Pets' Day Out

Parks Festival returns after a three year break! Over one weekend on 23 and 24 September 2023 at West Coast Park, look forward to a cumulation of NParks’ signature programmes and activities that are offered in our parks and nature spaces throughout Singapore.

Themed ‘Parks for Everyone’, we invite one and all to partake in the wide range of offerings ranging from Arts & Culture, Gardening, Nature, Pets & Wildlife, Sports & Wellness, the Marketplace featuring 100 vendors, to the popular NParks Concert Series in the Park: Rockestra®.

Event timing

23 Sep (Sat), 10am to 10pm

24 Sep (Sun), 10am to 5pm

For more information, visit the Parks Festival Website!

Join us at the various activities happening! *By registration only

23 Sep 2023 (Sat)

*Workshop: Petzmania
3 sessions: 10am to 11am | 11am to 12pm | 12pm to 1pm

A signature programme at Pets’ Day Out, Petzmania is a hands-on workshop designed for children to learn about animal health and nutrition through role-playing. As junior vets, children could learn about basic animal anatomy, common illnesses and injuries, and how to provide basic care for pets. As junior nutritionists, they could learn about the nutritional needs of different animals and how to create balanced diets for pets. Join us as your children learn about animal health and nutrition while also developing important skills such as empathy and responsibility in a fun and educational way!
Registration link: https://go.gov.sg/petzmania23sep2023

*Demonstration: Let’s Train without Pain!

3 sessions: 10.30am to 11.30am | 12.30pm to 1.30pm | 3pm to 4pm (4 dogs to a group)

Trainers: June Lim, ADT, ACDT, Fear Free Certified Professional, from A Smiling Leash | Yap Shi Ying, ADT, ACDT, FDM from Click With Dogs | Candy Lim-Soliano, ADT, ACDT, Fear Free Shelters Graduate, from Kaizen 4 Dogs

Did you know that an innocent-looking slip leash could potentially cause damage to your dog’s tracheal simply by “popping the leash”? The real question is - do you need to inflict pain just to walk your dog “nicely” on a leash? Well, the good news is, science has shown us that there are better ways to work with animals. If you’ve been struggling with walking your dog while on leash - or simply want to learn how to effectively teach your dog functional life skills in an ethical and fun way, this session is for you!

Join IAABC-Accredited Dog Trainers from A Smiling Leash, Click With Dogs, and Kaizen 4 Dogs, to learn modern techniques that don’t hurt your beloved pet or damage the relationship you have with them. Bring your dog along for a hands-on session focusing on the fundamentals of using positive reinforcement with reward-based training methods - you’ll be clued in on how to motivate your dog better, build trust together, and enjoy a stronger bond with your lifelong animal companion! Workshop includes:

Functions and Uses of Training Tools
Canine Enrichment
Hands-in Handling

Registration link: https://go.gov.sg/train-without-pain23sep2023

Come Chat with the Trainers too if you have questions on basic obedience training and socialization! The trainers could provide advice based on your dog’s breed, age and temperament.

Time: 10am to 6pm

Talk: "Hands off!" Understanding and Addressing Resource Guarding in Dogs
Time: 3pm to 4pm

Speaker: Ms Chong Qi Ai, Senior Manager and Mr Webster Cheong, Manager, Centre for Animal Rehabilitation, AVS

Ever wondered why your furry friend gets a little too possessive over their stuff? Join us for a 40-minute chat about the ins and outs of resource guarding in dogs. We'll break it down, share some tips and effective strategies for prevention and management.

*Workshop: Hamster Pebble Adoption

2 sessions: 4pm to 5pm | 5pm to 6pm

Ages: 3 to 12 years old

Conducted by Hamster Society Singapore

Want to learn about responsible hamster ownership in a fun way? Join the Hamster Society Singapore in creating little rock hamsters to take home as an introduction in learning how to keep pet hamsters! Parents are welcomed to join in! Limited slots available.

Registration link for session 1: https://go.gov.sg/pebblehamster4pm

Registration link for session 2: https://go.gov.sg/pebblehamster5pm

24 Sep 2023 (Sun)

Demonstration

Session 1, 10am to 11am: “Friend friend?” Setting up successful introductions between 2 dogs. How to tell if the dogs want to meet and when to stop the interaction.

Trainer: Wilson Song, IAABC-ADT, AVS-ACDT, ISCP.Dip.Canine.Prac, from Supaw Dog Training
Wilson is an Accredited Dog Trainer, certified by IAABC and AVS. In 2021, he completed the Diploma in Canine Behavior from The International School for Canine Psychology & Behavior.

Session 2, 11.30am to 12.30pm: All About Dog Parks! Dog parks can be a great place for dogs to exercise off-leash and have fun. Come find out about the proper etiquette and safety considerations when taking your dog to one. Also learn to read canine body language and steps you can do to minimise dog fights.

Trainers: Al Chong, AVS-PADT, Fear Free Shelter Graduate, and Cheryl Goi, IAABC, Karen Pryor Academy Puppy Straight Right for Instructors, Fear Free Shelter Graduate, from My Dog Trainer (M.D.T)
Al founded M.D.T. in 2005 to provide owners with the most effective and humane way of training. He is one of the few trainers in Singapore who works across species including dogs, cats, birds and fish. In addition to training and day school services, Al volunteers at animal shelters helping out with particularly tricky cases. Cheryl joined M.D.T. in 2008 after seeing the success of changing her malamute’s unruly behaviour without using aversive methods. She often helps out at animal shelters where she lends her expertise to helping out puppies and setting them on the right track.

