Volunteering at Noah's Ark

My first visit to Noah's Ark
 with my sister Angeline. 

2 April 2016 was my first visit to Noah’s Ark as part of a tour was just a week before I decided to volunteer with them and my reason was simple – I truly enjoyed being there. - David Puvan 

Selfie time.

Stepping into the field with a hundred dogs running towards me felt surreal and I fell in love with the sanctuary instantly. I remember feeling really excited about volunteering with the sanctuary and getting to know the residents a bit more.

My first day volunteering at Noah's Ark.

After being warmly welcomed (best welcome ever!) by the dogs who yearned for our touch, we kicked start our first activity of designing the names of the horses.  Art wasn’t really my zone of comfort but the idea of adding my personal touch to the stables was truly fulfilling.  It was then that I foresaw how I would enjoy the rest of my day – personally interacting with the animals and making their day better as it would mine.

I was given the opportunity to give Primus a bath.

When we got to the stables to watch the horses roam freely within the field, it was an experience like no other.  Watching the horses gallop alongside the dogs made me feel like I was part of an extravagant movie.  The interaction between the horses and with the dogs was something I could marvel at the whole day. This to me, was the best part of my experience – watching animals in an unbounded zone, free of human restrain and control. 

That is me with Melody.

The cutest interaction I observed was between Melody, the oldest and wisest, and Accolade (who apparently adored the former).  Accolade kept nudging his way toward my camera as I was trying to take a selfie with Melody – he either was jealous or wanted to be a part of our family portrait (which I would gladly have loved to accede if my camera was wide enough >.<)

Together with Accolade,
the tallest horse at the
sanctuary.

My next most memorable experience would be brushing the fur of the big dogs – this could have gone on forever but I enjoyed every bit of it.  Grooming the dogs was actually more therapeutic than I thought it would be – I guess because there was this attachment that brew between me and the dogs that it felt this way.  The love I felt was boundless; they enjoyed being touched and brushed and never wanted you to move on to another dog.  See, brushing them wasn’t only doing them good, it was also making me feel really loved. These animals have so much love to share and they just need people to shower them on.

Me giving Bullet an endless brushing.

Learning from the team, especially Lynda, was both enlightening and inspirational. There was so much that was done to help these vulnerable animals and there is still so much more that can be done.  Really, it isn’t how much we can do but what we can do that matters. I am a student who probably can’t contribute financially but simply being there and helping out in the smallest ways possible made a difference to the sanctuary, and most importantly to the ever-loving animals.  The appreciation of the team and the friendships I made there with my fur-buddies only makes me want to do more in my future visits…  And yes, I am definitely going back again – I miss my friends already! 

By David Puvan, an undergrad at NUS

To volunteer
If you would like to volunteer, please email to Noah's Ark Natural Animal Shelter at nanasmalaysia@gmail.com with your details.  Thank you.

Camping at Noah’s Ark with Students from SOTA

For the first time, Noah's Ark hosted a camping trip for a group of students from School of the Arts (SOTA).  The camp was led by Alysha Nair, together with her friends they planned and organized a 3D/2N camp from 7 to 9 June.

The main purpose of the camp was to let the students understand more about animal welfare and to teach them on the different ways to care for different animals at the sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to 600 dogs, 300 cats, 10 horses, 3 monkeys and rabbits. The students worked in a group and they were taught on how to care for the animals at the sanctuary.

Day 1

The first day was the Horse Therapy Programme where students were taught the basics of riding a horse and to interact with the horses properly.  Hugo Chia a student said, “I feel that the horses are extremely elegant and mighty animals. It was my first time riding a horse and I really love the feeling of riding a horse.” Adding on he said, “The animals can be our best friends but they can be our best teachers too. Animals display many basic values that we human beings might have forgotten or overlooked in life.”

Lynda Goh, a Noah's Ark volunteer and camp coordinator shared that the horse therapy programme was to give the students the opportunity to work with horses and to give them self confidence.  In Singapore horse riding is an expensive hobby and it is a sport which not everyone can participate.  We wanted to give the students the chance to understand that these horses are beautiful and gentle giants.

