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The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is teaming up with the Singapore Zoo to find homes for long-term shelter dogs.
Under the new pilot programme, "Furever Yours", the zoo will take in one Singapore Special at a time to be part of its Animal Friends show, according to a joint statement by Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) and SPCA on Aug. 11.
The dogs will be part of the show until they are successfully adopted.
The programme hopes to promote pet adoption and to raise awareness for shelter animals.
Long-term shelter dogs selected for programme
Singapore Special, a term for mixed breed dogs found on the streets of Singapore, will be selected for the Furever Yours programme.
The programme will provide training, fostering and adoption support from the team behind Singapore Zoo's Animal Friends show.
The zoo will provide individualised care and cater training to each dog that becomes part of this programme.
'Positive reinforcement' training for dogs in Animal Friends show
The trainers at the Animal Friends show, which features tricks performed by domesticated animals, will use a "gentler form of training", called "positive reinforcement", which is entirely voluntary, said Gail Laule, director of animal presentations at WRS.
One Singapore Special, Bruce, has already been part of this pilot programme since 2019.
Photo by Wildlife Reserves Singapore.
Bruce was rescued by SPCA in May 2016, after he was found abandoned on the streets wearing a choke chain.
Since joining the Animal Friends show, WRS said Bruce has come out of his shell and embraced his curious and friendly personality.
Bruce enjoys buggy rides and daily walks around the zoo. Photo by Wildlife Reserves Singapore.
"In nurturing a more loving and sociable demeanour in dogs like Bruce which have experienced rejection and abandonment, we are confident that they can become adoptable,” said Gail.
Bruce has yet to find his forever home.
Find out how you can adopt him here.
Top photos by Wildlife Reserves Singapore