t need a CD player, or even an mp3 player, I need ‘portable music’ and currently the best solution seems to be Spotify]

[Also indicate the size of this specific need & projected demand were data is available]

Resources Gaps Ideas

Existing Resources

[e.g. existing services or programmes both private or public; relevant policies and legislation]

Gaps and Their Causes

[Some gaps could be due to 1) capacity of solution to meet size & projected demand, 2) quality of solution (effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, scalability etc.), 3) accessibility (geographical, cost to client)]

Possible Solutions

[Based on the specific gaps and reasons for those gaps, what might be solutions that can help? Insert existing but untapped resources, or new ideas that have not been considered yet]

Abandonment

Cases of pet abandonment are still on the rise. This is especially so for cats, where the cases increased from 9 to 21 to 57 in 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively [5]. One root cause of this problem is online marketplaces where there are black markets for pedigree cats created by backyard breeders who breed them and sell them on platforms like Facebook, Craigslist and Gumtree at 20% of prices in licensed stores [5]. Another root cause could be the price of sterilisation, which can go up to as high as $500, leading to overbreeding and abandonment [5]. Due to the COVID-19 situation, the problem has exacerbated likely due to paranoia of human-animal transmission of the virus. While the number of rabbit abandonment cases were low and usually of sick rabbits, there were recent cases of relatively healthy looking rabbits being abandoned [6].

EXISTING RESOURCES EFFECTIVENESS GAPS AND THEIR CAUSES POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
Microchipping for dogs
  • A microchip is a small transponder serving as a permanent identification system that is implanted under your pet's skin and read by a microchip scanner [7]. It can store information such as information on the pet's owner, breed, emergency contact numbers, health problems and food requirements [7]. The cost of microchipping is $50-90 [5].
  • Enhanced rules on microchipping and licensing has been mandated for dogs [5].
  • The mandated enhanced rules has lead to a reduction in dog abandonment cases [5]. This is largely due to the ability to track lost or abandoned pets back to their owners, which also deters owners from abandoning their pets by increasing accountability.
  • Serve as a responsible breeder’s assurance to buyers that puppies being sold are traceable and identifiable [7].
Microchipping for cats

There is an ongoing pilot for the microchipping of cats in the Chong Pang area [5], under Project Love Cats [8]. If outcomes are desirable and there is significant support from the community, this will be expanded [5].

The benefit of increased accountability of owners for their cats via microchipping is likely to also be the hindrance for success. This is because under current HDB rules, cats are not allowed in flats [5]. The reasons stated for this are that they are challenging to contain, shed fur, urinate/defecate at public areas and make noises that would be disruptive to neighbours [5]. Despite this, there are people who keep cats in HDB flats. HDB’s principal consideration is to preserve pleasant living envy btwn residents who are pet lovers and those affected by neighbours pets [5]. Therefore, if microchipping allows their cats to be linked to their illegal HDB addresses, they would likely be afraid to do so and risk getting caught for not complying with HDB regulations.
  • Ongoing holistic holistic review of the regulatory approach for pet issues, including how to promote responsible pet ownership and deter abandonment [5] [8].
  • Mandatory and subsidised sterilisation [5].
  • Relax HDB regulations on keeping cats in flats [5].
Responsible Pet Ownership (RPO) outreach programmes

AVS:

