Update - Berry the little monkey

Supporters and friends have written in asking about Berry and we are indeed touched by the care and concern for our unique new resident. We do have an update – but it is with a heavy heart that we have to inform Berry had to have his other leg amputated as well. Unfortunately, Berry developed a viral infection on his remaining leg, and left with no choice, we had to do so in order to save him.


At this point of time, we are certain many will ask, why not put poor Berry down and end his suffering? A legless monkey? We were faced with a tough decision, but our utmost priority was – will Barry still have a quality life if we choose to keep him? To take a practical approach apart from the monetary issues always plaguing animal rescue work, rescuers need to be clear-headed enough at that very moment to analyze the situation from all angles, to determine whether the animal will be able to cope with his disability, or are they just prolonging his life for selfish reasons? On top of all these considerations, if we eventually choose to keep him, we will have to be responsible for him for the rest of his life and take charge to provide him with the best that we can.


Those who have fostered animals before do know it is not easy letting go of them even if the animal has only been with you for a short while. Emotions often overrule the head over logical thinking – and this is only human nature. I have personally fostered a disabled cat before, and though there were more people advising me to put her down rather than to keep her, I went against all odds to take care of her and the feline baby was eventually adopted. She's one of the lucky few to find a home as there are so many more strays out there.


Berry is a primate and they are generally lively, clever and very successful at adapting to different environmental opportunities. He has strong hands that can grasp well and as such, Raymund has customized his new cage with more bars for him to swing around happily.


Although Berry has lost his two lower limbs, he is still mobile and coping well and not just seated in a corner wasting away. He is slowly learning to adapt and move around with his two hands. Berry's favourite treats are hibiscus flowers, grapes, longans, bananas and vegetables (so bring some when you visit!). Alike a child, Berry actually loves the Wang Wang milk biscuit but as it is processed food we are careful not to let him have too much of it. Do remember to pop by Berry's cage to say hello when you come to visit!


From this whole experience, we can see for ourselves how animals, being resilient creatures, make up for their disability in amazing ways we never thought possible. Humans do have lots to learn from them, especially their unyielding and never-give-up attitude. ☺

** Pictures courtesy of runwitme.blogspot.com

First visit to NANAS

2nd October 2010 was my first visit to NANAS. Having read about NANAS in the papers many years ago, their selfless work as well as refreshing concept of an animal sanctuary left a lasting impression on me. Hence, I was really excited when I finally got the chance to visit NANAS on one of the public tours.

The visitors making their way into NANAS

When I first entered NANAS and saw the vast space that the animals call their home, I could just imagine hundreds of dogs, running to their hearts’ content without a care in the world. This was not far from the truth as I came to discover later. The dogs were lying around, running, snoozing, sniffing and doing their own thing. Seeing how contented the dogs looked, I really began to appreciate the work NANAS is doing. Just looking at how happy the dogs were really made my day.

Lazing around on a fine Saturday afternoon

I got to pat and play around with a couple of dogs; all of them looked really pleased to be having visitors and warmed up to us really quickly. I was wondering before the trip how friendly and accepting would the animals be to visitors, it did not take long for them to prove my doubts wrong.

Dogs checking out their visitors

Enjoying a good pat

In the rabbit enclosure

Rabbits lazing around

I joined the public tour expecting a fun time with the animals and I got more than I expected. At NANAS, one is able to see the bond humans and animals can have. The way the dogs behaved towards the volunteers and full time staff was one out of love and trust. One could also see the genuine care and love that the volunteers and staff at NANAS have for the animals as well. The way both visitors and the animals warmed up to each other is also testament to the bond between humans and animals.

Also, I came to have an enormous respect for founder Mr Wee as well as all the volunteers and staff of NANAS. Taking care and housing these animals is definitely no easy task, especially since it is an uphill battle that they are facing. To be giving their time and resources for the sake of these animals is something that really deserves our respect and support. Do consider volunteering or/and donating to their cause as your contribution would go a long way in maintaining this sanctuary that the animals call their home.


If you are an animal lover, NANAS is definitely a place that you should visit. Come and see for yourself how the animals live and of course, play with them. NANAS is not only a ‘sanctuary’ for the animals, it is one for everyone as well. A visit to NANAS is a really good break from hectic city life in Singapore. I found myself reluctant to leave when the tour was concluding. I will definitely be looking out for the next public tour!

Good job NANAS, staff and volunteers!

**Article and pictures contributed by Samuel Lee.

Private tour 26 Feb 2011

Dear Friends of Noah's Ark,

Gong Xi Fa Cai to all of you! Here's wishing you a prosperous rabbit year ahead!

