Pet Store Reform: Can You Teach an Old Dog Seller New Tricks?

The Goh family and their new puppy accompanied by Tracy Heng (left), one of the Pet Lovers Centre staffers trained to do new owner orientation at Pet Safari.

The Wonderful World of Pets, the pet store at Ikano Power Centre that left a puppy to die without medical attention, has been given a new set of rules to follow by Pet Safari, its landlord. My article about the reforms appeared in Star Weekend on October 22nd.

Pet Safari was unable (or unwilling, due to the expense?) to terminate its lease with WWoP at this time, so they set up this system to keep owner Lewis Tan's operation under tight control. Here is a summary of the reforms:

When a puppy is sold, a designated staffer from Pet Lovers Centre takes charge of the process. The buyers are given vouchers for a health check, grooming discounts and other basic necessities. The staff person accompanies the new owners and the puppy around Pet Safari for an orientation about feeding, handling, training, grooming and health care. The puppy is given a basic health check on the spot, with a voucher for a more extensive health check to be redeemed within three days. If any life-threatening illness or congenital defect is found, the buyer will receive a full refund for the puppy.

Damansara Animal Centre is the excellent vet clinic located in Pet Safari. The clinic's Dr. Amilan and Dr. Chris are making daily inspections of the puppies on display. If there is any doubt about a puppy's health and well-being, they can compel WWoP to remove the puppy. They will also, of course, recommend medical treatment -- but the decision about treatment will still be up to Tan. At least they will be able to prevent the display and sale of ailing puppies.

Dr. Amilan insisted on the clinic's role in the new process, because, as he told me, "We don't want our clinic to be associated with a bad set-up like that. I told Pet Safari we'd leave if they didn't fix the problem and let us monitor the situation."

A lot of the reforms were suggested by Shameem Abdul Rahman, aka Meem (above, with doggy friend). She is Pet Safari's Marketing Communication Manager, and a trained vet nurse. She is also an impassioned animal lover. She pushed to include the Five Freedoms for Dogs in the information pack given to new buyers. Here is Meem's "Bill of Rights" for dogs:

• Freedom from hunger and thirst – this includes an appropriate diet, not just rice or bread, which are not suitable for dogs, and plenty of fresh, clean water at all times.
  
  
• Freedom from discomfort – a dog needs shelter from the sun and rain, and a comfortable place to sleep.
  
  
• Freedom from illness – this starts with vaccinations and heartworm medication on a proper schedule and includes the right to be taken for treatment at a clinic when necessary.
  
  
• Freedom of movement – a dog needs exercise and activity. He should not be chained up or kept in a cage for more than a short time. A daily walk is important for his mental and physical well-being.
  
  
• Freedom of speech – dogs must be allowed to express themselves. They bark for a reason. You should never have their vocal chords cut. (One of several non-medical operations which Damansara Animal Centre will not perform. Others include ear clipping and tail docking.)

It remains to be seen how the system will pan out. Can you teach an old dog like Tan new tricks? I certainly hope so! Or at least keep him so tightly fenced in with restrictions that he can't wriggle his way through any loopholes.

Categories: Animal Welfare, My Articles