Project ADORE
What is it, and why does it matter?
ADORE stands for ADOption and REhoming of dogs.
It was initiated in April 2012 by SPCA & ASD as a pilot together with the MND, AVA, and HDB, and formalized on 28 May 2014. It means that under Project ADORE, HDB flat owners are allowed to adopt selected medium-sized, mixed-breed dogs that are up to 55 cm in height.
Although “mixed-breed” is specified, it is mainly used to promote adopting what we call Singapore Specials.
So what is a "SIngapore Special"
And why are they so special?
Singapore Specials, often referred to as mongrels or street dogs, are the result of generations of natural mixing between different dog breeds.
They were originally from kampongs or farms but have over time become strays due to the urbanization of our city While not technically a breed, they have been given the name “Specials” by the people who have loved and cared for them in an effort to both give them an identity and help change the perception people have of “mongrels”
While it is true that many Singapore Specials can be skittish or fearful due to both genetics and upbringing, they are known to be loyal, intelligent, quick-witted, and incredibly loving dogs.
WHY IS THIS INITIATIVE IMPORTANT FOR THE DOGS?
About 80% of SIngapores residents live in HDB flats, which previously only allowed certain small breeds of dogs to be licensed there. This of course made adopting out Singapore Specials much more difficult as many people are drawn to purebred breeds when selecting larger dogs.
Singapore Specials have often been misunderstood as “fierce” or “untrainable”, while purebreds are seen as more predictable.
Project ADORE gives Singapore Specials a much greater chance of being adopted, getting them out of shelters and into loving homes where they can thrive and show off their true nature.
Why does this matter to me?
I began my career with animals working at the SPCA here in Singapore, back at the Mt Vernon location. Working and spending my days with the Singapore Specials in the shelter and quarantine gave me an incredible insight into how special these dogs truly are.
They are smart and driven, affectionate and cuddly, playful and cheeky, and they all have their own unique and wonderful personalities. They trust and love deeply when you give them time to know you. They are without question my favourite "breed"!
The Project ADORE pilot started while I worked at SPCA, and I was one of the staff there who helped adopt out the first dogs under the initiative. It was an incredible feeling seeing these dogs that we loved able to go to more homes, and even now, years later, the initiative is near and dear to my heart.
Project Adore trainers
NPARKS/AVS is working with multiple Animal Welfare Groups on Project ADORE, ensuring that qualified trainers are available to train the dogs that are adopted out under the scheme.
The dogs must be trained by an AVS Accredited Certified Dog Trainer (AVS-ACDT), or an ADORE Dog Trainer working with the AWG that the dog comes from.
Tail Tips is an ADORE Dog Trainer under SPCA, with plenty of experience and compassion - making sure to use humane and ethical training methods that don’t include punishing or intimidating these sensitive and sweet dogs.
Tail Tips is of course also on the list of AVS-ACDT trainers here in Singapore!
Tail tips Adore training
As one of SPCAs Project ADORE trainers, Tail Tips offers the following:
2 lessons for $250
These are the mandatory classes needed to adopt a dog from SPCA under the scheme, and are held at the owners home using the AVS curriculum which covers Basic Obedience and Social Interaction.
For additional training Tail Tips has both Puppy Foundations & Behaviour Modification courses, available as a package of 5, or single lessons.