From left: Nicole, Vanessa and Alysha with
a rescued Great Dane, Juno.

Next, the students were allowed to observe the clinical work that was done for the animals on a case by case basis to assess any underlying health problems or for routine vaccinations. Alysha Nair, a student said, “I find the clinical experience very interesting and I have a deeper understanding of Uncle Raymund's compassion and sincerity in helping the animals.” At the clinic, Raymund also shared with the students about the meaning of an animal lover, one should consider what the term “love” means. To him, the most basic thing is “respect” which is the respect for any creatures great and small.

Day 2

The second day of the camp was letting the students learn about the general housekeeping procedures of the many animals at the sanctuary. The students were tasked to wash the animal’s food bowls and to fill their water bowls too. 

By mid- morning, the students were at the cattery to brush and to clean the cats' ears. The animals at the sanctuary do not get visitors very often so it is a good opportunity for the students to interact with them. Hariharan, a student said, “ I am a dog person but throughout the trip, I have grown to like cats as they were really gentle and would sit next to people and just be there with you. 

Vanessa, a student said, “Cats used to be my favorite but after the trip I like them equally. It is a heartening experience to see all the animals, especially the cats and dogs living together.” The students were also allowed to rinse the horses and learn the basic techniques of grooming the horses.

Raymund Wee also shared with the students about his work in running of the sanctuary daily in caring for all the animals. It showed that through cases of abuse and neglect on dogs like Juno who despite her past was given a second chance at the sanctuary. Even though there is a need for more awareness and priority on animal welfare in Singapore, Raymund shared with the students that they need to know that the factors in keeping the sanctuary running daily was compassion, love and perseverance in working together with the volunteers and workers for the benefit of the animals. 

Jasmine giving  her paw to Nicole.

Nicole, a student said, “Previously, I was allergic to pets and I could not keep them but this was one of my most enjoyable trips and it was a joy to meet all the animals. I realised that all animals such as cats and dogs could live together and it has helped me to grow as a person and understand the animals more.”

Alysha preparing breakfast for the group with Uncle Raymund.

Hari taking over the cooking
from Alysha.

French Toast. Yummy!!

Throughout the camp, the students had to take turns in the morning to prepare breakfast for the group. They had to plan the food that they wanted to cook and to buy as part of their planning for the camp. The students also get to learn real life lessons such as event planning. 

They also understood that the animals at the sanctuary have their own different background stories and personalities which are similar to humans and that they seek only a human’s love, respect and care to understand them. Vanessa said, “Uncle Raymund, Aunty Lynda, Le Ying and the workers at Noah's Ark persevere with a strong focus towards animal welfare and a firm yet loving heart for the animals. To co-ordinate the operations of managing so many animals is no easy feat and has helped me to appreciate the many different roles in an animal welfare organisation.”

Back row from left: Vanessa and Alysha
Front rown from left: Nicole and Le Ying

Hari and Hugo helped the workers to transport the cement
for the construction of Huggy Boy's enclosure.

Man @ Work.

David (right) supervising Hugo to unload the cement.

Both Hugo and Hari giving the final touches to the stable fences.

Evo supervising and ensuring that
the girls washed the horses' buckets.

The students shared that through their camping experience at Noah's Ark, they are able to live their stressful academic life behind for awhile to focus on the therapeutic experience of caring for the animals and living behind their technology devices as there is no internet connection at the sanctuary. Lynda, a Noah's Ark camp coordinator said, “I am impressed with the students, some of them were non pet owners and they adapted very well with the animals. They showed no fear, they were calmed and they remained positive. They listened to instructions, they were serious in their work to help the animals and were not afraid of the hard work.” At the last day of the camp, the students all agreed that the camp was an enriching, memorable and inspirational experience and that they would like to come back again to help the animals.

A well deserved Lok Lok dinner for everyone at
the sanctuary. 

From left: Alysha, David, Hugo, Hari, Raymund, Vanessa and Nicole

Camps are usually conducted during the school holidays for a group about 10 paxs/students.  If you want to plan a camping  trip, please email to Noah's Ark CARES.

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To join our mailing list, please email to Noah's Ark CARES.