PAWS Animal Welfare Society shelter manager Edward Lim said the most common animals sent to them post-Chinese New Year celebrations were dogs and rabbits.
“As much as it should not happen, it will happen. I have been with this shelter long enough to witness the entire cycle of the zodiac animals,” he told FMT.
“The Year of the Rabbit is the worst because rabbits are tamer and easier to handle than dogs. But they are also more fragile and most of the time they are in pretty bad shape when they are sent to us.
“Thankfully, most of them make it. We clean them up, neuter them and re-home them.”
The eleventh animal in the Chinese zodiac, the dog symbolises loyalty and honesty. The Chinese believe that people born in the Year of the Dog are honest, friendly, faithful and intelligent.
During Chinese New Year, many of them adopt dogs as a symbolic gesture in hopes that they will be blessed with these traits.
It has been 12 years since the Year of the Dog came around, and Lim is hopeful that there has been a change in mindset.
“Twelve years is a long time. Today, people are more informed and I hope things have changed for the better.
“You can’t be buying an animal that represents the zodiac sign each year as the animals change. It just doesn’t make sense.
“What if it’s the Year of the Tiger? Are you going to buy a tiger cub? If it is the Year of the Dragon, where are you going to find a dragon?”
‘Dogs are not toys’
He also urged parents not to get their children dogs just to please them, saying the bulk of animals surrendered to shelters were bought on the spur of the moment.
He was likewise critical of those who insist on getting a dog during Chinese New Year to fulfil their superstitions.
“If you are adopting a dog for the sake of a festive celebration and fulfilling your superstitions, I’d rather you don’t adopt any.
“They are not toys. They are animals, and they are as much alive as you are. Don’t traumatise the dog,” he said, adding that PAWS had strict guidelines for evaluating potential owners before allowing them to adopt a dog from the shelter.
Online pet care service provider JomPaw meanwhile said people should look beyond wanting a dog for purely symbolic purposes this Chinese New Year.
JomPaw chief marketing officer Joanne Lee said pet owners should be educated on how to care for their dogs.
“Dogs are more than just animals. They should be loved like their own family members.”
Just like planning for a baby, she said, potential owners should get their expectations right and be prepared to commit to the responsibility of caring for a dog.
“Not only does this lessen the chances of abandonment, a well-behaved dog brings joy and happiness and improves pet owners’ lives as well.”