Over legislation kills

Photo credits: 

Genevieve Yap Lai Ye, Student of Lasalle College of the Arts

In a society where we boast of freedom and clearly recognised the importance of our leadership in this region, one must be increasingly disillusioned by the simple things in life that prevent us from moving ahead even further. We can successfully persuade family to stop at two, monopolies the gambling industries and having the marketing prowess to alter human life in this city call Singapore.

The suffering of our street animals is a deep and quiet thing and yet thousands of people hear and care and hope to answer this call. More than 25 Animal Welfare Groups have invested their time and money. While Singaporeans are donating thousands of their dollars to animal welfare organisations who promised that they are relieving animal sufferings.

But are they? Or, is the trust being placed in them by their donors, being betrayed.?

The overpopulation of dogs and cats is the major source of the suffering and death of thousands of animals a year in Singapore. This is a problem for which the cause is well known, the consequences of not solving it are well known and the tools for solving it are within reach. And yet, little headway is being made. It is one  of the simplest problems to correct.

Where is the effort to prevent the over population in the first place?

Our society should devote a sizable of our existence to find out the problem that is facing us and to realise that we must refocus our efforts on the TRUE meaning of responsibility and compassion and to understand that even though only one voice, each human is part of a societal choir of sorts that has far reaching consequences for everyone in that given society. We can never expect to win the game until all teammates play by the same rules.

The Animal Welfare Groups are not useless. It is a better place with them than without them, but they fall short. To whom much is given, much is expected.

Remember over legislation kills more good people.

