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In Singapore, where high-rise living is the norm, adopting or fostering a pet often comes with the need to install window grilles.

However, extra precautions are always a good idea, as these fur parents discovered through a recent scare they encountered two months after first welcoming the dog into their home.

Relaying their story through SOSD, a street dog volunteer group, the fosterers wrote of their shock after their condominium's management sent them a picture of their dog perched precariously on a ledge outside their kitchen window.

"One slip, he would’ve fallen off," the fosterers remarked.

Dog managed to bypass the safeguards

They had already installed invisible grilles on their balcony door and barricaded their kitchen and main door with a baby gate to prevent the dog from escaping.

"The only window in the house is at the end of the kitchen. Since we had the baby gate installed, we felt it was safe to leave a small gap for ventilation," wrote the fosterers.

Despite their efforts, their dog was able to scale the baby gate and barge its way through several items blocking the kitchen window.

Thankfully, neighbours were able to distract the dog by pressing the unit's doorbell and the fosterers managed to rush back home in time to rescue their pet from the ledge.

"We would never be able to live with the guilt if anything had happened to the dog while it was under our care!" they said.

"We hope by sharing our story, it would remind everyone who has a dog/cat at home to never let your guard down. Do remember to close and lock your windows properly before you leave the house, even if you have window grilles or safety gates in place!”

A reminder to install grilles and shut your windows

The post on SOSD's Facebook page on Apr. 13, is the latest in a series reminding owners and fosterers to take extra care of their pets.

In an earlier post from December 2020, the group advised those with dogs on the anxiety that many canines may experience during thunderstorms.

"In the last few years, we've had several dogs jump out of windows due to severe anxiety issues. And yes, it has greatly traumatized us, and even more so, the adopters or fosterers who were caring for the dogs," wrote SOSD.

"Which is why, in the past year, we have made it mandatory for adopters to install window grilles prior to homestay, as well as to shut the windows whenever the dog is home alone."

Top image from SOSD's Facebook page