An Impactful News Event: Animal Welfare in Singapore

The news event that has impacted me would be "Amendments to animal welfare Bill detailed", a recent news report that was covered by Channel News Asia, and many other news channels. 

As an animal welfare volunteer and caregiver, I have a passion for the welfare of animals. It has always been out of my own compassion and conscience that I have tried to help animals that have crossed paths with me, and to help them without reservation is to lead by example.

I have actively lobbied for changes to be made to the private bill concerning animal welfare legislation through means such as writing my thoughts to the various news forums. It is a first step in the right direction to finally see that the government is increasing the penalties for cases of animal cruelty and neglect. This newly tabled legislation will send a strong signal to pet owners to practice responsible care for their pets and punish offenders with stiffer penalties.

Animals that do not have a home are often the target of animal abusers as these people do not seem to have the ability to tolerate and try to co-exist with these animals. This social issue has made me wonder whether society has lost the ability to love, respect and be open. My argument would be that if the person does not love animals, they do not need to hurt them but to just leave them alone. Through this legislation, I hope that these abusers could be harshly dealt with for harming these innocent and helpless animals. The question being raised by me is that, “If society cannot even respect ,and love these sentient beings, how can we learn to love and accept one another?”

Moreover, the authorities need to work together with the various animal welfare groups to come up with humane methods to decrease the stray population through sterilisation and education outreach to help society understand the concept of tolerating and respecting these animals. These animals do not ask for anything out of the ordinary, they only require the basic needs to survive which is food, water and love. Looking at the number of animal cruelty, and abandonment cases pains me because it is a reflection of society, and of how people are unable to be compassionate to provide for these animals the care that they deserve with sincerity. 

Also, animals are being exploited through unethical breeding such as through puppy mills and for entertainment purposes that their health is being compromised. I have always inform people who want to get a pet to adopt and not to buy from pet shops as many animals in shelters are looking for homes and they make great pets. Most of the animals in pet shops are the subject of breeding and people exploit these animals for the sake of monetary gains by in-breeding which will affect the animals and their off-springs. Recently, the dolphins in Underwater World Singapore have skin cancer and their health is neglected grossly as the organization is too focused on the entertainment factor that they fail to provide for them. The public need to realise that animal welfare is looking at the bigger picture of weighing the consequences of our actions and finding ways to make the lives of these animals better and not to destroy their lives any further.  

Also people need to understand that if we do not help these animals, who will? It is disappointing that society is not open to speak up for animal rights and to actively show others that the welfare of these animals is of great importance. However, these challenges have enabled me to carry on fighting for animal rights and to prove people that they can co-exist with animals.

“I am in favor of animal rights, as well as human rights, which is the way of the whole human being.” - Abraham Lincoln  

The stark reality is that people need to open their hearts to accept these animals. These steps will lead to a society that has the heart, and mindset for positive changes to be implemented in the area of animal welfare. Mahatma Gandhi once said that you can gauge a country by how well it treats its animals, this quote shows that Singapore still has a long way to go in realizing the importance of animal welfare and positive change that will benefit the animals. 

By Darren Chan

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

Farewell my friend...

Sir Whatmore

5 May 1998 to 9 May 2015

        To my owner,

When I won races and brought you glory, 

you cheered and praised me. My owner.

When I could no longer race and had to retire, 

you cast me aside and abandoned me. My owner.

Alas, when I was into the twilight and breathed my last, 

you were unaware as you have forgotten me. My owner.

       Your once faithful race horse,

       WhatMore.

Whatmore (left) with Sky Governor running with dogs.

Photo credits: Anne Young

Boomerlake and Whatmore (both were ex race horses) -
RIP my dear friends.

Photo credits: Anne Young

"Ask not how much your race horse won for you but 

ask how little had you done in return" - Author Unknown

Thank you Anne for capturing these photos of Whatmore for us to remember.

