They are known for lavishing care in life on their animals ; soon grieving pet owners in Singapore , will have a chance to share their feelings about furred family members after they pad off to the great beyond – via obituaries in the city -state’ s largest newspaper.
From Sunday , The Straits Times pets section will let pet owners publish goodbye messages to their favourite non -human companions along with an accompanying photo .
The memorials will be part of a “ pets ’ corner ” in the paper ’ s classifieds section , along with notices by the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ) and other animal groups about pets available for adoption .
The decision to market obituaries to pet owners in tiny Singapore , one of the world ’s richest countries in terms of per capita income , comes as wealthy Asians have fewer kids and shower more attention on pets .
Though dogs and cats once roamed free around neighbourhoods in Singapore , pet owners today are extremely protective of their pets . In addition , the 80 per cent of the population that lives in government -run flats is restricted to just one dog , of a small breed .
Research firm Euromonitor , in a recent report on Singapore ’s pet care market , said people are spending more on premium pet food as well as accessories such as strollers for dogs and designer pet clothing .
“ Many pet owners are increasingly treating their pets as household members and are therefore pampering their pets with luxurious food , products and services , just as they would dote on their family , ” it said .
“ This trend led to a shift in consumer spending towards premium categories, such as premium pet food , hence driving growth in the pet care market .”
Needless to say , the obituaries too are not free – they will each run S $ 50 ( $ 40 . 96 , N6 ,449 ), with a goods and services tax of 7 percent on top of that .
Veterinary doctors ! Aren’t you guys going to relocate to Singapore now to go start charging thousands of dollars for pet check - ups ?
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