  • Conducts public education at various places like schools, public places, and the Animal Management Centre [9]
  • Annual roadshow involving animal welfare groups [9]
  • Inform existing and potential pet owners about how to care and to be responsible for pets [9]
  • 2017 Happy Pets Happy 'Hood II event at Waterway Point had an interactive exhibition gallery featuring four key topics – responsible pet ownership, considerate pet ownership, animal welfare, and the recommended approach when encountering stray animals [10]. It involved 12 animal re-homing partners who helped spread the message on RPO and raised funds [10]. There were also stage performances, pet-related craft activities, guided tours for pre-schoolers, and free basic health checks for pets [10]. 
  • Matchmaking sessions for potential pet owners and rescued animals e.g. that in the Happy Pets Happy 'Hood II event which was done in a speed dating format [11]
  • Programmes for the pre-school sector so educating on RPO starts young include talks, learning journeys to the Animal Management Centre, and Innovation Guidance Projects (IGPs) on Responsible Pet Ownership, which is a collaboration between AVA and the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) [12]
  • Children book series (four fiction books telling stories of real animals) by two Ngee Ann Polytechnic graduates in Early Childhood Development & Education and AVA to inform preschoolers about RPO and serve as teaching material for parents and teachers [12]
  • CWS' 4 to 6 week awareness programme for students involving [13]:
  1. A simulation exercise with a bag of flour/sugar or an egg, to learn about responsible cat ownership [13].
  2. A talk by a CWS volunteer or student leader to expand on the above experience [13].
  3. Running an awareness booth in the school to educate other schoolmates [13].
  4. Reaching out to the community by joining CWS volunteers in community education and outreach in HDB estates [13].
  • Aims to develop responsibility and empathy towards cats by experiencing what it takes to care for a cat over a period of time, teach students initiative and pro-activeness by organising their own awareness programmes and to spread their passion by sharing their learning points with others [13].
 2017 Happy Pets Happy 'Hood II event reached out to 23000 people [10].
School curriculum
  • In 2015, AVA supported MOE schools for the inclusion of animal welfare in the Primary 4 school curriculum [14]
  • SPCA's free resource library of lesson plans for teachers [14]
  • Animal welfare incorporated in the holistic curriculum at United World College, where students are graded for their work on animals in and out of the classroom [14]
  • Students are exposed to at least one lesson on the subject [14]
  • Impacts a wider audience compared to AVA and AWGs educating outside the school curriculum though events like talks and working with students on projects [14]
Laws

Animal abandonment legally falls under neglect and any person found guilty of neglecting an animal faces a fine of up to $10,000, and/or imprisonment for up to 12 months [15]. In the case of subsequent offences, the offender faces a fine of up to $20,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 2 years [15].

Regulations
  • Pet farm license for breeding animals
  • Pet shop licence for keeping or displaying animals for sale

Information on licence conditions for various farm types can be found below.

Neglect

EXISTING RESOURCES EFFECTIVENESS GAPS AND THEIR CAUSES POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
Laws

Pet owners are under a duty to [15]:

  • Provide their pet with adequate and suitable food and water;
  • Provide their pet with adequate shelter;
  • Not subject the pet to unreasonable or unnecessary pain or suffering in how they are handled, or confined; 
  • Protect their pet from any significant injury or disease; and
  • Make efforts to find their pets if they go missing.

Any person found guilty of neglecting an animal faces a fine of up to $10,000, and/or imprisonment for up to 12 months [15]. In the case of subsequent offences, the offender faces a fine of up to $20,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 2 years [15]. Where the person commits such an offence while in the course of employment in an animal-related business (e.g. at a pet boarding facility), they will be liable for a fine of up to $40,000 and/or to imprisonment for up to 2 years. In the case of subsequent offences, the offender faces a fine of up to $100,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 3 years [15].

The court has the power to disqualify those found guilty of animal cruelty or neglect from owning all kinds of animals for up to 12 months [15]. When such a disqualification order is made, the court may also take away any animals owned by the offender [15]. The court may also order for the animal to receive veterinary treatment [15]. In this situation, the offender is liable for all costs of the animal’s treatment until it has recovered [15].

Abuse/cruelty

EXISTING RESOURCES EFFECTIVENESS GAPS AND THEIR CAUSES POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
Laws

A person commits animal cruelty if they [15]:

  • Cause or allow any unnecessary physical or psychological pain or suffering to any animal by beating, kicking, torturing, ill-treating or terrifying the animal;
  • Make a sick or unfit animal work; or
  • Are involved in any business or incident related to animal fighting (e.g. dogfighting or cockfighting).

Any person found guilty of animal cruelty faces a fine of up to $15,000, and/or imprisonment for up to 18 months [15]. In the case of subsequent offences, the offender faces a fine of up to $30,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 3 years [15]. 

The court has the power to disqualify those found guilty of animal cruelty or neglect from owning all kinds of animals for up to 12 months [15]. When such a disqualification order is made, the court may also take away any animals owned by the offender [15]. The court may also order for the animal to receive veterinary treatment [15]. In this situation, the offender is liable for all costs of the animal’s treatment until it has recovered [15].

