To all the amazing people behind Noah's Ark, thank you for building a safe
haven for animals that had been abandoned, rejected, neglected and subjected to
terrible
abuse. What I can only dream of doing one day, you guys have achieved through
years of hard work, dedication and passion.
A big part of me was healed as I spent one of the best days ever, watching
and bonding with animals that ran freely and happily; receiving tonnes of love as
trusting eyes looked up at us and furry heads burrowed into our laps.
I've learnt a lot from my four (sometimes 3) legged friends.
Wanna play in the mud? Just play. Wanna get some carrot treats? Make friends
with the horses and huge chunks are bound to fall your way. Wanna go into the air
conditioned room? Just press your head against the door & wait patiently cuz
after 10 No's, you're bound to get a Yes. Wanna get away from the noisy dogs? Be
nice to the cats so you can stay with them in their quiet cattery.
With animals, life is this simple.
Contributed by Van Law, Visitor to the Ark
Visitors making their way to the stables - the first stop.
Clement sharing and educating visitors about horses.
Noah's Ark is a place where you can get up close and
personal with our Gentle Giants.
Warrior asking our visitors for carrots.
Prisma getting a carrot from a visitor.
Oso - Noah's Ark Resident.
Volunteers @ Work.
A bunny hiding away from visitors.
Chilling out at the Wisma with the cats.
Mr Carrot taking his afternoon nap.
What the dogs want from our visitors
is the human touch and affection.
A visit by NTU animal welfare group - Animal Lovers Society.
Diane posing with our K9 resident.
More licks from our dogs to our visitors.
Our dogs getting a nice cuddle
from our visitors.
Su Su taking a rest after all the excitement from our visitors.
Our PR Officer escorting the guests to the coach.
PR Officer ensuring that our guests are all accounted for and
saying her good byes to them.
If you have missed the tour to Noah's Ark, check out for the following events which will take place on:
Noah's Ark Open House & Self Drive on Saturday, 12 July
For details, please click HERE
Noah's Ark Tour on Saturday, 16 August
For details, please click HERE
Mr Canto Pop "See you soon at Noah's Ark! I will personally
bring you around the Ark."
Animal Rescue Work is not
easy as there are a lot of factors that are involved which constitutes in the
attempt to save an animal’s life. Rescuers have to source the necessary medical
help and at times it can be emotionally overwhelming for them when an animal
succumbs to its injuries or medical condition.
Noah’s Ark Natural Animal
Sanctuary (NANAS) has seen many emergency rescue cases and every case is
different with its own story of hope, trust and love by these animals towards
their compassionate rescuers.
Gabriel arrived in a vegetable crate.
Zhen Yi lifting Gabriel from the vegetable crate.
Zhen Yi (He had worked with
Raymund previously at Noah’s
Ark Lodge Private Animal Shelter
in Singapore), an owner of a vegetable plantation and a good friend of Raymund,
founder of Noah's Ark brought in a badly injured greyish-black Dusky Leaf Monkey.
The monkey was believed to be involved in a high speed vehicle collision
outside Zhen Yi’s plantation. Upon, noticing the monkey, he quickly drove to
Noah's Ark to seek medical help and advice from Raymund.
Transferring Gabriel to the clinic,
The dusky leaf monkeys
belong to the family of the Old World Monkeys and are classified as sub-species. They can be
found in Malaysia, Burma and Thailand and they live in dense forests. The
appearance of the dusky leaf monkey can be identified with its distinct white
spectacled fur markings around its eyes and mouth. Their palms and soles are
hairless and have distinct finger print markings and lines that resembles to
that of humans. Their diet compromises of mainly unripen fruits, leaves and
flowers from the sea bean tree and their digestive systems have the ability to
remove plant toxins. Newly born dusky leaf monkeys are bright orange in colour and
have a pink face. Within a span of six months, their fur will change from orange
to grey as they mature in age.
