Pet owner? Join the club: New pet owners' club launched in Singapore

Dogs who took part in the Dog and Owner Fashionista Competition before the launch of Pets and Friends Club at Serangoon pictured with their owners before entering the hall at Serangoon Community Club on 29 June, 2014. -- ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Dogs who took part in the Dog and Owner Fashionista Competition before the launch of Pets and Friends Club at Serangoon pictured with their owners before entering the hall at Serangoon Community Club on 29 June, 2014. -- ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Happy the Persian cat, Tong the yellow pudding hamster and Wing the Netherland dwarf rabbit are cuddled by their 34-year-old owner Wong Kah Fai during the launch of the Pets and Friends Club at Serangoon on 29 June, 2014. -- ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Max, a daschund, sports a mohawk with a picture of a wolf on his owners t-shirt during the launch of the Pets and Friends Club at Serangoon on 29 June, 2014. -- ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Ms Wendy Lee (from left), 30, founder of a pet social group, account manager Adeline Seet, 29, and physiotherapist Felicia Seet, 34. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

Squawks, barks and whistles greeted the launch of a pet owners' club in Serangoon yesterday.

About 4,000 visitors went for the two-day event over the weekend, as pet owners paraded animals from palm-size guinea pigs to macaws in resplendent shades of red, blue and green.

The Pets and Friends Club, believed to be the first of its kind here, aims to bring residents who are pet owners closer as well as educate them to be responsible owners, said the club's chairman, Mr Matthew Lim, 44, a grassroots leader in Serangoon.

"We see a growing number of pets around, and we intend to hold seminars and training to teach people how to properly care for their pets. Responsible pet owners are, by extension, happy neighbours," he said.

Some activities lined up include pet wellness and obedience courses, as well as group outings.

The club, housed at the Serangoon Community Club, is the idea of the People's Association PMET (Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians) division and its other partners, including 12 pet social groups.

These groups, such as the Golden Retriever Club of Singapore (GRCS), have come on board to raise awareness about their particular breeds.

"We notice that people buy golden retrievers because they are cute, but they should realise such dogs can be noisy and even destructive as they are very strong, and they need a firm hand," said financial controller Christine Ng, 42, a co-founder of the 5,000-strong GRCS. The Serangoon resident is also one of the new club's 120 members.

Physiotherapist Felicia Seet, 34, who has a cat named Ginger Milk Tea, said: "(The club) is a great way to meet other animal lovers... there's a common love and passion that bind people like us together."

jianxuan@sph.com.sg

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