SPCA

Upon discovery of injured animals and when theSPCA has been alerted, Animal Rescue Officers who are on call 24/7 will be dispatched [15]. They will bring the animal to SPCA’s vets for medical treatment [15]. After treatment, most of these animals are released back into the community, put up for adoption or fostered by a fosterer [15]. Unfortunately, in some cases, the animal either does not survive the abuse, or is in such a state that they must be euthanised [15]. In such a situation, the court may make an order to euthanise the animal [15].

The SPCA does not have any powers of enforcement [15].

Adoption

Through an analysis of various animal shelters' annual reports, we have found that there is generally low adoption rates and high numbers of animals being rescued over the years. The COVID-19 situation has exacerbated the problem as animal shelters are not allowed to conduct physical adoption drives [16]. There is also paranoia about human-animal transmission of the virus, as well as the financial instability in the public, likely leading to lower tendencies of people adopting animals [16]. However, there has also been an opposite response as safe distancing measures have led to AWGs receiving more fostering and adoption requests, possibly due to working from home and needing companionship [17]. Given how the situation has also affected AWGs' manpower, they face difficulties in processing these requests as new fosterers need training while adoption processes are often stringent [17]. AWGs are also concerned that people may only be willing to foster for short periods of time such as only during the circuit breaker or could be adopting on impulse due to the lifestyle that the current crisis imposes [17].

EXISTING RESOURCES EFFECTIVENESS GAPS AND THEIR CAUSES
Project ADORE
  • Permanent scheme since 2014 [18]
  • Supported by Animal Welfare Groups (AWGs) - Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD), Save our Street Dogs (SOSD), Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Exclusively Mongrels (EM) and Causes for Animals (CAS) [18]
  • HDB flat owners can adopt local mixed breed dogs aka Singapore Specials (up to 15 kg in weight and 50 cm in height - limits are comparable to the size of toy breeds allowed) [18]
  • Only one dog per flat [18]
  • Abide by stringent ownership conditions [18]
    • Sterilisation, routine vaccination and micro-chipping [18]
    • New owners must also apply for a dog licence [18]
    • New owners will have to enrol their dogs for obedience training courses at the point of adoption, and sign a Code of Responsible Behaviour (CORB) which includes requirements to ensure that their dogs do not cause nuisances to the neighbours [18]
  • June 2017: expansion to allow rehoming of retired sniffer dogs in HDB flats under a one-year pilot. Dog handlers from the Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force K-9 units, and the MWDU are now allowed to rehome retired sniffer dogs in HDB flats. [18]
  • August 2018: became permanent scheme and members of the public staying in HDB flats are also allowed to adopt retired sniffer dogs, on a one-year pilot basis [18]
  • Allowable sniffer dog breeds include Labradors, English Springers, Cocker Spaniels and Pointers [18]
  • Residents have been receptive to larger dog breeds in their neighbourhoods if the dog owners behaved responsibly and there were proper channels in place for dispute mediation. The scheme has been well-received thus far. [19]
  • MND will review the pilot expansion after one year and assess whether to extend it to other types of service dogs [19]
Causes for Animals livestream during COVID-19 Received considerable number of adoption enquiries

Stray/community animal management

The 400 stray dogs on Jurong Island, which have no available food and shelter, posed safety and traffic risks [20]. Thus, they had to be removed [20].

The stray dog population in Singapore totals to around 7000, where most are around construction sites and industrial areas [21]. If stray dogs, especially those in packs, revert to their feral instincts, they may pose danger to the public and they are also a potential reservoir of disease such as rabies [22].

