The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA)’s Responsible Pet Ownership (RPO) event, Happy Pets Happy ‘Hood II, returned to Waterway Point in Punggol from 13-19 November 2017. The extensive and engaging interactive exhibition gallery focused on four key areas – responsible pet ownership, considerate pet ownership, animal welfare, and the recommended approach when encountering stray animals. About 23,000 people visited the exhibition.
Twelve of AVA’s animal re-homing partners were at the event to help spread RPO messages and to raise funds for their respective organisations. Stage performances and pet-related craft activities were held to educate and entertain at the same time. AVA conducted guided tours for pre-schoolers from all parts of Singapore, while veterinarians from private clinics and educational institutions volunteered their time and expertise to conduct free basic health checks for pets.
AVA also set up an interaction room at the event, giving visitors the opportunity to meet adoptable puppies and kittens up close.
One of AVA's key responsibilities is the safeguarding of animal welfare. AVA does this by enforcing animal welfare regulations as well as through public education. As a champion for animal welfare, AVA has been actively promoting responsible pet ownership to equip existing and potential pet owners with knowledge about the care and responsibility that comes with owning a pet.
Expanding its public education efforts beyond talks at schools, AVA has adopted a multi-pronged approach to spread the message that "A Pet Is For Life" to the public. These include RPO events and roadshows, as well as public outreach efforts such as advertorials, radio advertisements, and television commercials.
AVA will continue to work closely with animal welfare and other like-minded organisations to create a greater awareness about animal welfare and to inculcate a sense of responsibility among pet owners.