Animal shelters in Singapore struggle to cope as pet adoptions hit lowest since 2019

Key Concepts

• Adoption Rates: The number of animals finding permanent homes.
• Animal Welfare Groups: Organizations dedicated to the well-being of animals (e.g., Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD), SPCA).
• Overcrowding: A situation where animal shelters exceed their capacity, leading to health and resource issues.
• Vet Fees: Costs associated with veterinary care, a significant expense for animal welfare organizations.
• Foster Homes: Temporary homes provided by volunteers to care for animals.
• Emergency Cases: Animals requiring immediate veterinary attention due to injury or illness.

Declining Adoption Rates in Singapore

Adoption rates for animals in Singapore have significantly decreased, reaching their lowest point since 2019. This decline is attributed to two primary factors: the return to office work following the COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing cost of living, making pet ownership more financially challenging for potential adopters. This situation is creating a bottleneck for animal welfare organizations, limiting their ability to rescue and care for animals in need.

Impact on Animal Welfare Organizations: Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD)

Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD) has experienced a substantial 60% drop in adoptions compared to 2019, with only 65 dogs adopted this year. Currently, ASD houses approximately 80 dogs at their animal lodge (spread across five units) and an additional 30-40 dogs in foster care. This full capacity prevents the organization from taking in new animals. The organization is acutely aware of the dangers of overcrowding, citing potential health issues and strain on resources as key concerns.

Financially, ASD is facing considerable pressure. Last year, vet fees accounted for nearly half (approximately $439,000) of their total expenditure of $878,000. These fees have increased two to three times in the last five years for treating the same conditions. As a result, ASD is now considering downsizing to manage its budget.

Impact on Animal Welfare Organizations: SPCA

Singapore’s largest animal welfare organization, the SPCA, is also grappling with falling adoption rates. In 2019, the SPCA facilitated over 900 adoptions annually. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this number dipped to the 700-800 range. However, in 2025, adoptions have plummeted further, falling to just over 200.

The SPCA operates on a principle of “no outgoing, no incoming.” Operating at full capacity means fewer adoptions directly translate to a reduced ability to accept emergency cases, abandoned animals, or those found injured. This creates a critical limitation in their rescue efforts.

Innovative Solutions: SPCA’s Homelike Spaces

To address the declining adoption rates, the SPCA is implementing a new strategy: creating homelike spaces modeled after Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats. The intention is to provide a more comfortable and familiar environment for animals to interact with potential adopters, thereby increasing their chances of finding a permanent home. This approach aims to improve the adopter-animal connection by simulating a real-life living situation.

Logical Connections & Synthesis

The video establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship: changing societal circumstances (return to office, rising costs) are driving down adoption rates, which in turn is creating operational and financial challenges for animal welfare organizations like ASD and SPCA. Both organizations are facing capacity issues and escalating vet costs. The SPCA’s initiative to create HDB-style spaces represents a proactive attempt to mitigate the negative effects of these trends and improve adoption outcomes. The core takeaway is the urgent need for increased adoption rates to alleviate the strain on animal welfare resources and ensure continued support for vulnerable animals in Singapore.