D.O.G.S Updates

I first wrote about D.O.G.S in July and it's time to give you all an update. D.O.G.S has been incorporated as a company limited by guarantee and is now in the process of applying for charity and IPC status. What that means is we will be able to enjoy tax free donations while donors will enjoy tax exemption benefits on the amount they donated. This is the most efficient and effective way to ensure all proceeds go towards helping the dogs. In future, all donations that we have collected are 100% going towards dog welfare, and no one in the organisation will be drawing any salary at all. This is our pledge to the dogs and our supporters.

It is only when we get charity status that we will start campaigning for donations. In the meantime, my co-founder Manida, and I are still using our own money to help the dogs. Here's a quick look at what we have been doing the past months...

D.O.G.S has been featured in the Oct/Nov issue of Pets magazine. The article talks about how we rehabilitate dogs to improve their quality of life at the dog shelters. If you like what we do, please LIKE our D.O.G.S Facebook Page and share it with your friends.

For the month of September, I also did a private donation drive for dog food for Madam Wong's Shelter. I am thankful to all the friends who responded and donated generously. Together, we raised 156 cartons, which is a total of 1,872 cans of dog food worth over $4,680. The dogs are happy, so are we.

While Manida and I were in Perth for work in September, we visited Shenton Park Dogs' Refuge Home and the West Australian Guide Dog Association. At the Dogs' Refuge Home, we learn why this established dog shelter has a high success rate in re-homing the rescued dogs, as well as the good practices and volunteer training program that they have in place. We hope to be able implement some of these good practices in the dog shelters in Singapore.

 Shenton Park Dogs' Refuge Home in Perth

Manida and I with the guide dogs in training at WA Guide Dog Association

With the festive season just around the corner, we have decided to launch some cute merchandise for sale to raise funds to help the doggies.

The first batch of our limited edition D.O.G.S button badges. These are given to those who have supported us and to those who purchase 5 packs or more of our Charity X'mas Cards. 

The limited edition X'mas cards in aid of Madam Wong's Shelter. The cute illustrations were done by Melissa Tan, a talented artist who is also a volunteer at the shelter. The dogs in the pictures were dogs that D.O.G.S have rehabilitated. Each pack costs S$8 and consists of 4 cards in different designs. The response have been overwhelming and they are almost sold out. We will raise over S$2,800 from this charity drive and will be using the money towards the medical welfare of the dogs at Madam Wong's Shelter.

For more information, you can visit us on D.O.G.S Facebook page.

PFF Report - Shenton Park Dogs' Refuge Home

4th October is World Animal Day and it is apt for me to dedicate today's blog entry to dog welfare. During my visit to Perth as the ambassador for Perth Fashion Festival, I specifically requested to visit a dog shelter. Why? Because I would like to learn from established dog shelters on the methods utilised and procedures implemented. 

 

The Dogs' Refuge Home is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the rescue, care and re-homing of dogs. Established in 1935, it is one of the oldest animal welfare agencies in Australia.

I had the privilege of having Ian Coombes, Vice President, to show me around this amazing well-run facility. 

The luxury of land and space is something we lack in Singapore. I was told that even though this shelter receives no funding from the government, it does enjoy low or almost rent-free space. I really hope the Singapore government can allocate a piece of land for us to build a world-class shelter to provide good welfare for the dogs in Singapore.

This no-kill dog refuge home is capable of housing up to 150 dogs. Ian told me this shelter has a great success rate of rehoming the dogs. A whopping 90% of the dogs were being rehomed last year!

Adoption fees vary from A$320 - A$530, and the fee includes microchip, vaccination, sterilisation, worming and flea treatment. The best part, it comes with a temperament assessment. I wish all dog rehomers in Singapore will assess the dogs before they rehome them. It is important to also assess potential adopters to make sure they make good and responsible dog owners.

Communication is key. This shelter sets a good example by having a huge notice board so all volunteers get the latest updates on all the dogs.  

All the dogs are colour coded according to their personality level. White (easiest), Yellow, Green, Blue (most difficult). A magnet on the day means the dog has been walked. This is so volunteers won't walk the same dog twice and give other dogs a chance to be walked. Volunteers also have to undergo training and be graded according to their knowledge and experienced level. Even though I am fairly experienced, I was not allowed to bring a dog out as I have not been assessed yet! Blimey!

Let's do a pictorial tour of the shelter...

There are several kennels and I love the paintings on the wall. The shelter receives good corporate sponsorships and the logos of the sponsors are painted on the walls too.

There is also a pet cemetary on site that is available to public. It is really touching to see the respect that dogs get here. 

The luxury of having fenced up dog run areas at the back of the shelter. Dogs can learn to go off leash within a safe environment. It does wonders to the dog's well being when they are walked daily, let off to run and play frequently. Perhaps that is the reason why the dogs in this shelter are so balanced and happy. I can tell the big difference between the dogs here and the dogs in Singapore shelters.

See the yellow tag. This dog is coloured coded as Yellow. Her temperament is also recorded and displayed for the volunteers to see.

This puppy gets to stay in the office so he can get used to human interaction on a daily basis.

The kennels are spacious and the resident dogs get a big space to live in. They have elevated beds so they stay dry when the floors are being washed. They also have heating lamps above their beds to keep them warm on cold days.

Shenton Park Dogs' Refuge Home also runs a boarding facility for owners to board their dogs. Check out the cute signage.

There is also a quarantine section for dogs that have just arrived. New dogs have to be quarantined for 7 days and have to be medically assessed before they are being taken in and housed on a permanent basis. This is such a good practice! There is also a medical facility on site where the in-house vet performs sterilisation and medical procedures. World class facility indeed!