The monkey was transported
by Zhen Yi by using vegetable crates. Despite the fact that it was a wild
monkey, it allowed Zhen Yi to carry him with his bare hands as he trusted his
kind-hearted rescuer. The dusky leaf monkey had multiple injuries and was in an
immense amount of pain but was still conscious throughout. Raymund quickly transferred
it to the clinic for a medical assessment as it was bleeding and scared as it
griped the cage tightly. Under Raymund’s guidance, his worker Kaz and two
volunteers, Clement and Joanne, they quickly remove the dirt that was stuck to
its fur and to assess its injuries.
Raymund cleaning Gabriel's wounds.
Gabriel had a head injury from the accident.
The assessment was bleak as
the monkey had a diaphragmatic hernia which causes the abdominal organs to be
pushed into the diaphragmatic cavity. Also, he had a cracked skull, a fractured
left femur, a broken pelvis and was in a state of shock due to the sheer impact
sustained in the collision. Raymund administered an analgesic which is a
painkiller and antibiotics to alleviate the pain and to prevent infection.
Also, they were preparing to put him on IV fluid but the monkey was already
gasping for air.
The monkey held on to Clement’s hand with both of his
hands to express his gratitude and courage that he was grateful for the people
that had done their best to try and save him. The monkey whom we name Gabriel
after the archangel of God passed away peacefully due to his fatal injuries.
Gabriel's hands are like ours.
It was an emotionally
draining night for everyone as we could not save Gabriel which was only
estimated to be only four years old. However, as their friend and companions,
we knew that he had passed on by being surrounded by people who cared and loved
him. Gabriel’s story does not end here as it has opened our eyes to a bigger
picture which is the call for wildlife conservation which includes the
preservation of these animals’ natural habitats.
With the expansion of oil
plantations and rapid urbanisation, these factors have contributed to the dusky
leaf monkey’s habitat loss. Hunting for food has become a major threat for them
as they forced to move to areas near high traffic and urbanisation. They are
frequently victims of road-kill accidents and their species are listed as near
threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and
Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List.Also they are hunted for their meat, to being sold in the
pet trade and these factors have led to their decline in numbers. They can also
be found in Taman Negara National Park, Malaysia where there are efforts to
conserve them in a protected area.
As Noah's Ark animal welfare volunteers, through
Gabriel’s story, we can educate the public about protecting wildlife and conserving
their numbers by not destroying their habitat through unethical means. Our love
and respect to our fellow animals are important to let them know that we are
here for them as their only friend and crusader through thick and thin.
Rest well
Gabriel and run free at the rainbow bridge! Written by Darren Chan
To Read More and see more
Pictures about Dusky Leaf Monkeys:
It was a sorry sight of anguish and distress when Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Melaka found Yankee, a puppy,
who was abandoned overnight outside SPCA’s shelter gates.
Yankee was in a very bad shape as her leg was in a
mangled wreck. Her hind leg was contorted, twisted sideways and pinned beneath her. Her leg was barely attached to her body with
the long thin outer bone running at the rear leg protruding through her skin,
revealing the broken edges of bone. Imagine the amount of pain that a puppy had
to endure.
Due to Yankee’s open wound, it attracted a lot of flies
which could lead to a maggot wound with complex infections if left untreated. Her
movements were restricted and she was panting heavily due to the dehydration
and intense pain.
SPCA Melaka accessed Yankee’s wounds and found that it
was most likely to have been caused by an auto-mobile accident. Due to her
horrific injuries and the shelter’s limited resources, there was a high chance
that Yankee might have to be euthanised (P.T.S).
However the staff at SPCA
Melaka saw the fighting spirit and the will to live in Yankee’s eyes. Her
injuries were tended to and the dead tissue around her hind leg removed. Antibiotics and painkillers were injected regularly to relieve the
pain. Through tender loving care and patience by the staff at SPCA Melaka,
Yankee’s flesh wounds were healing and she was getting stronger in health.
The road to recovery is still long for Yankee as
her hind leg was still damaged and thus her body weight is unable to support
her leg. Therefore her injured leg would buckle and she will howl in pain. Most
of her time was spend in a crate where she would keep her upper body upright so
as to alleviate the pain in her lower body.
