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SOSD hopes UberPUPPIES will dispel misconceptions about street dogs

SINGAPORE — As dog-lovers spend a little on-demand snuggle time with rescue puppies this Friday (Dec 9), local shelter Save Our Street Dogs (SOSD) said measures will be taken to ensure the pups that will be chauffeured to each destination do not get too stressed by the visits.

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SINGAPORE — As dog-lovers spend a little on-demand snuggle time with rescue puppies this Friday (Dec 9), local shelter Save Our Street Dogs (SOSD) said measures will be taken to ensure the pups that will be chauffeured to each destination do not get too stressed by the visits.

From 1pm to 5pm, 20 SOSD puppies will be sent out in 10 Uber cars to meet members of the public, as part of a tie-up between SOSD, Uber and Purina Pro Plan. Those interested in meeting the pups can request for a 15-minute visit by tapping on the PUPPIES card in the ride-hailing company’s app. There is no fee, but SOSD will be accepting donations.

SOSD volunteer Valerie Chua said that the shelter has taken measures to ensure the puppies’ welfare. As there is no screening process for those who request for time with the puppies, each dog will be accompanied by an SOSD volunteer to ensure their comfort and safety.

“I know the public has a lot of concerns that the puppies might be too stressed or upset, so we have actually picked puppies that are friendly with people and would enjoy events like that where they get to meet a lot of people and get cuddles and pets,” Chua said.

The event, called UberPUPPIES, was announced earlier this week and has since drawn mixed reaction. Some praised the effort, while others expressed concern for the dogs’ safety.

“Pets are for life. Not for fun and especially not a tool for marketing gimmicks. I’m sure there are better ways to encourage adoption other than prostitution of puppies, SOSD,” wrote Xue Yun W on SOSD’s Facebook page.

Facebook user Lee Peng suggested on Uber’s Facebook page that the company instead offer free rides to potential adopters headed to shelters and free rides to successful adopters. “At least now the dogs and puppies will have higher chance of being adopted instead of just providing entertainment to random passengers.”

Facebook user Wee Leng Leng, however, urged people to give this event a chance: “There has to be more innovative and out-of-the-box approaches to promoting adoption.”

SOSD hopes this event will help dispel misconceptions about street dogs, and encourage more people to adopt these dogs.

SOSD’s Chua, who has fostered 25 dogs over four years at the shelter, said: “We want to let more people know about these mongrels, that they are not ferocious or aggressive in any way that people might think they are. It’s really to break myths about the misconceptions that people have.”

“And of course we hope they can find some potential adopters along the way. That is our main goal — we want them to be adopted into good homes,” she added.

On its Facebook page, Uber said its goal for the event was to find these puppies a safe and loving home, and to raise awareness about pet adoption in Singapore.

This is the first time UberPUPPIES is being held in Singapore, although the company has delivered puppies on-demand to animal lovers in New York City, Chicago and San Francisco.

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