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

What are the right channels to surrender a pet?

Numerous cats and dogs are unceremoniously and illegally abandoned by owners who view their pets are disposable commodities once their allure wears off. 

Owners who cite one reason or another often want to get rid of their pet but do not know the proper channels of surrendering of their pets.

The reality is that due to their owner’s hasty decisions, they are starting a ‘snowball’ effect which subjects their pets to dire consequences of letting them fend on their own and away from their normal routine. Their behaviors might be altered due to the traumatic experiences they face such as being more wary of humans. Their overall health will worsen due to prolong exposure to the harsh environment and they may even die in the end. 

A mongrel dumped with a huge neck wound filled
with maggots and he was too frightened
to be caught for medical attention.

A sorry sight where abandoned animals suffer 

the consequences of their owner’s actions. 

Their wounds take months to heal and complications 

could arise if left untreated such as deadly infections.

Thus most pets are in bad conditions by the time kind-hearted members of the public or animal welfare groups (AWGs) render their assistance to take them off their streets. Mr Raymund Wee, Founder of Noah’s Ark Natural Animal Sanctuary (NANAS) said: “It is more humane to surrender it first and properly to shelters or AWGs.”  Adding on he said: “Sometimes, the animals come to us in conditions where euthanasia is needed as their quality of life has been greatly compromised.”

Some of the challenges that Raymund encounter in cases of irresponsible abandonment are that these animals are too wary of humans and great efforts are needed to catch them to bring them in for immediate treatment. At times, these animals are abandoned outside the sanctuary. Raymund questions, if these people can transport their pets to the sanctuary, why can’t they surrender them properly to us? 

Raymund also shared two videos regarding animal shelters and euthanasia.

 “Kiss the Animals Goodbye” 

“The Truth about Euthanasia”

These animals were euthanized in a humane way as there were too many animals being abandoned or surrendered by their owners. It is a tough decision to euthanize these animals but the fault lies with humans who are not responsible enough to sterilize them. Education in enforcing the neutering of pets is important to prevent them from having more litters which will add to the increase of the stray population when they become unwanted.

Animals that are abandoned come in with wounds 

that are serious due to accidents or abuse sustained 

while they were homeless.  

It is always a tough decision to put them down 

as they are in pain from their injuries.

With the stray population increasing in numbers, the local town councils are forced to round up these strays to be culled due to complaints by members of the public.  It is a sad reality that begins with the owner’s mindset of not doing anything to help the situation. Noah's Ark strive to make people aware of the right channels in surrendering of pets so that more innocent lives can be spared.

Written by Darren Chan