The staff at SPCA Melaka made a referral to
Noah’s Ark Natural Animal Sanctuary (NANAS) as they felt she would lead a better life there. On 14 September 2013, she made her journey
from Melaka to Noah’s Ark Natural Animal Sanctuary.
Raymund Wee, Founder of Noah’s
Ark named her “Yankee”. After taking an
X-ray of Yankee’s fractured hind leg, she was deemed to have multiple fractures of the femur and tibia and a dislocated femur
head. The advice was that her hind leg be
amputated to stop the pain. Yankee’s leg was
successfully amputated by Dr Alice Liow, who is a volunteer vet from
Singapore.
A video of Yankee after her surgery.
Two days after the operation, Yankee was
stricken with Canine Parvo Virus* which could affect her already weakened immune
system and small body. It was a near death experience for Yankee but she was a
little fighter and was determined to live. Yankee survived and recovered from
the personalized attention from Raymund. After a week of recuperation,
Yankee was strong enough to learn to use her three legs to walk again. She adapted well to her condition and was soon
running around happily. Looking at
Yankee, we should learn from her and be thankful as able human beings!
Yankee all grown up after 6 months at Noah's Ark.
Yankee is currently residing at Noah's Ark and being
both the feisty and playful puppy, you will not notice that she is different
from the other dogs. Her story is one of great determination and perseverance
against all odds to have a second chance at life.
Written By: Siah Li Mei
* Footnote
What is Canine Parvovirus?
The Canine
Parvovirus (CPV) infection is a highly contagious viral illness that affects dogs. The
virus manifests itself in two different
forms. The more common form is the intestinal form, which is characterized by
vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and lack of appetite. The less common is the
cardiac form, which attacks the heart muscles of very young puppies, often
leading to death. The majority of cases are seen in puppies that are between
six weeks and six months old. The incidence of Canine Parvo Virus infections has
been reduced radically by early vaccination in young puppies. (Source: PetMD)
Hi! I am Eva.
This photo was taken recently when
I was on vacation with mummy
and daddy in Penang.
I had a
home before (well kind of) in Johor. There were many dogs in the house, all of
them were in pairs – toy dogs and big dogs like Rottweilers, in a terrace
house. My ex-owner wanted to breed me but I did not have a partner. I was
constantly tied up at the porch. I was very unhappy and uncomfortable
with fungus and scabies on my body and ears. My neck was red, sore and
bald.
My ex-owner
faced financial problems and decided to skip town. So a kind neighbour
took pity on me and asked Uncle Raymund if he would take me in at Noah’s Ark
Natural Animal Sanctuary.
When I
arrived at Noah’s Ark, I was happy. I was no longer tied up and could go as
I pleased. I was treated for my skin ailments and sterilised. But
having stayed at Noah’s Ark for almost a year, I began to feel lonely as I do
not have enough human companionship (I am a Golden Retriever, after all).
And the big dogs frightened me (although I am big too). I would keep to myself and not
mingle with the other canines. Uncle Raymund sensed that I was miserable
and began looking for a home for me, one that matched my needs and my
prospective family.
My new beginning with Mummy in Melaka.
Every weekend, Mummy and Daddy
will take me to new
places for my morning walk.
On 2
November 2011, I started my new life in Melaka. I love my new life. I love my food, my
strolls in the park, my toys, cool sleeping spots in the house, car rides,
belly rubs… what more can I ask for.
Can you see the photos of Uncle Donald and Aunty Lily
with their dogs?
After my morning walk, its breakfast at our regular kopi tiam.
And most of all, I love my family. Let me
share with you why:
My "Muka Kesian" look for daddy.
Daddy -He is “paw-some”. I just
have to give him the “Muka Kesian” (a
Malay word means “pitiful
look on my face”) and he will sneak food to me. I even get to share
his “Musang King /Mau Sang Wang” durian. Daddy will allow me to poke my head
into the refrigerator and sniff the food. He also buys me treats like
kangaroo knee caps, kangaroo ears and bull jewels. Daddy is so easy to manipulate.