EXISTING RESOURCES EFFECTIVENESS GAPS AND THEIR CAUSES
Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage (TNRM) programme
  • Jurong Island pilot project started in 2014 [20] [23]
  • Targeted to conclude within two years but was extended by Jurong Town Corporation [20]
  • Coordinated by ACRES and operationalised by SOSD, Noah's Ark Cares (NAC) and Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD) [20]
  • Alternative to culling [20]
  • Involved capture of dogs to be placed in a shelter area built within the forested areas to cope temporarily before population numbers start dwindling [20]
  • 5 year programme launched in 2018 [24]
  • Collaboration between NParks' Animal Veterinary Service (AVS), Animal Welfare Groups (AWGs), veterinarians and other relevant stakeholders [24]
  • Humane and science-based approach that seeks to capture, sterilise and subsequently rehome stray dogs or if impossible, release them at suitable places [24]
  • Stray dog feeders identify and bring dogs to the participating AWGs for management [24]
  • Aims to sterilise over 70% of Singapore's stray dog population [24]
  • AVS supports AWGs' costs throughout the TNRM process [24]
  • Has been successful for the stray cat population in Chong Pang estate [23]
Three-year Stray Dog Study
  • From 2015-2018 [21]
  • Conducted by AVS and a research team comprising of Singaporeans and Australians [21]
  • Aims to estimate the stray dog population size, shed light on their ecology and collect data such as their activity patterns, range size, mortality rates, reproductive rates [21]
  • In conjunction with the above study, National Institute of Education researchers are also studying stray dogs' impact on native biodiversity in nature reserves [21]
Handbook on Feeding Stray Dogs Responsibly
  • Published by AVS [24]
  • Aims to promote awareness on feeding stray dogs responsibly and to take into account public health considerations to foster human-animal coexistence [24]
Stray Cat Sterilisation Programme (SCSP)
  • Piloted in 2011 [25]
  • Supported by Ministry of National Development (MND) and stakeholders are AVS, National Environment Agency (NEA), Town Councils, Cat Welfare Society (CWS) and Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) [25]
  • Includes all Housing and Development Board (HDB) estates, private residential, commercial, and industrial areas [25]
  • Aims to manage Singapore's stray cat population and reduce nuisance issues like caterwauling [25]
  • AVS subsidises 50% of sterilisation costs for each cat (up to $30 for a male cat, up to $60 for a female cate and $20 for microchipping)[25]

Perception of shelter animals

EXISTING RESOURCES EFFECTIVENESS GAPS AND THEIR CAUSES
The Perfect Voiceovers Campaign
  • Part of Edelman Singapore's Global Day of Understanding Initiative, in partnership with five dog shelters and animal welfare groups (Causes for Animals Singapore, Action for Singapore Dogs, Society for Animal Matters, Chained Dog Awareness and Mutts Rescue) [26]
  • Aims to alter public perceptions of shelter dogs and to promote inclusivity [26]
  • Features the stories of nine people who overcame certain hardships in life, and stories of shelter dogs were presented as parallels [26]

Lack of resources

Animal shelters in Singapore often lack resources in terms of manpower, funding and space. People hardly want to take on a full-time job with welfare groups because of the hard work and yet low remuneration [27]. In 2018, Oasis Second Chance Animal Shelter (OSCAS) only has one full-time employee who earns $13 per hour which is less than her previous job as a nurse that requires a diploma [27]. However, increasing remuneration would be challenging as AWGs often work with tight budgets [28]. Thus, hiring work-permit holders at $600-800 a month would help greatly compared to hiring a local at $1600 a month [28]. Attendant legal employment terms also pose challenges for animal welfare groups in hiring locals [27]. Despite manpower shortages, charity groups like animal welfare groups are not allowed to employ foreign workers [27]. Some AWGs are trying to obtain permits to employ foreign workers [27][28]. The regulations and manpower quotas have been said to disadvantage non-profit organisations compared to businesses [28]. Many AWGs thus rely heavily on volunteers. This is unfortunately not always a long term, consistent and reliable source of manpower. For example, many student volunteers are sometimes unable to commit during times like exam periods [27]. Youth volunteers may also be discouraged by the hard work since volunteers may be tasked with various roles such as event helper, administrative worker and cleaner [29]. Students may be driven to volunteer to fulfil their Community Involvement Programme (CIP) requirements in school, and may think that the work at animal shelters would be fun due to a lack of understanding [29]. The COVID-19 situation has exacerbated the manpower crunch as volunteering is reduced due to the circuit breaker measures, leading to fewer dogs being walked and a lower bathing frequency for them in some shelters [17]. AWGs are not government funded and rely largely on donations and fund raising activities. Various AWGs such as CWS and Pets Villa faced instances where they almost had to cease operations due to financial issues [30][31]. This could be due to a lack of support from corporates as animals are not prioritised on a corporate social responsibility key performance indicator over other social causes (animal welfare is underdeveloped as a charity sector) [30]. After the move to The Animal Lodge in 2018, shelters faced higher bills and had to spend on renovating units which added to their financial problems since some shelters did not have to pay rent at previous locations [32].

