Retired Sniffer Dogs from K-9 and Military Working Dog Units find Permanent Home under Project ADORE
The expansion signals greater acceptance of larger dogs in HDB estates under safeguards, potentially broadening housing suitability for adopters while supporting harmonious community living.
From 15 August 2018, retired sniffer-dog adoption by K-9 and MWDU handlers in HDB flats became permanent, while public adoption began a one-year pilot.
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Pilot extended to members of the public who can now adopt retired sniffer dogs under a one-year pilot basis
Under the pilot expansion of Project ADORE launched in June 2017, dog handlers from the Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force K-9 units, and the SAF Military Working Dog Unit (MWDU) were allowed to rehome retired sniffer dogs in HDB flats. Thus far, a total of 14 sniffer dogs have been rehomed under this scheme. From 15 August 2018, this pilot expansion will be made a permanent scheme.
We will also expand the scheme to members of the public staying in HDB flats to adopt retired sniffer dogs, on a one-year pilot basis. This is to widen the pool of potential adopters beyond K-9 and MWDU officers. Similar to the scheme for K-9 and MWDU officers, the pilot expansion for the public will be subject to the same conditions in place for Project ADORE. This includes the screening of potential adopters, a framework to encourage community acceptance of the dogs (e.g. mediation channels for disputes), and measures to prevent abandonment of the dogs through microchipping. All adopters will be required to comply with the ownership conditions and the Code of Responsible Behaviour as set out by MND. The respective K-9 and MWDU units will also continue to manage post-adoption feedback.
The pilot expansion of Project ADORE to the public is co-led by the Ministry of National Development (MND), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), with the support of the Housing and Development Board (HDB), the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) and Animal Welfare Group partners under Project ADORE.
Project ADORE was launched in 2012 with the intent of assessing the acceptance of mixed-breed dogs in HDB estates, with proper safeguards in place. Observations have shown that residents have been receptive to the presence of larger dog breeds in their neighbourhoods as long as the owners behaved responsibly and if there were proper channels in place for dispute mediation. The scheme has been well-received thus far.