Overcrowding in shelters kills....

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.

Contributed by Raymund Wee

Internship at Noah's Ark by UPM Students

February 2014, we had 6 year one Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Putra Malaysia (UPM) attached to Noah’s Ark for a week to understand veterinary animal shelter practice.

The students had to observe the daily operations of a shelter management and to gain skills in animal shelter practice.  They also had the opportunity to understand the importance of "Animal Birth Control" and a holistic approach towards a stray free environment by Raymund.

Student clipping the cat's nails.

Raymund giving the students a tour of the facilities.

Visiting the Wisma which houses close to 100 cats and 4 dogs.
(including Mr Max)

Hi 5! from Jasmine.

Add caption

Oso (left) and Hachika (right) want to be in the picture too!

A group photo for the album.

Buy a Gift of Hay!

To buy a bale of hay as gifts to our rescued horses, please email to noahsarkcares@gmail.com

On behalf of our rescued horses, Thank You.

Volunteers feeling connected with our furry friends

8 March, it was Noah's Ark Volunteer Day at the sanctuary in Johor. 

Nineteen participants took part and they volunteered to groom, play and had fun with the cats, dogs and horses.

It was an eye opening experience for some participants who were not pet owners, their willingness to learn to bath the dogs.  We have to salute these brave souls for their courage to work with the dogs at the sanctuary.

The cats had the privileged of having play time after being groomed by the team of cat volunteers.

The volunteers who helped at the horse stables - did not get enough of their doze of horse therapy.  They are looking forward for their next visit for more horsey time.

Many went home feeling connected with our furry friends.

We would like to thank our friends for making time and for being with the animals.

Please stay tune on Noah's Ark CARES facebook for the next Noah's Ark Volunteer Day.

Meanwhile, lets go behind the scene and check out what happened at Noah's Ark.

On behalf of the doggies at the sanctuary, thank you for the lovely gifts.

At the catteries...

Weisheng and Lynette helping to groom the cats at the Wisma.

One of our cat checking out Lynette's bag as part of the security check.

Audrey giving the cat a good groom.

Amrys helping out with the cats at the open air cattery. 

Siew Luan with the cats at one of our first cattery which was built in 2000.

At Fortune Lodge...

George spending time with Rico

Vivian helping to bath the dogs at Fortune Lodge.

At the Stables...

Le Ying giving Primus @ Sanuk a good scrub.

Final rinse down for Primus @ Sanuk.

Halim explaining to the volunteers about caring the horse's hoof.

At the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Clinic...

Lui Ping is a visitor from USA and she came with her friends
to help to clean the dogs' ears after their bath.

George and Jessica helping to dry the dogs.

Luke (left) is a visitor from USA - he came to help us too!
Joanne (in orange tee) helping to clean the dog's eyes while
Esther helped to hold the dog still.

Luke and Esther drying a poodle.

When asked about their experience at the sanctuary - this is what they have to say:

"It was my first experience with  horses and I enjoyed working and being with them very much.  I thank Noah's Ark very much for this experience!  I enjoyed meeting and interacting with many of the dogs as well. (I have always loved dogs!) And even had the opportunity to pat 2 cats and of course see the gibbon.  So a very wholesome and amazing day.  And the Noah's Ark building  itself is very homely and at 'peace'with the environment. Great work and thanks for giving all these lovely animals a sanctuary.  God continue to bless your work!"- Michelle 

"The day was awesome! Can't wait to visit again as a volunteer to help look after the horses." - Le Ying

"Thank you for the eye opening and deeply moving experience. I found a great sense of joy, peace and calm working with the horses. Thank you for the opportunity to interact with cats and dogs who lit up my heart and soul.  I can't stop beaming."- Nadia

"Today's session is great exposure, especially for new comers. Would love to be more involved to our capabilities."- George & Jessica 

"Enriching experience.  Feel good to interact with many calm dogs."

German Shepherd abandoned by her owner

Sanctuary News

This German Shepherd dog, was straying aimlessly around Johor Jaya.

Fearing for her safety, a good Samaritan brought her to Noah's Ark ABC Clinic two weeks ago for treatment. The sanctuary vet did a physical examination on her and she was infested with fleas and ticks. She also had maggot wounds on many parts of her body.

She had an ulcerated growth on her right jaw that was bleeding badly. 

Today our vet did a surgery on her to removed the lump.

We named her Sheba, when you visit the sanctuary, remember to stop by to say "Hi" to her.

A day with the horses at Noah's Ark

From left: Li Ting, Le Ying and Nadia

Life tends to bring us in straight lines, passing through each period of our lives that we can relive only through our memories. But once in a while, we come full circle to where we started from. It’s been a good 14 years, but here I am again, at Noah’s Ark. A different place, a different time, but the feelings remain the same.

I was just a little kid then, when my Father rented a space to keep his birds in the farm next door on Seletar West Farmway 5.  I used to go there with him on weekends and while he was busy with his birds, I was often next door at Noah’s Ark Lodge. I’d spend long hours there just watching the animals and playing with some of them, and that was when my weekly affair with Noah’s Ark started. Memories are hazy as I was so young then, but I remember one friend I had there very well – a little grey pony named Melody. She was always out in the paddock at the front and was the first one I’d see each time I visited. You can bet how happy I was to see that she’s still around after such a long time!

All these time, I’d known that Noah’s Ark relocated to JB, but I never got to visit as my parents wouldn’t allow me to travel there on my own. As I grew up, those sweet memories of my childhood moved further and further to the back of my mind, and though my love for animals continued, I stopped thinking about Noah’s Ark. It was only when my friend shared the link for a Volunteer’s Day to Noah’s Ark that I finally took notice again.

I was so excited for the trip that I barely slept the night before and was so chatty in the morning on the car ride there (sorry to Joanne, Nadia and Audrey, who had to listen to me talk and talk non-stop!)  It was a little overwhelming when we first walked into the sanctuary, seeing so many dogs I didn’t know, and getting pushed around and stepped on by the larger ones while going up the stairs, but I quickly settled in. And the day proved to be one of the best days I’ve had in a long time!

Of course, I chose to volunteer with the horses and after a quick tour of the property and lunch, it was HORSEY TIME! My first task for the day was to groom and bathe Primus @ Sanuk, the grey pony who likes to roll on everything and he was practically brown on some areas. Brushing all that caked mud off him was no joke and with the weather so scorching hot, I was all ready for a rest by the time I was done. 

But… Nope, not done yet. I still had to give him his bath! A lot of scrubbing and shampooing soon followed and I swear my arms felt like they were going to fall out of their sockets. He wasn’t the most cooperative either, trying to squish me against the wall and neighing very loudly in my ear.

Guess he was cranky about not being able to get to Melody (I’m told they’re a couple). When I was finally done and the brown parts were light beige, I let him free and he cantered all the way to the end of the paddock to look for Melody. I would have liked a little more appreciation on his part, but I guess his girlfriend’s a lot more important than me!

Prisma was next to be showered and with 4 pairs of hands instead of one, it was so much easier! And yes, we all got a free shower as well but it was a welcome change from the crazy heat. The last we bathed was Apache, and boy was he the loveliest ever! He just stood there quietly and let the 4 ladies work on him and at one point, he was enjoying it so much that he even closed his eyes!

It was truly a day where I recharged and rested my soul. The connection we can have with animals is the most wondrous thing in the world and I am glad to be back. I can’t wait to be back again!

Contributed by Soon Le Ying