EXISTING RESOURCES EFFECTIVENESS GAPS AND THEIR CAUSES
Manpower
AVA supports AWGs' appeal to hire foreign workers by
  • Writing in to authorities [27]
  • Advising AWGs to engage services of The Animal Lodge's managing agent (Guthrie FMC) or tap foreign workers depending on the "mainstream work pass requirements for the services sector" [28]
 Engaging services of The Animal Lodge's managing agent is not feasible as it would mean having pee and poo cleaned only when the cleaning services come at fixed timings [28]
Space
The Animal Lodge
  • 7000 capacity [28]
  • Many animal welfare groups relocated from various shelters in Pasir Ris, Loyang, Seletar and Lim Chu Kang to the new Animal Lodge at Sungei Tengah in 2018 [27]
  • Aims to alter public perceptions of shelter dogs and to promote inclusivity [26]
  • Features the stories of nine people who overcame certain hardships in life, and stories of shelter dogs were presented as parallels [26]
  • Concentrated area for ease of looking for a pet or certain requirements in a pet e.g. breed or temperament [27]
  • Animal welfare groups have a dedicated space after their land leases expire and do not have to move often [27]
  • Rent is more than what animal shelters used to pay, while the space is less than what they used to have [27]. On top of that, AWGs still have to cover wages, food costs and veterinary bills [27].
  • SPCA now has a larger area including rehabilitation and education centres, thus incurring higher operating costs [30]
  • Bigger dogs suffer from tight, concrete spaces with little sunlight and ventilation [27]
  • Enclosures are more difficult to wash as they are sheltered while the previous location had a more open concept [27]
  • Loss of volunteers e.g. cases where shelters who used to be at Pasir Ris lost volunteers who live in the east. This is due to the inconvenient location which is 1.5km from the nearest bus stop, compared to the 800m walk from the nearest bus stop at the Pasir Ris area [27]. The commute is also considered expensive by some, and there is now a parking fee compared to the free parking previously [27].
  • Loss of manpower from foreign workers supplied by previous landlords e.g. Ericsson Pet Farm and Pet Movers as part of the tenancy arrangements/rental package [28]
Funding
  • Rental rates at The Animal Lodge are charged at cost-recovery, the rental security deposit waived, and a rent-free period was provided along with a one-off relocation assistance package of S$7,500 per unit for the groups [28]
  • National Parks Board (NParks) to directly oversee operations at The Animal Lodge, so total rental charges for commercial tenants will decrease by about 15 per cent, while that for non-commercial tenants including animal welfare groups and shelters will decrease by about 30 per cent [32]
 Eases financial burdens on animals shelters as they do not have to pay $600 conservancy charges for example [32]
AVS worked with stakeholders to ensure and maintain working facilities e.g. remove waste that blocked pipes [32] Reduction in monthly service and conservancy charges [32]

Protection of wildlife in Singapore

EXISTING RESOURCES GAPS AND THEIR CAUSES POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
Animals and Birds Act
  • Any person who cruelly beats, kicks, ill-treats, over-rides, over-drives, over-loads, tortures, infuriates or terrifies any animal is guilty of an offence.[33]
  • Although in theory a python or a monitor lizard is afforded the same level of legal protection as an otter or a pangolin, in practice, many wild reptiles are treated as pests and are not handled properly. For example, snake removal is often done by pest control operators. Pest control is not usually trained to handle these wild animals and they often end up harming the animal or themselves.[34][35]
 Provide proper training, certification and follow-up for pest control operators to make sure they are up-to-date and are adhering to proper standards when they handle these animals.

Public education

EXISTING RESOURCES GAPS AND THEIR CAUSES POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
Wildlife Reserves Singapore
  • WRS gives talks about Singapore’s biodiversity, its significance to our heritage and the importance of conservation.[36]
  • Still, the overwhelming majority of Singaporeans consider these animals to be dangerous pests. However, the truth is that reptiles are part of our native biodiversity that provide a wide range of ecosystem services (e.g. Pythons are what help to keep invasive rat populations at bay).[37]
 The Singaporean education system should include a) The importance of preserving and coexisting with native biodiversity and b) curriculum teaching kids to value and respect biodiversity regardless of visual appeal. In other words, even if somebody thinks snakes and monitor lizards are scary and disgusting, they should be able to appreciate the importance of living together with these animals.

