Since the change in the Pooches Rules.....

Due to the licensing of dogs become stricter, AVA is fining people S$5000 instead of $500 (previously before 1st September 07) for not licensing their dogs.

Due to additional cost, many people are unwilling to pay for that license cost although it’s not much of a difference to me. It’s only $5.85 per month (License for an unsterilize dogs). You’re willing to pay $6+ for a McDonald’s Meal but not willing to pay for the license for a Living Thing who is part of your family. It’s so NOT Logical. Would you give up your children or family and abandon them on the streets?

It’s just a one time payment of $35 - $80 for the microchipped, one time licensing registration (tag) - $6.50 and annually $70 for non-sterilized dogs and $14 for sterilized dogs and puppies below 5 months. Microchipping your dog is for you to be able to find your dog easier when it got lost. Coz I believe many people out there may not put a collar on their dog when they’re at home due to the collar mark. At least having a microchip and they went missing, you’ll be able to identify them.

Wondering why there are so many people buying dogs and abandon them away. Don’t you love your dog? If not, why do you buy them in the first place? Trend? Oh! It’s so cute, I want it. It’s really not fair to the dog at all. When you buy a dog, think about commitment. Do you give your children away when they grow older, saying that they’re no longer adorable and misbehave. I don’t believe you will do so. Why cant people treat dogs just like their children and have a sense of responsibility? I know there are many dog lovers out there but there’re plenty of irresponsible owners out there too.

This new rule had cost a lot more dogs become homeless. The results aren’t what AVA was expecting. Ever since the effective of the rule, there has been an obvious increase in dogs are being abandon on the streets, given up or found and taken to SPCA. Doesn’t this cost more dogs to be become stray dogs and eventually will be put to sleep? All these are caused by irresponsible owners who don’t treat dogs like a living thing but just a toy to them. And this shows how much people “LOVE” their dogs.

I even read from this blog: http://projectjk.blogspot.com

The number of dogs found and posted in the Classifieds Lost & Found have increased and dogs of big breeds are found leashed to the trees/lamp posts in HDB vicinities (possibly belonging to the families living in HDB flats), coz they would not be permitted to obtain license from AVA to allow them to legally keep their pets in HDBs.

There also have been an increase in the number of small dogs found wandering in neighbourhoods, even on the highway. Possibly they belong to families living in HDBs who have more than 1 dog. By AVA regulations, each household in a HDB flat can only have 1 small dog of an approved breed.Thus, even if the change in rules and regulations arise out of good intentions to remedy irresponsible pet ownership and eventually reduce the numbers in our stray dog population....however....... without a mutual agreement with the HDB to change our current dog ownership laws for HDB dwellers, who are such a great majority in our country, such a solitary change on the AVA's part has caused the very ill that they intend to prevent -- INCREASED PET ABANDONMENT. And who are yet again on the suffering end? The very animals the law purports to protect. Now, did we not see this coming?

This is really unfair to the dogs who are owned by irresponsible owners. It really angers me. Why cant people accept their dogs being part of their family and treating them with respect and just like their children?

If you’re unwilling to pay the extra amount of money on a dog… then why bother to buy a dog or even keep a dog.

DON’T KEEP DOGS IF YOU’RE UNWILLING TO SPEND THE MONEY.

Woof… those are the thoughts of Mummy, Daddy & Mine. I’m lucky to be in a family who are not affected by the new rules.

Wish that people wont be abandoning their dogs even if the rules of licensing are stricter. As the dogs will be the only victim and not being appreciated.