Session 3, 1pm to 2pm: Chat with a Trainer - Do you have any concerns on exercising your pet dogs or interacting with others at dog parks? Come chat with the trainers and gain some insights!

Trainers: Angie Tan, CPDT-KSA, from Puppylove Dog Training | Alan Tibtem Tay Zi Jian, IAABC-ADT, AVS-ACDT, Fear Free Shelter Graduate, from Pawsitivemind | Cheryl Goi, from My Dog Trainer

Angie Tan is a U.S. Certified and AVS Accredited Dog Trainer. She holds a Diploma (Conversion) in Vet Clinical Science and is also an Associate Trainer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic where she conducts regular seminars on canine behaviour. Alan is an accredited dog trainer certified by both the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and Singapore’s Animal and Veterinary Service. Alan is also a Canine First Responder.

*Talk: Dogs in Translation

Time: 10am to 11am

Trainers: Candy Lim-Soliano, ADT, ACDT, Fear Free Shelters Graduate, from Kaizen 4 Dogs | Liu Xiao Xuan, IAABC-ADT and AVS Accredited Certified Dog Trainer, Allies of Dogs

Do you find yourself often wondering about how your dog is feeling, what his tail wag means, or if he’s doing zoomies because he’s having a really great time? And what’s with that “guilty look” Fido is giving - did he chew up another pair of shoes? Whether you're a first-time pet guardian or have had the pleasure of living with companion dogs for years, learning to understand what your pet is saying can give you a lot of useful information, such as when they are spooked or anxious about what is going on, or when they are stressed out and may snap at someone.

The good news is, our dogs are speaking to us ALL the time! And although you may not “speak dog”, your dog's body language communicates their emotional state and intentions to others around. Join Candy (Kaizen 4 Dogs) and Xuan (Allies of Dogs) at this insightful talk and learn how to interpret your dog’s body language so that you’ll be able to better support your own pet and build a stronger bond with them!

Registration link: https://go.gov.sg/dogs-in-translation24sep2023

Talk: Obesity in Pets

Time: 11am to 12pm

Speaker: Dr Suria Fabbri, Veterinarian & Co-founder of Pawkit

Obesity is a common problem in pets, and it can lead to a variety of health issues such as diabetes, joint problems, and heart disease. Learn from this talk on how to prevent and address obesity in pets, which requires a combination of healthy food choices, regular exercise, and monitoring of food intake. By taking these steps, you can help your pet maintain a healthy weight and avoid health issues associated with obesity!

*Storytelling - Freddy the Dogged Rescuer

2 sessions: 3pm to 4pm | 4pm to 5pm

Speaker: Swapnil Mishra, Adjunct Teaching Mentor, Singapore Management University

Storytelling to children is a fun and engaging way to teach children about the importance of responsible pet ownership. Join us in this captivating storytelling session that introduces young audiences to the heartwarming tale of Freddy, a 10-year-old boy, who embarks on a journey of empathy, patience, and enterprise as he adopts a dog named Wally from an animal shelter. The narrative delves into themes such as adopting versus buying, integrating into a new family, adapting to unforeseen challenges, and the power of collaboration with friends. Real-life events inspired this touching story, making it relatable and thought-provoking.

Registration link for session 1: https://go.gov.sg/freddystorytelling3pm

Registration link for session 2: https://go.gov.sg/freddystorytelling4pm

Other activites happening:

- Adoption drive and merchandise booths by Animals Lovers League (ALL), Purely Adoptions (PA), SOSD, Exclusively Mongrels (EM), Causes for Animals (CAS), Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD).

- Chat with a Groomer by Takara Pets | 24 Sep 2023, 10am to 2pm

Regular grooming can ensure your pets’ well-being such as keeping their coat and skin healthy, prevent matting and tangling, and reduce the risk of skin infections. Chat with a groomer to find out how you can take care of your pet daily grooming necessities, including nail trimming and ear cleaning!

- Chat with a Vet | 23 Sep 2023, 10am to 6pm | 24 Sep 2023, 2pm to 5pm
Come meet our vets! Pet owners can can seek advice from the vets on pet-related issues on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Please note that your presence and/or participation at events organised by the National Parks Board constitutes your consent to be photographed, video and/or audio recorded for any media or other purposes including public transmission or promotional purposes, without payment or claim to copyright or other intellectual property rights.

Missed the past Pets' Day Out Live Webinar? Tune in here!

4 Dec 2021 Get valuable tips from Dr Suria Fabbri (AVS) on preparing and providing for your pet with the best care in their final days, and learn about animal antimicrobial resistance from Dr Zhan Pei Heng (AVS)!

18 Sep 2021
Get valuable tips from Dr Audrey Chen from the Animal & Veterinary Service on what to expect when welcoming a new fur-mily member and what to look out for in a puppy. Equip yourself with the know-how to identify fake news on pet health! Hear from Dr Chow Haoting (Singapore Veterinary Association and vet at the SPCA Community Clinic) and learn how to recognise pet health truths.