The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Singapore has initiated a Pet Food Support Program for individuals, households and animal welfare groups that are in dire need of assistance on behalf of the pets under their care.
Although Singapore is one of the 10 wealthiest countries in the world with a per-capita gross domestic product (GDP) of US$62,690, the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the island country's highest overall unemployment rate in a decade of 2.4%, registered during the first quarter of the year. By June 2020, the number of unemployed Singaporeans reached 90,500.
How the program works
Knowing that there are more pet owners and rescuers struggling to pay for pet food, the local SPCA has set aside an initial S$50,000 (US$36,414.25) for a short-term relief program to help beneficiaries get by. In partnership with Kohepets, a local online pet store, the program could run through wither November 2020 or all the way to February 2021 depending on the need for it.
Individuals can apply for relief coverage for one pet only, while a household can avail of pet food assistance for up to three pets. Animal rescuers and pet community feeders are entitled to free pet food for up to five animals.
The program is giving away only regular dry pet food from Hill's Science Diet for both dogs and cats. For other pet species, the SPCA will look at their unique food requirements individually. Successful applications to the SPCA program will be notified of how much pet food support they will receive and for how long. All pet food deliveries to eligible participants' home or offices will be handled for free by Kohepets.
Additional support
An online fundraising campaign has also been launched to raise additional funds for needy animals, and adoptions are always one of the group's top events as the SPCA constantly tries to shine a spotlight on local dogs called Singapore Specials. As the only community animal clinic in Singapore, the SPCA spends S$3.0 million (US$2.2 million) a year for its 24/7 rescues, welfare investigations, animal shelter operations and outreach programs. Because of the pandemic, processing of all applications for the pet food relief program, donations and adoptions are done virtually.