Funding in biodiversity research

EXISTING RESOURCES GAPS AND THEIR CAUSES POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
Wildlife Reserves Singapore
  • Provides funding for projects related to research and conservation of Singapore’s endangered native wildlife.[38]
  • Current research is limited by the amount of funding it receives. Understanding our biodiversity better can better equip us to co-exist with it.
 Increase funding for wildlife research projects.

Increase sources of funding for wildlife research projects e.g NParks, NEA.

Need for end of life and post-death arrangements

Morechoose to cremate pets (ST 17 Sep 2017)

Existing Resources

Gaps and Their Causes

Possible Solutions

Animal Assisted Interventions

[Categorization required:Where should these be? This can be something that is listed somewhere on the animal pages, but possibly it is better on mental health page, and cross-linked here?]

Animal-assisted Therapy (AAT)

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a type of therapy that involves animals as a form of treatment [39]. It falls under the realm of Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI). AAT may differ in terms of the animals introduced, the reason for therapy, or the targeted audience. In a literature review done in 2000, researchers found that several types of animals such as horses, dogs, and cats have been used for AAT in clinical trials [40] although the most commonly used types of AAT are canine-assisted therapy and equine-assisted therapy.

The goal of AAT is generally to improve a patient's social, emotional, or cognitive functioning and research has found that animals can be useful for educational and motivational effectiveness for participants. There are various studies documenting the positive effects of AAT reported through subjective self-rating scales and objective physiological measures, such as blood pressure, hormone levels, etc.

Canine-assisted Therapy

Canine-assisted therapy has been attempted in various contexts, for various populations. Here are some examples of activities used for canine-assisted therapy, and how they benefit the target population.

Activity Target 

Population

Benefit(s)
Feeding dog a treat using a pair of tongs [41] Individuals with Dementia/ Cognitive impairments Improves perception, concentration, and provide sensory stimulation for patients with cognitive impairment
Motor skills tasks modeled by dog [42] Preschool Children Completed task faster when modeled by a canine than by the handler
Dog walking General Gives purpose to a walking programme - motivation for adherence
Activity of daily living e.g. feeding, grooming the dog teeth [43] Older adults with dementia/ cognitive impairments Improves physical, behavioural, and emotional function
Reading to dogs [44] Children Improved reading performance
Communication, establish rapport with dog [45] Individuals with Schizophrenia Improve social functioning
Cases in Singapore
  1. Therapy Dogs Singapore
    • Non-profit voluntary welfare organization established in 2004 to share the unconditional love and affection of canine companions with society’s disadvantaged through Pet Assisted Therapy (PAT), which aims to meet physical, as well as socio-emotional needs [46]
    • Conducts regular Animal Assisted Activity (AAA) sessions to its seven adopted homes (AWWA, Bishan Home for Intellectually Disabled, Bethany Nursing Home Choa Chu Kang, IMH, MINDS, SWAMI, Assisi Hospice), in addition to ad hoc visits [46]
    • Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) programmes, which involves physiotherapy and occupational therapy goals for select individuals, are also carried out as often as deemed possible [46]
    • Therapy dogs are privately owned
  2. HOPE Dog Rescue
    • Assisi Hospice visited by Button (Hokkien therapy dog) [47]
    • Monthly visits to St Joseph's Home by volunteers’ and rescued dogs, including special needs dogs [48]
    • Therapy dogs are either privately owned by volunteers or rescued dogs [48]
  3. SOSD's Healing Paws
    • Established in 2014 to provide comfort and warmth to persons in need via Animal-Assisted-Activities (AAA) [49]
    • Owners and their dogs volunteer their time in institutions such as children’s homes, elderly homes, and hospices, providing companionship, motivation, and recreation [49]
    • Programme partners: Assisi Hospice, Ren Ci, Lions Home for the Elders, Ang Mo Kio Thye Hwa Kwan Hospital, Kheng Chiu Loke Tin Kee Home [49]
    • Therapy dogs are privately owned
  4. Pawsibility
    • Counselling practice established in 2013 [50]
    • Conducts programmes with various schools, agencies and other voluntary welfare organizations [50]
    • Support and advise on various animal-assisted activity programmes, such as SOSD’s Healing Paws, as part of Corporate Social Responsibility efforts [50]
  5. Dover Park Hospice’s Ruby Volunteer Group
    • Pet-lovers who bring their beloved companions to interact with patients under the Pets-Assisted Therapy (PAT) Programme [51]
Cases Abroad
  1. San Francisco SPCA’s Animal Assisted Interactions Programmes
    • About 300 volunteer Animal Assisted Interactions (AAI) teams visit locations throughout San Francisco [52]
    • Animals are privately owned
    • Puppy Dog Tales Reading (PDT) Program started in 2007 to promote literacy and a love of reading in at-risk youth populations [53]
    • San Francisco Airport’s Wag Brigade
      • Programme launched in 2013 to bring trained dogs and a pig to the terminals to make passenger travel more enjoyable [54]
      • Animals certified through their Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) Program to roam the terminals [54]
  2. Shelter dog rehomed with Alzheimer’s patients in Province of Bologna (Piva et al., 2008)
    • Study investigating if a shelter dog could be rehomed successfully into a facility for people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) [55]
    • Assessed effect on animal welfare of this form of pet ownership and of individual sessions of animal assisted activity (AAA) with some pre-selected patients [55]
    • Dog’s welfare was monitored during the first 6 months of adoption by integrating various measures (indirect assessment with direct observations of behavioural and clinical responses, assay of hormonal changes) [55]
    • Findings suggest a progressive positive integration into the new environment and a gradual reduction of the dog’s stress during AAA sessions [55]