A Place where Art, Colours and Animals Move as One

Noah’s Ark Natural Animal Sanctuary (NANAS) is situated in Johor Bahru, Malaysia which is a 30 minutes drive from the Singapore customs. For me it was a great start of a fun day despite some delays and we had a good yet simple vegetarian meal to kick-start the day. After lunch, we started to proceed to the sanctuary. I went with an open mind, not knowing what to expect as it would mark my first visit to the sanctuary.

I have lived in Hong Kong for most of my life and I am so use to the hustle and bustle of the city. My only experience with animals was when I was 8 years old which was a trip to the Hong Kong Zoo with my parents. 

One day before the sanctuary’s visit, I had attended Rosina’s Animal Communication Workshop which made me rediscover my love for art and the beauty of colours. I had stopped doing art since I was young, but through the workshop I am able to rekindle my passion to draw, write and even learn to communicate with animals with the guidance of Rosina.

Prior to visiting Noah's Ark, I was apprehensive due to knowing that there would be many animals running around within the sanctuary’s grounds and that I was bitten by a dog when I was young which intensified my fears and phobia. Rosina gave me some advice to calm my fears which was not to make eye contact with the dogs when I entered and to go in with a positive mindset. 

However, when I entered the sanctuary, I was greeted by the barking of the dogs but I was overcome with a sense of peace and serenity, instead of fear. The animals were all well maintained, clean and love by the other animals and workers at the sanctuary. The main lodge where Raymund Wee, the founder of NANAS lived ignited the artist in me. It had paintings and figurines of animals and religious artefacts that was similar to that of a European-Chinese art museum. 

I was filled with joy and happiness to see nature and animals co-existing together as I begun a tour of the sanctuary with Rosina and the group. I took many photographs for keepsake and I was tasked by Rosina to try and communicate with the animals. Animal communication is similar to that of talking and meeting a new friend and I had only mutual respect and confidence in communicating with the sanctuary’s many animals. Also, I had the opportunity to interact with the sanctuary animals from horses, snakes, dogs and cats.

Moreover, I was overcome with a wave of emotions when I found out the identity of my guided animal. He is Gerry the wild boar and he is in need of a bigger enclosure to roam around. I did a drawing of him and that it dawn on me that he is upset due to the limited space. It is my duty to support him to contribute funds to build for him a bigger enclosure where he can roam freely.

After two hours of excitement and taking in the sights of the sanctuary, I retired to the lodge for a short nap as I was exhausted emotionally. The lodge gave me feelings of peace and that it was a moment in time where nobody would judge, question and remind me of my duties as a person. I felt truly blessed to be in the company of such tranquillity with the surroundings and the animals.

Soon, it was 5 p.m. which marked the end of the tour. In my heart, I did not want to leave and wanted to stay on. But knowing the amount of effort and energy needed to maintain the place, I was not ready for that yet. From this trip, I took away a great experience in my life which helped me overcome my fears and to know that life is indeed beautiful. I hope that many people would get a chance visit the sanctuary to observe the unique blend of art, colours and animals in one place. Also, do continue to support the various fundraising projects for the animals and the sanctuary to continue their daily operations and to know that you have made a difference in their lives by helping in one way or another.

A group photo with my new friends from Singapore.

By: Yeshma Sawlani (Hong Kong)  

The Restoration of Hope & Care to a Gentle Giant

By Ang Ai Khim

Noah’s Ark Natural Animal Sanctuary (NANAS) has been attending to cases of animals being abandoned or neglected for many years and through the care and concern, the animals are shown again the beautiful ability to live their life to the fullest which is within the wide open spaces that the sanctuary provides them.

I remembered that it was 20 January 2015 at about 7 a.m. when I first chanced upon the posting of Rocky on Noah’s Ark CARES Facebook page. This is definitely not the typical story of a girl-meets-boy kind of story; it is more of a girl-meets-dog kind of attraction. This account depicts the restoration of Hope and a genuine acceptance that does not consider physical appearances.

