5 Places You Can Adopt A Pet And How Much It Will Cost

Owning a pet is more than just having a cute furry companion, there is substantial upfront cost for getting a pet on top of the financial responsibility and time commitment required to keep them.

From Euromonitor 2019 report, the cost of purchasing dogs has tripled over recent years. In 2016, a Shiba Inu would cost about $2,000 to $4,000 but in 2019, the price rose to about $6,000 to $10,000.

If we are truly committed to the notion of having a pet, adoption can be an affordable alternative. Apart from cats and dogs, some adoption centres offer rabbits, hamsters and even terrapins. Depending on the type of animal, age and adoption centre, adoption cost can range from $0 to $350. Aside from affordability, adoption is also an act of kindness by giving these homeless pets a loving new home.

Now, here are 5 places and the cost required to bring home our four-legged companion.

Read Also: How Much Does It Cost To Own And Keep A Dog In Singapore?

#1 Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)

With over 145 years of establishment, Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is the largest and oldest animal welfare charity in Singapore. Based on FY2020 report, SPAC has helped rescue over 2,300 animals. Among the rescues, 904 animals were adopted despite the constraints of COVID-19 circuit breaker and safe distancing measures.

Interested adopters should check with SPCA for the visitation rules as there are still COVID-19 safe distancing measures in place. Currently, walk-ins are allowed on weekdays (except Thursday, unless it is a public holiday) from 11am to 3pm while weekends would require booking of appointments.

As the largest animal welfare centre, SPCA provides the most diverse range of pets such as dogs, cats, and other small animals. These adoption pricings listed below are inclusive of vaccination, sterilisation, deworming and microchipping with registration but excludes any related pet annual licensing fee.

#2 Animal Lovers League (ALL)

Founded in 2002, almost 20 years ago, Animal Lovers League (ALL) is a strictly no-kill animal shelter. As the biggest and oldest animal shelter at the old Pasir Ris Farmway, ALL has both cats and dogs with over 500 animals under their care. They have since relocated to Sungei Tengah, continuing their motto of providing for animals till old age.

ALL has a thorough adoption process which involves a 2-weeks homestay with regular follow up from volunteers to check on adoption compatibility. Adoption papers are signed at last when both adoptee and adopters can adjust to their new relationship.

No adoption fees are required for ALL.

#3 Causes for Animals Singapore (CAS)

Established since 2014, Causes for Animals Singapore (CAS) is a growing animal welfare charity. Their main objective as a charitable is to help alleviate the issue of stray animals in Singapore. Since COVID-19, their adoption rates have almost doubled.

CAS has a comprehensive adoption process. The process involves a pre-adoption questionnaire, followed by a visit, filling up an adoption form, and being selected as an adopter. The full process of adoption can be found here.

Adoption visits are by appointment-basis only from 12pm to 3pm daily. Family members must all be available during the day of the visit, including existing pets, to assess the level of compatibility between adoptee and adopters.

Currently, the adoption listing for CAS involves cats and dogs. Likewise, the adoption prices listed below includes initial vaccinations, de-worming, flea and tick treatment and micro-chipping.

#4 Cat Welfare Society (CWS)

Founded in 1999, Cat Welfare Society (CWS) is a cat welfare organisation that stands against cat abuse and cruelty. As a strong advocate for cats in Singapore, they have assisted in alleviating the issue of stray cats in Singapore and reduced culling of strays through their sterilisation and rescue programme.

Likewise, CWS believe in screening and ensuring adoption compatibility between adopter and adoptee. CWS is unique as they do not have a shelter for cats but have volunteers fostering the cats which are up for adoption.

Each foster is responsible for helping adopters in the adoption process. Before visiting for adoption, it is important to fill in the pre-questionnaire and call to arrange for an appointment first. More information on the full adoption process can be found on their website.

The eventual adoption cost ranges from $40 to $80. Fosters may include additional charges that are used to help cover certain medication or special situation cost incurred while fostering. The adoption fees are also not inclusive of microchipping, initial vaccinations, sterilisation, or other veterinary expenditure incurred by the cat.

#5 Hamster Society Singapore

A young animal welfare society founded in 2019, Hamster Society Singapore (HSS) focuses on helping one of the most popular but neglected pets in Singapore – the hamster. Currently, they have a total of 23 hamsters ready for adoption.

Similar to CWS, HSS is not an animal shelter, and the hamsters reside under foster care. Interested adopters should check against HSS’s comprehensive hamster start kit to prepare for the appropriate items.

Before an adoption visit, a pre-adoption questionnaire needs to be filled. The adoption process can involve house visits and adoption compatibility with other members of the family. Children below the age of 18 looking to adopt a hamster are not allowed unless the parents agree to be the main caretakers.

The cost of adopting a hamster is a flat fee of $20. Adopters are required to pick up the pet from foster care within 10 days of confirmation if not a boarding fee of $3 a day will be incurred.

Read Also: How Much Does It Cost Pet Owners For Routine Visits To The Vet In Singapore?

Aside from the 5 organisation listed above, there are many more animal welfares societies and charities out there and they can be found on NParks website.

Potential pet owners need to recognise that owning a pet is a long-term commitment that would require substantial financial expenses. Animal lovers who are unable to adopt due to personal constraints can still be involved in helping by donating or volunteering at these associations.

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