By Raymund Wee

News from Noah's Ark - March 2015

Dear Friends of Noah's Ark Our sanctuary in Malaysia will turn 15 this year. Although it seems as if it was just yesterday, time has not been so kind to it and its many residents.  Many of them have crossed over to Rainbow Bridge taking a little part of us with them.  I know I can speak for many of us who are grateful to Raymund for having the vision to dream of a stray free Singapore as well as of building an animal sanctuary for abused, abandoned and stray animals to support that goal. It is very heartening to note that Singapore is moving towards that vision with respect to our stray cat population.  The decision to sterilize stray cats in Singapore so as to reduce the numbers culled has finally been reached by authorities.  Noah's Ark CARES's stand has always been that sterilization is the only humane way to reduce any stray population: previous efforts at stray sterilization have led to a 30% reduction in the number of stray cats collected last year by the authorities. We at Noah's Ark CARES sincerely hope that in time this decision will be extended to our stray dog population in Singapore.  The recent proliferation of animal welfare groups concerned about Singapore strays is evidence that there is growing public awareness that a more humane way to reduce the stray population is needed.  We hope that this plea will not remain ignored for much longer. Even whilst we applaud these tiny steps of progress, we know that the work for animal welfare is never done.  At Noah's Ark CARES we continue to work to maintain the sanctuary: that has in its short 15 years seen many upheavals.  At times it felt that we would not be able to survive the many crises, a few notable ones being the devastating floods in 2009, the financial crisis in 2007 which saw a sharp decline in financial support, the boundary issue which affected our clinic and several structures .  The challenges remain plenty and never ending.  Nevertheless we take courage from the trust our animals have in us and our many supporters.   Our animals know that we will never abandon them, that our promise to care for them till their last breath will not be broken. Similarly, our efforts to educate people about the joys of adoption and responsible pet ownership must continue earnestly.  For it is through creating greater awareness that we will heighten public consciousness.  Hopefully, there will come a time when the need for a sanctuary becomes redundant, when each animal finds a loving forever home. Till that time, we remain committed to running the sanctuary, knowing that it will continue to provide a home for the many abused and abandoned companion animals that we have taken upon ourselves to call family.  Noah's Ark Fund Raising Dinner To celebrate our 15th year in Pekan Nanas and 20 years in animal welfare we will be organzing a fund raising dinner on Friday, 3 July to enable Noah's Ark to continue at least another 20 years of its important and good work. We would like to believe that our vision of a stray free Singapore and Malaysia will be closer to a reality then and our objectives finally reached. So if you too believe in this vision of a more humane society for animals and humans alike, consider supporting our fund raising dinner on 3 July - for our animals will always need your voice and support. We look forward to seeing you at this dinner - so in anticipation of a large gathering ,we would like to record our thanks in advance to everyone for their continued support. We exist because of your beliefs. Thank you. Ms Chew Gek Hiang President Noah's Ark CARES   Happenings at Noah's Ark Noah's Ark Fund Raising Dinner: Friday, 3 July '15 Date:    Friday, 3 July '15 Venue:  Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Time:    7.30 p.m. Price of Tickets: $280 per ticket                        $2,500 for 10 tickets/per table Menu: Chinese meal If you require a vegetarian meal, please inform the organisers. Host: Actress/Singer Pam Oei, one-third of the Dim Sum Dollies will be hosting the event. To purchase your tickets, please email to Noah's Ark CARES For enquiries, please contact/whatsapp to 9199 6247.   In memory of Small Seng and Mandy needs help Small Seng, a Springer Spaniel was living at a factory which he called home, one day the staff at the factory called us for help because Small Seng was restless and wasn't eating.  To read about his plight, please click here. A few days ago, we attended to a compassionate case, Mandy, a Shihtzu - due to unforeseen circumstances, Mdm C was unable to care for the dog that she had to give her up.  Please click here to read Mandy's story. If you would like to support Small Seng's and Mandy's medical aid, please email to Noah's Ark CARES. Noah's Ark Tour: Saturday, 28 March '15 Meeting Point:  Boon Lay MRT Time: 1:30 p.m. Have you registered for your visit to Noah's Ark?   If no, you may email to Noah's Ark CARES today. For more details, please click here. Shampoo and Food Drive by Rein Biotech   For every bottle of shampoo or a carton of dog / cat tin food - Rein Biotech will contribute ONE for ONE. Tin food is use for the old/sick dogs and cats to give them the appetite to eat and its also used to feed them their medication. Please help us to feed the animals at Noah's Ark.   To place your order, please click here.   Shampoo Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe (1 gallon) $117.50 Earthbath Eucalyptus & Peppermint (1 gallon) $101.65 Earthbath Tea Tree & Aloe Vera (1 gallon) $107.00      Dog tin food (1 carton / 12 cans - 390g each) Zealandia Wild Brushtail $63.57 Zealandia Free Rang Venison $63.57 Zealandia Wild Kangaroo & Turkey $63.57 Zealandia King Salmon & Hoki $58.42 Zealandia Lamb $58.42    Cat tin food (1 carton / 24 cans - 185 g each) Zealandia Wild Brushtail $83.46 Zealandia Free Rang Venison $83.46 Zealandia Wild Kangaroo & Turkey $83.46 Zealandia King Salmon & Hoki $83.46 Visiting vet students During the vet students vacation in December '14 /January '15 - we had 6 students attached to Noah's Ark Animal Birth Control Clinic with the support and assistance from our Volunteer Vets from Singapore.   Please visit our blog to read about the students experience during their vacation.  Click here. To find out more about Dillon and Kenneth's reflection during their 2 weeks attachment at the Ark please visit here. In loving memory of Warrior  On Sunday, 1 February, we lost a dear friend Sir Steadfast Warrior who fought a battle from his illness which the vet suspected that it was acute esophageal obstruction known as choke, swallowing disorders or uncommonly with congenital abnormalities of the upper airway. Please click here to read our tribute to Warrior. Pepi, Noah's Ark resident To contribute and support our work for the animals If you wish to: To sponsor a pet programme To sponsor some of our pet food To sponsor medical aid for the animals To support our spay and neuter programmes To upkeep the sanctuary for the the residents - Buy a Brick To make a contribution You may write a cheque to Noah's Ark CARES and mail it to: 42 Cairnhill Road, #02-01 Singapore 229661 To make a fund transfer, you may transfer to the following accounts.   Upon transferring please send us and email in order for us to track and to acknowledge receipt.  Bank: DBS Account type: DBS Current Account No: 012-900823-0 Account Name: Noah's Ark CARES Branch Code: 012 Bank Code: 7171 Bank: OCBC Bank (OCBCSGSG) Account No: 501-827745-001 Account Name: Noah's Ark Companion Animal Rescue & Education Society Branch: OCBC Head Office Branch Code: 501 Bank Code: 7339 To stay in touch with the latest happenings at Noah's Ark please visit our blogs and Facebook page at: Blogs Noah's Ark CARES http://nanasanctuary.blogspot.sg/  Noah's Ark Natural Animal Sanctuary http://noahsarkcares.blogspot.sg/  Facebook Noah's Ark CARES https://www.facebook.com/noahsarkcares Horses at Noah's Ark https://www.facebook.com/horsesatnoahsark Email info@noahsarkcares.com  noahsarkcares@gmail.com

Compassionate Collaboration Towards a No-Kill Society

Some might ask, what is the price for freedom? 

To these dogs, it means the ability to find a place 

where they are protected and loved forever.  

“Our task is to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion 

to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.”

- Albert Einstein 

Noah’s Ark Natural Animal Sanctuary (NANAS) has always put the interests of the animals first with the establishment of the Vet Help Program for aspiring and voluntary veterinarians to come forward to volunteer their time at the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Clinic. However, Noah's Ark has been forced to step in to lend a helping hand in dire situations that threaten the animals’ welfare. Such dire situations arises when due to limitations, the animal shelter involved in taking care of these animals are unable to adequate medical care for these animals.

In this instance, Noah's Ark has graciously accepted to take in a few animals from SPCA Melaka that were suffering from various medical ailments and as a gesture of goodwill to give these animals a place to recover and to call their own at the sanctuary. This gracious exception will put an end for the animals’ fervent search at finding a permanent home.

The truth is that shelter animals are always waiting and searching for good owners to welcome them into their homes so that they would not be confined to a shelter for the rest of their lives. Moreover, shelter animals make excellent pets as they only ask for companionship and the basic necessities which are food, water and shelter to feel contented. The harsh reality is that some shelter animals are not given that chance. Furthermore, people have the urge to buy a pet instead of adopting one from a animal shelter, this will deny the animals a chance to find a permanent home.