Because of Daddy, my waistline is expanding. I am what you would describe
as “pleasantly plump”.
Tinkerbell my Tai Kah Jie.
Tinkerbell
- She is the “Tai Kah Jie” (The Big Sister). The No.1 Cat in the family.
Her nickname is “Princess Aloof”. She never comes when called. She
walks all over the dining table and sleeps on the bed (and I am not allowed to.
It’s not fair!!).
She is utterly spoilt as she likes to be hand fed. She takes a long
time to finish her food and sometimes, she wastes food. (I never do that. I
finish all my food in record time). Her greatest redeeming quality is that she
guards the house. She stays awake and patrols the house at night while I retire
at 10.00 p.m. Yes, I will admit it. As a guard dog, I am as
intimidating as a squirrel.
Bello my best friend.
Bello
- He is my best friend. We play, sleep together and sniff each
other’s butt. He is so unlike Tinkerbell that I think he must be a dog in a
cat’s body. He goes to the humans when called and sits next to them.
He does not waste food (he takes after me) and enjoys belly-rubs.
He follows me to bed. He makes strange pleasant noises like a
motor engine all the time. This fluffy fur ball is sweet, gentle and
goofy. A little like me, actually.
My recent vacation in Penang last month.
I am one lucky girl!
Mummy always look for dog friendly
hotels in Malaysia.
Looking at the view with Mummy.
I went for a SPA by the beach.
Taking a sip at the pool side.
Trying my luck to see if I can get
something from these nice ladies.
Mummy -
She is the disciplinarian. Her nick name is “She Who Must Be Obeyed”. Her
favourite word is “NO!”. NO going through the trash can, NO rolling in road kill and NO eating cat poo. But Mummy does have
her positive attributes – she kisses, hugs and gives me belly-rubs, lets me
sleep in the room next to her at night (despite Daddy’s protests), walks me
daily, takes me for car rides, brings me to dog-friendly kopi-tiam and
restaurants and I get to go on holidays with her. I have been to Kuala
Lumpur, Penang, Cameron Highlands and Alor Setar. The hotels that we
stayed in allow dogs!!
That is me volunteering at WINGS, Melaka.
I am a good K9 citizen.
I feel that
I am one lucky pooch. I am now giving back to the community by volunteering at
WINGS, MELAKA, a centre for children and young adults with learning
difficulties. I am very calm and laid back, so this job is suitable for me. I
don’t have to do much really – I walk around a bit, let the kids touch, stroke and
hug me. Sometimes a naughty child will tug at my tail or scream loudly but it
is no big deal. And at the end of the
session, I get a small treat from Mummy.
I am very lucky that in Melaka, I get to dine with mummy
and daddy at restaurants.
Now, if
only I could convince Mummy that I am starving…
By the way, I have a Facebook Page - be my friend at Eva Cares.
The mushrooming of animal shelters in Johor Bahru and Singapore has prompted me to
write this article.
My belief is that although our emotional investment
is what drives many of us in this field, the animals that we care for so much about can
best be served when we translate our compassion into a logical and
systematic approach to medical care in a shelter.
Shelter Management
the
effect of overcrowding is numerous.
intensifies the effect of many other
negative factors, such a noise and stress for the animals.
more
stressful for street animals that are so used to the free roaming
life.
increases the contact rate between animals and increases overall
amount of disease in the population.
increases the likelihood that
a symptomatic carriers of disease will be present in the population and will be
shedding diseases at any given time.
makes it hard or impossible to
practice good husbandry.
leads to ever more crowding if staff and
volunteers is do overwhelmed by the animals' daily care.
Crowding is not
just a matter of cage space. Overcrowding occurs when the number of animals
outstrips the shelter staff's ability to care for each animal appropriately,
even if not every cage is full.
Overcrowding Kills if the shelter has no
isolation protocol.
Below are pictures of the conditions of one of the shelters in Malaysia.
These animals are just PRISONERS of your kindness or love.
