Adopt a Dog

Each year we assist countless dogs who have been forgotten, abandoned or neglected. Many of the dogs in our shelter have come directly from Singapore’s streets and even though they were once strays, these dogs are resilient and adaptable. Despite their different sizes, colours and personalities they have one thing in common: they want to be loved.

Adopting a dog is a loving way to not only find a lifelong companion, but to give the animal a second chance at life.

We believe that regardless of age and breed, dogs change us for the better and teach us about love, loyalty and responsibility. If you give them the chance, we know that an adopted dog will be the best companion you’ve ever had.

Please read through carefully our instructions below on how to prepare for the adoption process. We do NOT engage in meetings first or walk-ins (our rehoming volunteers have to schedule their time to travel in). For adoption enquiries, fill out the contact form below and we will send you an application form (the very first step in the adoption process) or you can email directly to rehoming@oscas.sg

Thank you for choosing to adopt! ❤️

The Adoption Process

Prepare yourself and your family for adoption

Before adopting an animal, its crucial to consider whether you (and your family) are ready to be responsible for a pet. A dog is a 15+ year commitment and you will need to be responsible for all of its needs (exercise, food, water, behavioural training, veterinary care, mental and physical health, safety, etc.).

Think about what dog may suit your needs. Ask yourself questions such as:

  • Can I take care of a dog for its entire life?

  • Am I allowed to have a dog in my home? (e.g. HDBs only permit ONE dog per household; if renting privately, do you have your landlord’s permission?)

  • Can I commit to walking my dog twice a day?

  • Am I prepared to adapt my lifestyle around the needs and routine of my dog?

  • Can I cover the financial costs of owning a dog? (e.g. Regular veterinary visits, vaccinations, monthly tick and flea treatment, emergencies)

  • Is my home safe and secure for a dog? (Will my dog be able to free-roam safely in my home and not be confined to areas?)

  • What type of dog suits my lifestyle? (e.g. Do I want a dog that is active, playful, quiet, independent?)

  • Where will my dog go to the toilet?

  • What size dog is right for me? (e.g. Does my dog need to be HDB approved?)

  • Do I have the time to give to a dog? (i.e. I will not have to leave my dog alone for long periods)

  • Is everyone who lives with me prepared and welcoming to adopt a dog?

  • Am I ready to make a 15+ year commitment to my dog?

  • Will I train my dog and persevere when there are problems they need help with? (Using positive-reinforcement, fear-free training methods?)

  • Do I want a puppy or an adult dog?

  • Do I understand dog behaviour and what a dog requires to live a healthy and happy life?

  • Have I thought about who will care for the dog when I travel?

  • If I am ever to relocate to another country am I committed to the cost and preparation of moving my furry family member with me?

These are questions that the rehoming team will ask you about. We need to be certain that our dogs are going to go to homes where they will suit your lifestyle and that they will be taken care of for their entire lifetime. We do this to ensure that all of our dogs go to loving forever homes and to try and reduce the likelihood of a dog being returned to our shelter. We want our dogs and your family to have the best chance at adoption success.

Your application should indicate to our rehoming team that you have thought about these questions and that you are willing to demonstrate that you are the right person to adopt a dog. Applications that do not communicate this will not receive a reply.

CONTACT OUR REHOMING TEAM AND FILL OUT OUR ADOPTION APPLICATION

Once you have considered all of the questions above, contact our rehoming team at rehoming@oscas.sg to express interest in adopting a dog. You can do this by clicking here or filling out the form at the bottom of this page. NOTE: we do not engage in meetings first or walk-ins, our rehoming volunteers need to schedule their time to travel in.

Your first email to us should indicate to our rehoming team that you have thought about what it means to have a dog as a family member. Please include as much information as possible about your lifestyle, your living arrangements, working hours, your previous pet ownership and which dogs you are interested in so that we can see if we have any potentially suitable match. Applications that do not communicate this will not receive a reply.

Once the adoption application has been completed, our rehoming team will contact you and organise an appointment at the shelter if they see a potentially suitable match.

VISIT THE SHELTER AND MEET THE DOGS

Once your application has been reviewed and accepted, the rehoming team will organise an opportunity for you and your family to visit the shelter and meet dogs that may be a good fit for you.

We typically have around 70 dogs at our shelter, which is located at The Animal Lodge on Sungei Tengah Road. Our dogs can be shy or even nervous when meeting new people. We recommend regular visits to the shelter to get to know our dogs, to walk them and form a bond with them. This will help you to learn what our dogs are like and whether they will be a good fit for you.

When visiting the shelter, please come prepared, wear enclosed footwear. This is because the shelter is in a rural area and mud and mess is common; plus you will also need enclosed shoes to walk our dogs.

Please also bring all members of your family to your appointment. We require ALL of the individuals who live with you to come and meet the dog, so that everyone is on the same page and is in mutual agreement to take care of the animal.

AFTER identifying YOUR DOG, WE WILL START A TWO-WEEK TRIAL HOMESTAY

When you have identified a dog that feels right for you and this partnership has been approved by the shelter management team, our rehoming team will visit your home to ensure that it is safe and that your family is ready to welcome the animal.

A homestay is a temporary opportunity for you to see if the dog is a good fit for you, your family and your home. It is a chance to get help from our rehoming team, to help the animal settle in and for you to get used to living with the dog.

Prior to your homestay, you should prepare your home to welcome the dog. A checklist will also be sent to you. Some of the basic things you will need:

  • Healthy Food (we will advise on their current diet)

  • Medication (if required, we will advise)

  • Dog bed (the bigger the better)

  • Dog blanket (helps to protect the bed and easier to clean)

  • Selection of toys or chews for the dog to play with

  • Water and food bowls

  • Collar, harness and leash (we use harnesses to walk our dogs for their comfort and safety)

  • Dog friendly cleaning products

  • Grooming products

We also recommend reading about the 3-3-3 Rule, which is a theory that outlines how long it can take a dog to settle in to a new home. Rescue dogs on average need at least 3 months in a new environment before they adapt to their new home. So patience is key - you cannot expect a dog to bond with you immediately, adjust to your routine and do what you want it to do straight away. Sometimes this happens, but not all the time!

THIS IS THE BEST PART!

If your two-week homestay has been successful, you can formally adopt your dog.

Our rehoming team will email you an adoption contract, which you will be required to fill out and return with a nominal $400 adoption fee (required to partially help us cover sterilisation, microchipping, vaccination and costs while under the care at the shelter).

Once you have completed the Adoption Contract, this will need to be co-signed by OSCAS’ Founder, which, once completed, will be sent back to you along with a link to license your dog with the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS). Licensing your pet with AVS is a legal obligation and ensures that your pet can be traced and returned to you if it goes missing.

If necessary, we will schedule home visits over the six months following adoption just to make sure our dogs are happy in their furever home. Our team will also be available whenever you need for support, advice and further information.

Ready to adopt? Contact us for an application form.

Read through our preparation questions above, and tell us about yourself by filling out the contact form below.

Your application should indicate to our rehoming team that you have thought about what it takes to adopt an animal and that you are willing to demonstrate that you are a responsible pet owner. Applications that do not communicate this will not receive a reply.

❤️ THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING TO ADOPT! ❤️