SINGAPORE – Undergraduate Sarah Chua had been thinking of getting a dog for a while. It was not until the circuit breaker that the 22-year-old finally adopted one.
With her family – she lives with her parents and younger sister – home most of the time during that period, she found the opportunity to talk to them about the adoption.
"We had a serious family discussion to divide dog-caring duties because we didn't want to have disputes when the circuit breaker ends and we spend more time out of the home."
In May, her family adopted a five-year-old Singapore Special from dog shelter Exclusively Mongrels. Ms Chua named her Tau Pok (fried beancurd) because of the colour of his fur and as she loves food.
She says: "Life before Tau Pok was monotonous, especially at the start of the circuit breaker. I missed seeing my friends and it was boring taking walks on my own.
"Tau Pok has helped give my daily routine more structure and I get more exercise walking him. I am now more disciplined about managing my time so I can have more time with him."
Animal welfare organisations tell The Straits Times more people have expressed interest in adopting or fostering pets in recent months.
With work-from-home arrangements, new pet owners are better able to help the animals adjust to their new homes and routines.
Operations manager Jiny Mohandas has always wanted a dog, and like Ms Chua, she adopted one during the circuit breaker.
The 39-year-old was still travelling to the office, but her partner, a business analyst, was telecommuting from home. They adopted a four-year-old Singapore Special from Causes for Animals Singapore in May.
She says: "Having my partner work from home during this period helped the dog get accustomed to our home, and us to settle into a new routine."
They also made provisions for when her partner has to resume work in the office.
"We have trained our dog to be on its own at home when we go out. We also have a neighbour who can help check on the dog, and siblings who can dog-sit," says Ms Mohandas.
Companionship is one reason for growing interest in pet ownership during the pandemic.
Dr Pauline Sim, 64, a consultant psychiatrist at Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, says that cut off from social contact, people feel isolated. Pets, especially dogs and cats, make wonderful companions, providing warmth and distraction, she adds.
At Causes for Animals, co-founder Christine Bernadette, 31, notes an increase in adoptions during the pandemic.
Before April, the organisation had six to eight dog adoptions and two cat adoptions a month. Since the circuit breaker, the number has jumped to 10 to 12 dogs and five cats a month.
At Chained Dog Awareness In Singapore, a volunteer-run advocacy group which specialises in helping dogs suffering from confinement or tethering for long hours, co-founder Lee Pin observes a spike in the number of people looking to adopt or foster dogs since phase two, which started on June 19.
In June, July and this month, the group received 20 such enquiries – double the number pre-Covid-19.
Mr Colin Chew, 52, a volunteer with Just For Paws, says enquiries for adoption doubled during the circuit breaker, compared with the same period last year. Since April, the privately funded shelter has received 30 enquiries and six dogs were adopted. Three dogs were adopted in the same period last year.
Mr Chew says: "Pet ownership is a long-term commitment. You have to be available to care for the pet even if you have to go back to work in the office."
Ms Lee, who is in her 40s, agrees. During the pandemic, she says, more people realise that a pet can provide companionship and make their lives more fulfilling, especially when they give a home to an animal in need.
But pandemic or not, she adds, the usual rules of pet ownership apply, such as the level of commitment in caring for the animal.
Freelance lecturer Theresa Huang, 37, adopted a chihuahua on April 4, three days before the circuit breaker kicked in.
She says the dog, Chewie, has been a source of comfort, helping to stave off loneliness when she missed family and friends. She lives with her husband, a 43-year-old sales manager, who supported her decision to adopt a dog.
Ms Huang had already planned to do so before the pandemic and considered the time and cost involved before she worked from home during the circuit breaker.
She says: "People may think having a pet is to help ease your own loneliness, but they also need our company and care."
Community manager Mihyun Chung, 28, who is from South Korea, adopted a seven-year-old Singapore Special through Chained Dog Awareness last month.
She says: "Like a lot of people, the pandemic changed my lifestyle and daily routine. It also provided me with the inspiration for my new business idea, which afforded me the time to take care of a dog."
She is in the midst of switching to self-employment, which will allow her more control over her time.
Companionship was a key factor for undergraduate Atiqah Gafar, who lives alone, to adopt a pet last month. She chose a hamster as she finds it easier to care for than a cat. Her mother died of leukaemia last year and her father died 10 years ago.
The 22-year-old, who has four elder siblings but chooses to live alone, sRead More – Source
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