A photo to remember our visit. Left to right: Manida (my co-founder of D.O.G.S), Ian (Vice President), me, Karen (President). I hope to visit again next year and stay long enough to attend the volunteer training program.

I bought a cap for myself at the Shenton Park Dogs' Refuge Home shop.

I bought these cute Fuzzyard plushies for my doggies too. All proceeds go towards the funding of the dogs. Definitely shopping for a good cause!

For more information, please visit www.dogshome.org.au

The Proper Way To Greet Dogs

Whether you are a dog owner or dog lover, it is important to know the proper way to greet dogs. More so if one is fearful of dogs, as lack of knowledge is what triggers dog bites or attacks.

Dr Sophia Yin has some cool and cute illustrations to teach one the right way to greet dogs. Learn it, share it, and the doggy world will be a better place for all. *Parents, if you are reading this, please teach your kids. :)

My personal belief is when in doubt, just remember this... don't do unto dogs what you don't want others to do unto you. Always respect their personal space and be patient. If you are confronted by stray dogs, stay calm, avoid eye contact (it is deemed as a challenge), walk (not run, especially since you won't be able to outrun a dog) and slowly back off.

For more information, please visit : drsophiayin.com

Good Will Hunting

On 30th December 2011, my life changed forever. Since I visited Pets Villa by Animal Lovers League, I ascertained the fact that I want to devote some of my spare time in helping abandoned and less fortunate dogs. In fact, it sparked off an interest for me to pursue an education in dog behaviour and training with the objective of being certified as a dog behavourist.

I took this picture of Will on my first visit. I was really touched by what I witnessed at the shelter and I decided to sponsor Will. Sponsorship is S$130 per month and the money goes towards the general fund pool to help the other animals at the shelter - over 300 dogs and 200 cats.

I made a promise to myself and Will that I will visit him weekly. The success rate of rescued dog being adopted is highly dependent on its personality and obedience. Hence, I decided to spend a few hours each week with Will to teach him how to be calm, how to walk properly on a leash, as well as some basic commands.

Taking Will for his walk and giving him a nice bath is part of my weekly routine. I hope this 5-month old mongrel pup will be able to learn fast, in time for the adoption drive organised by National Geographic channel. I hope someone will be able to adopt him and give him a chance in life.

Will and I will be at the 'National Geographic Dog Whisperer Free Pet Shop' adoption drive on 18th and 19th February. Why not come by and say hi if you are free that weekend or help spread the message and rally friends who might be potential adopters.

If you are not able to visit the shelter or join us at the adoption drive, you can still help out in the following ways:

1. Be a member of Animal Lovers League at a one-time fee of S$250. The money raised will go towards finding a new shelter for the animals in 2014.

2. Donate items to the upcoming Flea Market.

3. Sponsor a dog or a cat, and make an animal feel special and loved.

For more information, please visit www.animalloversleague.com

Animal Lovers League - Pets Villa

Everyone has their calling when it comes to volunteer work. Some can work with children while some can work with the elderly. My calling is working with dogs. Something I found I could do when I was fostering Tinkerbelle, a rescued sheltie from a puppy mill, who came to me in rather bad shape. She has since blossomed into a beautiful furry dog under the TLC of her new home.

This was Tinkerbelle when she first came to me in August. All skin and bones, a skin condition and very bad dental health. She was fearful, lost and unsure of what to do.


This is Tinkerbelle today. Look at the amazing transformation after just 4 months of TLC. The family who adopted Tinkerbelle gave her a second chance in life. From ugly duckling to a beautiful swan.

Since I have become more "mobile" with my new car, I jumped at the chance to visit a dog shelter with Raisa, a fellow dog owner who is an active volunteer for Animal Lovers League (ALL). Pets Villa is the dog shelter founded by ALL that is located at Pasir Ris Farmway. Kinda ironic that this dog shelter is nestled among the puppy farms.

Here are some pictures I took from my first visit yesterday. If you are looking at something worthy to do in 2012, I hope this blog entry will inspire you to help these doggies.


My "Cesar Millan" moment... I opened the gate and entered into a compound full of big dogs. Remember to stay calm when you enter. Remember Cesar's famous words: no talk, no touch, no eye contact. Let the dogs suss you out and only give attention when the dogs are in a calm and submissive state.


I started off my volunteer experience by taking some dogs out for walks. This ain't a walk in the park as most of these dogs have no experience or prior guidance on how to walk on leash. Hence, they tend to pull a lot in the beginning. However, the trick is to be calm and assertive and guide them patiently. The dogs are not being naughty, they are just excited to be going on walks and have no concept of leash walking. (Picture: Heng Heng and Sonia)



The puppies are being kept in their own cages because they are too young to fend for themselves. They can only be let out under supervision.






Other adult dogs also have their own cages for various reasons. Usually when they require medical care or haven't fully been fully integrated with the other dogs on the compound yet.


As I visited during lunch time, I also had the opportunity to participate in the feeding of some dogs. After lunch, most of the doggies are being let out to roam and socialise under supervision.








Pets Villa is a safe haven for abandoned and stray dogs. It is now their home and a place where they belong. A place where they get shelter, water, food and adequate care. Most importantly, safe from abuse and being culled.

How you can help...

* Be a volunteer - if you want to be hands on and you are not afraid of getting your hands dirty.

* Sponsor a dog - can't keep a dog at home? Why not sponsor one and visit it anytime?

* Products or monetary donation - choose to either donate products or money.

I have decided to sponsor a puppy or a young dog. I would like to give a dog a head start in life by training it, making it more adoptable and hopefully find a good family to adopt it.

For more information, please visit www.animalloversleague.com