Resource Directory

Animal Welfare Groups

General

SPCA: Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Singapore)

Animal Lovers League

Causes for Animals Singapore

Keep Caring for Animals in The Society (KEEP C.A.T.S.)

A non-profit organisation that conducts sterilisation of stray cats and dogs, and undertakes rehoming efforts.

Agency for Animal Welfare

MdM Wong's Shelter and Friends

Society for Animal Matters

Animal Human Alliance

Dogs

Adopt a Dog

A non-profit non-affliated website which consolidates all dogs for adoption in Singapore for ease of viewing and searching.

Action For Singapore Dogs

Voices For Animals

Rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes retired breeding dogs.

Save Our Street Dogs

Hope Dog Rescue

Gentle Paws

(OSCAS) Oasis Second Chance Animal Shelter

Cats

Cat Welfare Society

Sterilisation and Adoption

Other Companion Animals

House Rabbit Society Singapore

Hamster Society Singapore

Wildlife Management

ACRES: Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Singapore)

  1. ↑ https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/ABA1965#pr41-XX-pr41-
  2. ↑ https://www.nparks.gov.sg/avs/animals/animal-management/living-with-community-animals-in-your-neighbourhood/meeting-stray-dogs
  3. ↑ https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/WABA1965
  4. ↑ https://www.tablebuilder.singstat.gov.sg/publicfacing/createDataTable.action?refId=14610
  5. ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/surge-abandoned-cats-microchipping-answer
  6. ↑ https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/coronavirus-healthy-rabbits-abandoned-amid-fears
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 https://www.nparks.gov.sg/avs/pets/owning-a-pet/lost-and-found-pets/microchipping
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/ava-review-pet-regulations-microchipping-cats-abandonment-11320256
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 https://www.nparks.gov.sg/avs/animals/animal-welfare/animal-and-pets-welfare/promoting-responsible-pet-ownership-(rpo)
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 https://www.mnd.gov.sg/mndlink/2018/jan-feb/pdf/index.pdf
  11. ↑ https://www.sfa.gov.sg/files/AVAVision/Issue3_2017/nurturing-responsible-pet-owners.html
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 https://www.ecda.gov.sg/growatbeanstalk/Pages/Human%20Interest%20Stories/Jean-rong-and-Rachel-AVA.aspx
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 https://www.catwelfare.org/working-with-youths/
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2015/02/05/bigger-better-animal-welfare-roadshows-but-is-it-enough-to-make-a-difference/
  15. ↑ 15.00 15.01 15.02 15.03 15.04 15.05 15.06 15.07 15.08 15.09 15.10 15.11 15.12 15.13 15.14 15.15 15.16 15.17 15.18 15.19 15.20 15.21 15.22 https://singaporelegaladvice.com/law-articles/animal-abuse-cruelty-singapore-offences-penalties/
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3075512/singapore-animal-shelters-full-pet-adoption-drives
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/covid-19-spore-animal-shelters-see-surge-adoption-and-fostering-interest-cannot-process
  18. ↑ 18.00 18.01 18.02 18.03 18.04 18.05 18.06 18.07 18.08 18.09 18.10 https://www.mnd.gov.sg/our-work/engaging-our-communities/project-adore
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 https://www.mnd.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/view/retired-sniffer-dogs-from-k-9-and-military-working-dog-units-to-be-rehomed-under-pilot-expansion-of-project-adore
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 20.6 https://sosd.org.sg/cause-view/jurong-island-trap-neuter-release-program/
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/ava-to-roll-out-5-year-sterilisation-programme-to-manage-stray-dog-population
