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| FOUR LEGS GOOD: Having pets around can teach a child to be responsible and compassionate towards animals, say experts. Madam Zee Yengyun (above) certainly believes it. --DESMOND FOO |
'Unfortunately this is a very common situation,' says Ms Angie Tan, head instructor at dog training school Puppylove.
'I see many newlyweds or young couples getting a puppy as a sort of surrogate child. Then when they are expecting a child, they face pressure from parents to give up the pet.'
Another concern is toxoplasmosis, a parasitic disease caused by handling cat faeces which can lead to abortions or foetal abnormalities. But the No. 1 reason cited is the lack of time.
Madam Gayle Koh, who works in public relations, knows only too well. The 34-year-old adopted two cats in 2001 but gave them away when she could not divide her attention between them and her child.
'I didn't have time to play with the cats anymore,' she says. 'Furthermore, I wasn't sure how the cats would react to the baby, or if they might accidentally scratch her.'
So after juggling the attention of both baby and kitties for four months, she gave the two cats away. She adds it was not a difficult decision and that she was glad to have found homes for them.
But having a child is a superficial reason for giving up a pet, says Ms Deirdre Moss, the executive officer of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
'Having a pet is a lifetime commitment. There's no reason why pets cannot grow up with children. So many people have done it,' she says.
The SPCA does not keep track of the number of people who give up their pets because of the impending arrival of a baby, but says it gets its fair share of such cases.
In fact, having a pet can reduce stress and teach a child responsibility and compassion towards animals, says Ms Christina Eng, a spokesman for the Cat Welfare Society (CWS).
'Some studies have even shown that children who own pets have stronger immune systems and take fewer sick days in school,' she says.
Ms Moss adds that while it is possible that there could be genuine reasons for giving up the animal - such as chronic allergies - one should at least consult a vet before making the decision.
'If your family doctor advises you to give up your pet, speak to your vet too, so you can get another perspective and a more balanced view,' she says.
Dr Grace Heng, SPCA's consultant veterinary surgeon, feels that most of the problems given as reasons for giving up the pet can be solved.
One parent who will not be giving her beloved canines up anytime soon is civil servant S.Y. Tan, 28. Mrs Tan, who is five months pregnant, says she will keep her four dogs 'by hook or by crook', even after her child is born.
'We've bonded over the years - there'll be so much heartache if I have to part with them,' she says.