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OneService Community
Animal Nuisance

PAWSitive Norms

31 May 2023

A resident-led campaign in Bukit Timah promoted responsible dog ownership through signage, events, and outreach materials, reducing dog waste complaints from six to one and engaging over 200 residents.

📌 About the project

  • Bukit Timah Ward, Holland-Bukit Panjang GRC (2022).

  • Led by residents from the Eng Kong, Cheng Soon and Watten Estate neighbourhoods, in partnership with the People’s Association (PA) and National Environment Agency (NEA), with support from the MSO’s Love Our ‘Hood Youth Challenge Fund.

  • From March 2022 to May 2023, the project team implemented a public education campaign that included various publicity materials such as banners and posters, and raised awareness through targeted community events and outreach activities.

🏘️ The issue

  • Feedback from residents highlighted irresponsible dog ownership, such as owners not picking up their dogs’ poo or disposing of it in residents’ or neighbours’ bins.

💡 What we did

  • Developed and installed posters and banners, promoting ‘PAWSitive’ norms on responsible dog ownership, and produced dog bin stickers for homeowners to paste on recycling bins as reminders for responsible dog poo disposal.

  • Organised a dog-run event to foster bonding among dog owners.

  • Held a tree-planting cum fostering-good-dog-habits community event in May 2023 to engage residents and raise awareness of responsible dog ownership. The project team distributed customised dog poop bags, stickers, and flyers to all event attendees, containing practical tips and information to encourage responsible dog care habits.

“Pawsitive Norms” poster on responsible dog ownership and pet waste disposal.

A PAWSitive Norms campaign banner promoting responsible pet ownership and shared responsibility for a clean neighbourhood, displayed throughout the Bukit Timah Estate.

Residents gather at a playground for a community briefing session.

Over 200 residents attended the PAWSitive Norms event in the Watten Estate.

Resident with leashed dogs speaks to volunteers at a park outreach booth.

The distribution of customised dog poop bags, stickers, and flyers at the PAWSitive Norms event.

🔍 What we learnt

  • Active engagement with the community, such as through educational workshops and events, helped to raise awareness about responsible dog ownership and foster a sense of shared responsibility.

  • Collaboration with local grassroots and community organisations proved essential in gaining support and amplifying the campaign messages.

  • Customised outreach materials (e.g. poop bags, stickers, flyers) served as visual and tangible reminders for residents and were effective in promoting the team’s messages and educating residents.

⚙️ Key considerations

  • To maximise visibility, banners needed to be placed strategically in high footfall areas, after consultation with relevant agencies such as NEA and the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

  • Sufficient time needed to be allocated for project planning and implementation, especially when team members had competing commitments. Clear role definition, structured timelines, and effective communication were essential to maintain progress and manage workloads efficiently.

📈 Impact

  • Reduced dog waste complaints from six in January 2023 to one in June 2023.

  • Numerous anecdotal testimonials were received from both dog owners and non-dog owners in the neighbourhood, who observed positive changes, such as cleaner streets and better adherence to dog waste management practices.

  • Over 200 Watten Estate residents were educated on responsible dog ownership practices.

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