Record Number of Dogs Sent to Animal Shelters As Expats Lost Their Jobs & Returned to Their Countries

The Covid-19 has served to mistreat many entities and sectors;

And it seems that adopted dogs are no different.

According to CNA, a record number of adopted dogs have been sent to a series of non-profit animal shelters…

Following their owners’ loss of jobs here in Singapore.

Record Number of Dogs Sent to Animal Shelters As Expats Lost Their Jobs & Returned to Their Countries

Prior to Covid-19, cases of dogs (which were owned by expatriates) being sent back to animal shelters were far and few between.

But it appears that the pandemic has flipped the situation on its head.

More than 20 canines have been re-homed since March.

And the cause?

A series of factors including sheer inconvenience, financial problems and the canines’ inabilities to take flights.

In light of the harsh circumstances at hand, many expatriates have lost their jobs here, and are required to return to their countries.

However, they’re unable to take their adopted pets along with them, due to a series of reasons.

According to Dr Jaipal Singh Gill, executive director for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), one such factor could be inconvenience.

Apparently, the canine will have to go through a series of measures before it’s allowed to go on the flight back.

These include a blood test, vaccination, a quarantine process and lots of paperwork and submissions, both here and the outbound country.

“And these things take a while,” he said. “And because of the speed at which everything is happening, some of these expats need to leave the country in a very short period of time.”

The SPCA reportedly gets one to two calls for help from expats on a daily basis.

According to CNA, another factor at hand is money.

Apparently, it costs between SGD$8,000 – SGD$11,000 to fly a dog, or even more depending on the destination and the size of the pet.

Last but not least, there’s also the issue of the canine itself.

Often, adopted dogs are not trained to handle flights.

As such, they might be ill-equipped to go through long flights.

Coronavirus-Induced Rule

Usually, expats are required to take their adopted pets with them out of Singapore, with no exceptions allowed.

The rule’s also often made clear from the start.

However, things have taken a drastic turn with the emergence of the pandemic.

Abandoned Pets

Amidst the Coronavirus outbreak, many animals have been forced to relocate.

However, while some of these were conducted in a safe manner, others did not face the same luxury.

Over in Malaysia, pet abandonment increased a whopping three-fold around Kuala Lumpur after the outbreak.

Instead of being sent back to animal shelters, these pets are often left at surreptitious, quiet industrial areas.

In one particular instance, three kittens were even tied up in a single plastic bag… presumably left for dead.