  22. ↑ https://www.sfa.gov.sg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/media-release---ava-working-with-animal-welfare-groups-and-vets-to-roll-out-five-year-programme-on-the-sterilisation-of-stray-dogs-to-manage-the-stray-population.pdf
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/pilot-project-test-managing-stray-dogs-without-culling
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 24.5 24.6 24.7 https://www.nparks.gov.sg/avs/animals/animal-management/living-with-community-animals-in-your-neighbourhood/meeting-stray-dogs
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 https://www.nparks.gov.sg/avs/animals/animal-management/living-with-community-animals-in-your-neighbourhood/living-in-harmony-with-stray-cats
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/giving-shelter-dogs-voice-change-publics-perception
  27. ↑ 27.00 27.01 27.02 27.03 27.04 27.05 27.06 27.07 27.08 27.09 27.10 27.11 27.12 27.13 27.14 27.15 https://pride.kindness.sg/singapores-animal-welfare-groups-struggle-to-stay-afloat-amid-manpower-crisis/ -2018
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 28.4 28.5 28.6 28.7 28.8 https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/understaffed-animal-welfare-groups-tengah-lodge-seek-authorities-help-hire-foreign-workers
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 https://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20100302-201781.html
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/animal-welfare-groups-running-short-of-funds
  31. ↑ https://www.theurbanwire.com/2019/09/shelters/
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 32.4 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/the-animal-lodge-tenants-to-pay-lower-rents-as-nparks-takes-over-management-of-animal
  33. ↑ https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/ABA1965#pr42-
  34. ↑ https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/ava-investigating-incident-in-which-pestbusters-staff-throws-snake-and-steps
  35. ↑ https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/struggle-with-3m-long-snake-outside-tang-plaza-shocks-orchard-road-shoppers
  36. ↑ https://www.wrs.com.sg/en/singapore-zoo/learning-with-us/education-programmes/lessons-secondary.html
  37. ↑ https://onlinelibrary-wiley-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/doi/pdf/10.1111/btp.12458
  38. ↑ https://www.wrs.com.sg/en/conservation/local-conservation-support.html
  39. ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123814531100030?via%3Dihub
  40. ↑ https://www-sciencedirect-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/science/article/pii/S1744388118302214?via%3Dihub
  41. ↑ https://europepmc.org/article/med/23474867
  42. ↑ https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2007-19902-006
  43. ↑ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1533317514545477
  44. ↑ https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0149759
  45. ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1064748112614596
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 46.2 http://www.tdspore.org/wp/about-us/
  47. ↑ https://www.assisihospice.org.sg/news/therapy-dog-trained-in-hokkien-brings-cheer/
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 http://hopedogrescue.blogspot.com
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 49.2 https://sosd.org.sg/community-outreach/healing-paws/
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 50.2 https://www.pawsibility.com.sg
  51. ↑ https://www.doverpark.org.sg/our-volunteers/
  52. ↑ https://www.sfspca.org/animal-assisted-therapy/
  53. ↑ https://www.sfspca.org/animal-assisted-therapy/puppy-dog-tales/
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 https://www.flysfo.com/services-amenities/wag-brigade
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 55.2 55.3 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1558787807002213?via%3Dihub
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