BE CURIOUS! Use the Questionaire interview questions to guide you (adapt accordingly), and post the findings (do not paste image of worksheet) in detail in your respective columns to be ready for the session on 28th April.

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Pets offer companionship, emotional support, physical activity, and even social connection. But behind every happy pet-owner photo lies a deeper story. Caring for an animal is a long-term commitment that comes with responsibilities, sacrifices, and challenges.

Animal welfare also goes beyond pet ownership; abandonment, animal cruelty or strays are very real issues in Singapore too.

In your design thinking based VIA project, your goal is to go beyond the surface. What’s it really like to care for a pet every day? What worries or struggles do pet owners face? What keeps them going, and what kind of support might they wish they had?

Members: Shannon, Tiffany, Felicia, Jesslyn, Shi Han

Interview questions:

1. What are the daily routines and responsibilities involved in caring for a pet?

2. How do pet owners manage unexpected health issues or emergencies with their animals?

3. How do pet owners balance their personal, work, and family commitments with the needs of their pets?

Team members: Alicia Ng, Ying Ning (Alicia 2), Shreya, Shi Min, Grace

Interview Questions:

1. What support systems (family, friends, community groups) do pet owners rely on?

2. What emotional challenges do pet owners face, such as dealing with a pet’s illness, aging, or loss?

3. How do pet owners deal with behavioral problems or training difficulties?

Team members: Gary, Samuel, Qi Chun, Junyu, Guanghao

Interview Questions:

1. What challenges do pet owners face when living in HDB flats or apartments with pets?

2. How do pet owners educate themselves about responsible breeding, adoption, or rescuing animals?

3. What role does technology (apps, online communities, telemedicine) play in supporting pet care?

Team members: Shanice, Louis, Kaylie, Syukran, Adrian

Interview Questions:

1. How can pet owners educate others about responsible pet ownership?

2. How do pet owners handle travel or long absences from home?

3. What do you think are the biggest misconceptions about owning a pet?

Team members: Gerard, Sean, Wen Hong, Yi Xiang

Interview Questions:

1. How do pet owners handle conflicts with neighbors or landlords about their pets?

2. What impact does pet ownership have on the mental health and well-being of owners?

3. What are the social stigmas or stereotypes associated with certain pets or pet owners?

Team members : Jonathan, Chengxi, Dylan, Owenn, You Hong

Interview Questions:

1. What do pet owners wish they had known before getting a pet?

2. What keeps them going, and what kind of support might they wish they had?

3. What worries or struggles/challenges do pet owners face?

4. What are the most rewarding moments or experiences that make the challenges worthwhile?

I own cats, so personally, the daily routines is to feed them their daily meals, breakfast and dinner. The cat litter also needs to be cleared whenever necessary and we also play with them toys occasionally. We are also required to bring them to the vet for their checkups yearly and register them under the cat management framework.

2. How do pet owners manage unexpected health issues or emergencies with their animals?

We bring the cats to daily checkups at the clinic. If the cats start acting strangely, such as hiding under the bed most of the time, and not eating much, we would try to find out what's wrong first. However, if this issue persists, then we would bring the cat to the vet.

3. How do pet owners balance their personal, work, and family commitments with the needs of their pets?

We would make time for our cats, feeding them breakfast in the morning and dinner at night when we reach home, clearing the cat litter whenever necessary and playing with the cats in our pockets of time.

rely on family, especially when need help cleaning the waste tray or when giving them a bath

2. What emotional challenges do pet owners face, such as dealing with a pet’s illness, aging, or loss?

some would get upset when their pets get older since most the pets may not be as playful or interested to play anymore. When pets get sick, owners would definitely feel upset and worried. Owners would definitely be scared of losing their pets, especially since they have lived years with the pet.

3. How do pet owners deal with behavioral problems or training difficulties?

When you want teach a pet (for example a dog) how to pee at the correct place, you can first give them a treat every time they go near the area, so they’d have a habit going there. And when they poo else where, can like put it at the area you want them, so they’d learn since there is the scent there and they’ll most likely pee/ poo there next time. Rewarding them with treats helps to encourage the behaviour.

I wish I knew how much time and money pets need. They need food, vet visits, and attention.

2. What keeps pet owners going?

My pet's love and companionship keep me going. They bring me joy and comfort.

3. What kind of support might pet owners wish they had?

I wish I had more support from people who understand pets. Helpful vets and online resources would be great too.

4. What worries or struggles do pet owners face?

I worry about my pet's health and behavior. Sometimes it's stressful and expensive.

5. What are the most rewarding moments or experiences that make the challenges worthwhile?

The best moments are when my pet cuddles with me or learns something new. It's all worth it for the love and joy they bring.

1. The pet owner owns pet fishes and is afraid that there will not be enough space in the house to have fish tanks to keep fish and he wants the fishes to live in a spacious tank.

   
   

2. Through Instagram post and reels and YouTube videos find pet related content to find out how to properly take care of pets and where to adopt them legally and others.

   
   

3. With technology he feels that, helps to understand how to care for pets and there are gadgets that are automated which can be used to entertain pets for example making his fish tanks more lively

2. we can let our relatives and friends take care of our pets while we are away

3. One big misconception about pets is that as long as they have toys they are happy. Pets need human interaction and play to promote a healthy and active lifestyle

2. Pets are attached to owners and serve as companions. (Example: My girls brings me joy. I look forward to coming home and seeing them daily.)

3. Typical stereotypes include assuming dogs are generally friendly but approaching them requires care and time, dogs need their space as well, talking about stigmas, would be that dogs are generally unhygienic and should not be allowed into food places, maybe with more pets around us, this stigma may gradually change over the next few years. (Example: 3. I hope there will be more aircon places will allow us to dine or hang out with our dogs. Big dogs owners usually faces more issues… smaller dogs usually easier… because maybe looks cuter.)

Finally pets are for life, it is a very important decision that one should make with their family members, adopt a pet rather than buying one on impulse or because it was cute. Pets are the same as humans, they have their needs and desire too and also emotions.

Event name: A Pet-tastic morning

Objective of the pet fair : A community event designed to bring together pet owners snd animal lovers. This gathering will feature fun activities for people to learn more about animals along with an educational segment, offering valuable insights on how to better care for your pets (for the pet owners)

Target audience : Pet owners, animal lovers (open to the public in general)

Plan for the VIA (already planned out): We will have different game booths (8 booths), all features different activities and people can complete the activities to finish a stamp rally, and win a prize at the end. The pet fair will also feature different activities for the pets (pets are allowed at the event!)and kids like pet caricatures, art crafts for kids etc.

Budget wise: the organiser will have a more than enough budget ~1000$+?

More details about the pet fair: will be held in the june holidays (22 June, 10am - 1pm) at Zone A basketball court