This Singapore Company Lets You Meet & Play With Other People’s Dogs On Fun Furdates From Just $10
Owning a dog is tough work. Other than the amount of time and care needed, there are also hefty vet bills and daily pet expenses to account for. Plus, not all homes are conducive for these highly active fluffballs due to space constraints. As such, many of us pet-deprived animal lovers can only watch wistfully when we see others walking their precious furkids at nature spots and taking them on brunch outings to pet-friendly cafes.
Look on with puppy dog eyes no more, for you can now get up close and personal to adorable pooches with Furpal, a special "dog borrowing" service in Singapore that helps you arrange for furdates with other people’s pets from just $10!
P.S.: Check out our article on What The Pug, Singapore’s first-ever pug petting cafe!
Read on to find out more about Furpal in Singapore!
Photo from Furpal
Now, just to be clear, Furpal isn’t a dating app (though if you do somehow find love there, good for you!). It’s more about the dog than it is about the owner - though the owner will definitely have to be present to supervise the session and ensure that their precious one is safe and well-handled.
Photo from Furpal
How it works is that you first sign up as a Furfriend at no cost, before scanning through dog profiles by location. These dog profiles include photos and information on the dog’s age, personality, and temperament, so you can select one that suits you best. For example, if you’re not a fan of yappy dogs, you can always opt for a furdate with a quieter and sedentary one. Likewise, if you’re afraid of big dogs, you can simply choose a small one!
Photo from Furpal
Furpal’s list of doggy friends is super extensive, ranging from irresistibly cute puppies less than a year old, to more senior dogs nearing a decade old. All sorts of dog breeds are on there, including but not limited to Shiba Inus, Pomeranians, Cavapoos, Pomskies, Dachshunds, Samoyeds, Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Toy Poodles…you name it!
Photo from Furpal
Once you’ve made your choice, you’ll be able to chat with the owner online. Should they approve your play request, you’ll then move on to set up a date and timing to meet. These meet-ups are usually held at the owner’s home or at a public space in the vicinity, as these are places that are familiar to the dogs, but if the owner is comfortable with it, other locations can be discussed.
Photo from Furpal
The experience will be a lot more intimate than at a pet cafe, as you’ll get one-on-one time with the dog without other distractions in the way. You might even get a chance to take the dog on a walk. At the same time, you’ll be able to learn about pet care directly from the owners themselves, and perhaps make a new hooman friend too!
It’s a win-win situation; You get the joy of playing with a cute canine companion minus the commitment, while the owner is able to allow the dog to socialise, gain confidence, and be simulated both mentally and physically.
This is also a great way for potential dog owners to gauge whether the commitment dog ownership - or a particular breed of dog - is suitable for them.
Photo from Furpal
If all goes well and you and the dog both take a mutual liking to each other, you can always arrange a repeat furdate in the future. In fact, as social creatures, dogs enjoy forming long-term bonds with people!
The sign-up process is an extensive one to ensure that only serious applicants are on the site. All Furfriends and dog owners are vetted extensively so as to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
Photo from Furpal
Furdates with Furpal dogs are mostly priced at $10 per hour per visitor, though we did see a couple of owners charging $15 per hour. This is but a token sum for their time, and will go into offsetting some of their pet upkeep costs. View Furpal’s full list of dogs here, and find out more via their website and Instagram page.
More for animal lovers:
- Paws Claws: Ragamuffin cat cafe, only $12 for entry with free kitty meringue biscuit
- Puppy Yoga Singapore: Be surrounded by dogs as you get fit
- Syrian hamsters living the life with fancy tea party setups
- Cookie & Cuddle: Dog petting cafe with dog-shaped taiyaki & cookie dough brownies
Share this with a dog lover!
Text by: GirlStyle SG