As a Christian, the biblical definition of Hope is "confident expectation". The bible goes on to further describe Hope as a firm assurance regarding things that are unclear and unknown (Romans 8:24-25; Hebrews 11:1, 7). Also, Hope is a fundamental component of the life of the righteous (Proverbs 23:18). In this case, the righteous one is none other than Rocky, a Neopolitan Mastiff who is approximately 10 years old.  A Neopolitan Mastiff is a dog that is known for its traits to be a watchful guard dog but its characteristics is of a gentle affectionate giant that just wants to lounge around to pass time. 

Cruelly abandoned by this owner for being too old and smelly, Rocky has medical issues as well - several lumps on his body that require surgical removal and an aural haematoma. An aural haematoma occurs from an irritation to the ear which causes excessive scratching which may rupture the blood vessel in the ear leading to a deformed ear cartilage.

Upon physical examination by a volunteer veterinary surgeon at Noah’s Ark Animal Birth Control (ABC) Clinic, Rocky was deemed fit to undergo surgery to remove the lumps and to drain the swelling in his ear flap. The surgeries were successful which helped to alleviate his physical discomfort, but deep down Rocky was filled with emptiness and unhappiness from his ordeal.

When I first met Rocky in person on 24 January after his surgeries, he was not interested in anything and anyone. He spent most of his time curled up at a corner of Noah's Ark's main entrance, almost like a well - blended wallpaper to its surroundings which made him unnoticeable. It occurred to me that Rocky had separation anxiety which was common in human beings when someone that they are attached to- leaves suddenly. Animals do have feelings and also experience similar bouts of loneliness and grief due to a change of the situation. Pessimism seems to hang over Rocky like a storm cloud and I felt his emotional pain which needed a healing approach known as Tender Loving Care (TLC).

  

The expression of caring in the clinical context is close observation, precise listening and responsive questioning, in concert with committed engagement and actions directly addressing the patient's problem, stripped of any assumptions about what the patient might or might not be experiencing. Rather, it boils down to genuine and sincere in the compassionate act of caring. After observing his body language, I moved into Rocky's intimate space uninvited to try and get to know him better personally. Naturally, he avoided any interaction with me by either moving away or ignoring my advances. He was also uninterested in treats which showed his low spirit. However, I kept talking to him and also stroked his head and ear gently from time to time. I kept encouraging him to eat more and to put on weight. He turned to me looking surprised whenever I spoke these words of gentle encouragement, "Rocky, I see you. I care. Eat more. Put on weight".

Two weeks passed with a blink of an eye, I had the opportunity to meet Rocky once again on 7 February. During this visit, I fed Rocky with some boiled chicken meat as treats and took him for a walk around the lush surroundings of the sanctuary. It is without a doubt that he is living in such a lovely and tranquil place; hence it is a real pity not for him to witness the beauty of the sanctuary with his own eyes. As we walk along, Rocky's gloomy face cracked up into a smile and I cannot help it but smile too at this development. His eyes slowly lit up and he increasingly got more cheerful with each gentle breeze brushing across his face. Rocky is starting to relax and is learning to enjoy his surroundings with each moment.

After the walk, Raymund Wee, founder of Noah's Ark told me, “Rocky has gained 3 kg since his first arrival at the sanctuary and he is more responsive to people now.” Most importantly, he has regained his will to live. I was delighted at this great news and new development. Deep down, I am filled with gratitude and peace that Rocky has finally settled down comfortably and is regaining his appetite. He can certainly be confident in receiving the best care at the sanctuary and live his life to the fullest!

In my opinion, Rocky's story serves as a timely reminder that good welfare is not simply the absence of negative experiences, but rather is primarily the presence of positive experiences, such as happiness, affection and companionship. This is an aspect of transformation that an animal goes through in finding both love and hope again in the lowest of circumstances.

I felt that all aspects of an animal's needs, including physical, psychological, and social needs, should be taken into account and seen as a whole when caring for an animal for the entire natural duration of its life time on earth. Afterall, everyone needs to be understood and cared for, no matter their condition. Love can be a double-edged sword as it might hurt at times, but with respect for all living creatures on earth, the positive experiences do outweigh the negative experiences. To be able to help an animal at a 100 percent level, it is important to break down any emotional or psychological barriers within ourselves that exist to reach out to those that really deserve the help and attention.