These animals are the more privileged ones that have gotten rescued and be recipients of the medical assistance that they so badly deserved. Animal shelters are also faced with a huge amount of abandonment cases that they are spread thinly at the expense of the animals.

Marco a Rottweiler was neglected for the last two years 

without proper medications. He was suffering from 

chronic mange and fungal infection.

Raymund Wee, founder of Noah's Ark says, “The world is such that we are constantly urged to chase after a moment of fame. The feel good moment will last only when we are unseated by the next winner. Perhaps we need to step off and consider how we can impact the animals. Such efforts will bear fruit that last through time.” Adding on he further elaborates by saying, “When leadership of the animal shelters fail, the killing goes on.” 

Raymund observes that some animal shelters hide behind the word “Mercy Killing” as an easy way out than trying to save them.

An emaciated Japanese Spitz, weighing a mere 5 kg, down 

with suspected tick fever.  Immediately it was given 

an emergency IV drip and vitamin B12 to boost it immunity system.

The truth is that Noah's Ark has been taking in close to about 100 animals from SPCA Melaka to provide them with urgent medical treatments and a place where they are able to recuperate. Raymund provides his own insight on the limitations that animal shelters faces. He says, “Animal Shelters similar to SPCA has their own constitutions where the shelter gives half-way housing for surrendered or rescued animals and they do not have sanctuary facilities.” Adding on he says, “To help the animals, animals that are to be kept longer than 3 months need to be moved to a foster home which applies to senior animals and those with disabilities so that they have a higher chance of getting adopted.”

Animal welfare organisations need to know when to step off the publicity train so that they can focus their attention on more pressing matters at hand which is for the welfare of the animals and not themselves. With humility and compassion, more animals can find that loving home that they are seeking for most of their lifetime and meet responsible owners who are ready to make that commitment.

Nelly, a final year veterinarian student from
Glasgow was on attachment as part of
Vet Help@Noah's Ark
giving Marco a physical examination.

From left: Vincent, SPCA Melaka President, Loy and Mei, Noah's Ark Volunteers,
Tong, SPCA Volunteer and Angeline, SPCA Melaka Vice President. 

Also, the public has to understand that it is their own responsibility to care for their pets till they pass on as it is part of their duty as a guardian. It is a simple reason is that a pet will be by your side at any time, without hesitation. The best we can do for them is to give them the company and love that they need. The question is “Which legacy do we wish to live and leave behind?” It is a matter of our own choices that will determine the progress of animal welfare and the weight of its impact on the animals.

By Darren Chan   

The Purpose of Animal Welfare Organisations

Last year, Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary (NANAS) launched a new pilot program called the mobile Animal Birth Control (ABC) clinic to facilitate the sterilisation street cats, dogs and for owners who cannot afford the cost of sterilisation in Malaysia.

The cost of sterilisation is either at a subsidised rate or given free, depending on a case by case basis which will be assessed by Raymund Wee, founder of NANAS.

Through the continued efforts of goodwill and collaborations, Noah's Ark has also helped other animal welfare organizations such as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Johor Bahru. 

These three kittens were part of a street rescue that SPCA had conducted to reduce the number of strays through sterilisation. SPCA conducts street rescues when there is a sharp increase in the stray population or when a complaint is filed so that they can monitor the situation closely.

However, due to the high volume of rescues that SPCA JB conducts daily, the organization is also overwhelmed with the number of sick and injured animals that are in need of urgent treatment. This is where Noah's Ark comes in to lend its resources in helping SPCA JB with the temporary housing of these animals after medical treatment and sterilisation. With the ABC clinic, animals that cannot be treated at SPCA JB are brought into Noah's Ark for treatment and then returned.

By helping one another as organisations, more animals have the opportunity to find a second chance at getting a good owner and a loving home where they can live out the rest of their lives in safety and not on the streets.

At the sanctuary, these three kittens are brought in for a general health-screening and sterilisation. When the sterilisation is done, the kittens are then brought back to SPCA JB for adoption. These active collaborations between the two animal welfare organizations offer a glimpse of pooling together more resources and ways to help more animals. This will in turn give more animals the chance to lead better lives and to actively reduce the stray population through active partnerships and collaborations.

However, Raymund hopes that the many animal welfare organisations stay focus and are passionate in helping the animals whole-heartedly and not half-heartedly. He gives an analogy of an accident prone area where there is a high amount of accidents; there should be preventive measures to reduce the number of accidents by installing more lights and to address the issue thoroughly to prevent more casualties. It is necessary to sterilise all the strays and not only a certain portion.

He terms it as the “fire-engine syndrome” in animal welfare and it reflects on the attitude of animal welfare groups. He says, “When there is a siren, these groups will act, but they do not address the issue sufficiently to prevent it from happening again which is the problem.” He hopes that more proactive steps can be taken to address the stray problem at certain places which is to release, relocate or re-home them and nip the stray issue in the bud instead of giving up halfway.
 

By Darren Chan