About ‘Pets Villa’

Pets Villa sits on an area of about half the size of a football field, approximately  4,000 square metres.  It will house a large open cattery for 600 to 800 cats with built-in units opening into the open area for cats that need to retreat into a private space. A kennel for about 150 dogs with a decent sized dog run is also planned for. We will also have an Office as well as a Hall for fund-raising events.

Cost 

The rent of  80 enclosed units, an office, a hall and surrounding open space is $12,000 per month.  The cost of a full time caretaker, utilities and food is estimated to cost about  $8,000 to  $10,000 per month.  Hence, our monthly operating cost is in the region of  $20,000.  This cost will be covered by boarding fees, donations, and funds raised.  For this reason alone, ALL cannot embark on what is closed to its heart, which is providing free or subsidized boarding.

Our fees will be kept to the minimum of  $1 per cat per day and $3.50 per dog per day for the rescued strays.  This is in-line with the AVA’s (Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority) stipulation that we operate a low-cost boarding facility and not a shelter for which a permit will not be issued. 

Every rescued animal thus, will have an “owner” who will ultimately be responsible for it.  This is to prevent the dumping or abandoning of animals at Pets Villa, which will certainly cause the society to collapse under financial strain.

General 

For owners who cannot afford the boarding fees, ALL intends to form a network of  ‘fosters’ or sponsors to help defray the cost.  Many of these owners are registered feeders operating from their housing estates.  Sadly, the sterilization scheme (SCRS) has been discontinued and many cats have been impounded or are at risk of being caught.  ALL is in the midst of drawing up a petition to propose a modified version of the previous scheme.  We will not rest till the safety of the sterilised stray cats can be given some guarantee in public places.

Also, at the present moment, there are a number of cats in the AVA pound awaiting a home with us.  These are the sterilized surviving strays that have been rounded up daily from various estates.  We desperately need sponsors also to help save these cats for $30 a month each.  Sponsors can also choose to contribute varying sums by Giro ( $2/ $5/ $10 or X-dollars comfortable with you) per month to upkeep the “pets” at Pets Villa.

As space at Pets Villa is limited, priority will be given to the cats and dogs of volunteers and those facing eviction.  If you fall into this category, please contact us, as you will need to sterilise, microchip and vaccinate your cats and dogs one month before admission to Pets Villa.  As you already know, this is to prevent unwanted pregnancies or unwelcomed diseases that culminate in suffering and even death!.

As we aim to start operation sometime in February 2004 soon after the T.O.P. is obtained, our need for volunteers has become more urgent.  As we can afford only one full-time staff, a network of dedicated volunteers is needed in the everyday cleaning and upkeep of the place, bathing and de-ticking of the dogs amongst a host of other chores.

The Hall will be used for our fund-raising events and the sale of charity or jumble sale items.  Part of it will be rented out to vendors dealing in pet related products on an ad-hoc basis.

To help defray the cost of feeding so many animals, we will be contacting the pet food suppliers to place a consignment of our preferred pet food.  Animal lovers and visitors to Pets Villa may purchase and donate the food to the animals.  A similar programme will be put in place for the purchase of cat litter and litter trays.  The donation of Frontline products to keep our animals free of fleas and ticks is also sorely needed.

Finally, all the “pets” boarding with us will be placed for adoption so that another stray can be saved.  If you or someone you know is thinking of getting a pet, pick one from Pets Villa instead.  By doing so, you are giving a stray a second chance at life, making a strong statement against the indiscriminate breeding of animals, and saving yourself some money as well!

The daily culling of stray animals, though not as intensified, warranted the urgent and crucial need to start this ‘Pets Villa’.   All dogs and cats will, however, be confined in their already constructed enclosed units till we raise the sum of $100K to erect perimeter structures and fencing to effectively separate the cats from the dogs in the open areas, as well as to heighten the existing fencing within the cattery to prevent the cats from climbing out.

We undertake to make a difference for the animals by constructing this ‘open concept’  animal  home where they will not be ‘incarcerated’ in kennels or in cages for the rest of their natural lives, thus simulating closely their natural habitat.

Being born free, let them live freely… to run, play and roam freely and frolic in the sun without any threats.  We believe this is what you would also want for the animals.

Finally, today with all your support and blessings, though with numerous hurdles and impediments, we are able to realize all our dreams together. Give them the happiness they deserve and this, only animal lovers like you can truly appreciate.

Appeal

Will you give a helping hand to complete this final stage of  Pets Villa?

We cannot compromise on the safety of the animals and until we complete the work needed to be done at Pets Villa, we cannot open its doors to the rescued cats and dogs.

As stated earlier, the culling continues on a daily basis.  With each passing day, more and more rescued sterilized cats are added to the waiting list.  How long will AVA keep them alive as the volunteers or owners are not allowed to return them to the environment or re-home them in their HDB flats.

How much longer do these animals, given a second chance in life, have to wait to have a place to call “home”?  We, animal lovers, hold the answer in our hands.

$100K is all it takes now to complete Pets Villa.  A far cry from the initial $2.5M for the parcel of vacant land at Pasir Ris and $300K for the plot of vacant land at Seletar.

On behalf of these desperate animals, we appeal for any monetary contribution from ALL Members and Friends of Animals urgently needed to expedite the construction of the final stages of Pets Villa.

Please call 6755-1424 with your pledge or email [email protected] or [email protected].   You may wish to send your crossed cheque to Animal Lovers League, Yishun Central P O Box 163, Singapore 917606.  Please remember to write your name, address, tel no. & email address and indicate “Pets Villa” on the back of the cheque.

We also welcome constructive ideas and more positive participation from animal lovers and members.

There are many, many animal lovers in Singapore who, because of  certain constraints, are unable to keep pets in their homes.  To these people, we say, “this is the time to come forward to help foster a pet dear to you.  An animal you can call your own and come at your leisure to visit, play and spend quality time with it without being bogged down with the everyday routine of taking and looking after your pet for which you probably have little time”.

Wishing one and all a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Cathy Strong

President

Animal Lovers League