Noah's Ark is pleased to announce that due to popular request, we have started a series of private tour days for visitors. Before you get confused, private tour date is for when visitors hire their own minivans or self drive into the sanctuary. On the other hand, public tour dates are done 3-4 times a year and we will hire tour coaches on that occasion. Start marking your calendar for a series of private tours to Noah's Ark! The next visit will be on:

26 February 2011, Saturday, 2.30-5.30pm

Write to us at noahsarkcares@gmail.com if you are interested to visit the sanctuary on this day with your own transport (either via hiring your own mini van or personal vehicle). Once we reach our maximum capacity, we regret that you will have to join us on the next time. There will also be a small donation of S$30 per person, where 100% of the proceeds will go into running of the wonderful sanctuary you are about to visit!

To register, please provide details:

Name:
Handphone number:
Email:

No. of pax you are registering for:

Amount paid:

Reference numbers: Cheque number/ibank transfer number

Modes of payment:

1. Cheque. Please issue your cheque to "Noah's Ark CARES" and send it to 42 Cairnhill Road, #02-01, S (229661). Please write on the back of the cheque "February 2011 Tour".

2. Alternatively you can do an ATM transfer or Internet Banking to our any of our 2 Bank accounts.

For transfer to OCBC BANK:

Bank: OCBC Bank (OCBCSGSG)
Acct No: 501-827745-001
Acct Name: Noah's Ark Companion Animal Rescue & Edn Society
Branch: OCBC Head Office
Branch Code: 501
Bank Code: 7339

For transfer to DBS BANK:

Bank: DBS
Account type: DBS CURRENT
Acct number: 012-900823-0
Acct name: Noah's Ark CARES
Branch Code: 012
Bank Code: 7171

** After the successful TT, kindly email us the following details for our accounting purposes:

Name:
Bank:
Date:
Ref:
Amount:

PLEASE NOTE:
Incomplete details will NOT BE ENTERTAINED. Do take the extra 5mins to double check ALL DETAILS here have been filled up.

**Please note the following terms & conditions:

1) There will be no refund if you do not show up on that day. The money will be taken as a donation to the animals of Noah's Ark. Thank you.
2) Children below 5 years old are not advised to visit unless they have absolutely no fear of being surrounded by many dogs, some of which are quite large. Parents/Guardians will have to be responsible for their children/ward at the sanctuary.

We look forward to seeing you soon at Noah's Ark! What are you waiting for? Hurry and book with us to avoid disappointment! :) See you there!

I can't wait to greet all of you!



I will be on the lookout for you!

What do you do when you find a dog?

Dog lovers live in dread of seeing and finding another lost or abandoned dog. Another dog on the streets with pleading eyes, ribs showing, hiding from you in fear yet hungry and needing help. From the Noah’s Ark volunteers who sacrifice sleep to rescue dogs, here are some tips on what you can do to help:

1. Be ready to rescue. If you know in your heart that you're a rescuer, why not equip yourself to do the best possible job? Preferably you would have had observed the dog roaming around a localised area for period of time.

Here are some things you will need:
- Phone numbers of local shelter and rescue and a 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic
- Cat / dog carrier or cardboard box; collars and strong leashes for dogs; heavy blanket; water bowls and water; strong-smelling foods, such as canned tuna or dried liver; and an animal first-aid kit.

2. Safety First – Yours and the Animal. A strange, frightened and possibly sick or injured animal can behave unpredictably. Any movement from you may cause the animal to run, hide or attack.

3. Restrain the animal. Surround the area so that it cannot disappear or hide. If on the road, divert traffic around him if he appears to be injured and is still on the road.

4. Be calm and gentle. Speak calmly to reassure the animal. Make sure she can see you at all times as you approach. Use food to attract the animal’s attention. If necessary, do this over a period of time.






Some things to think through

• Where will you take the dog? Can you keep the dog? Call a local animal rescue with a no-kill policy and ask for assistance on where the animal can be kept and what is needed.

• Stay hopeful - don't assume you automatically have a stray. Give the animal and the owner a chance. It could be a pet that has been lost for a while and the owner may still be looking for it.

• Be realistic. Once you have taken the initiative, time and trouble to rescue an animal, it does not mean that a home, temporary or permanent can be found for it immediately. The animal rescue would also need help with expenses for the animal if it is injured.

• Show compassion. If you're unsure if you should help an animal you see on the streets, here are two questions: What if you got lost and could not ask for help? What if it was your pet?


Steps you need to take to help the pet find its owner.
• Take the dog / cat to the vet and ask them to scan to see if it has a microchip. This is a free service.

• If it has a microchip, the vet will contact the company where the microchip originates from and the owner will soon be reunited with his / her dog

• Sometimes the dog / cat has a microchip but its owners did not register their contact details with PetCall http://www.petcall.org/ This would mean that the owners cannot be traced, despite the dog / cat having a microchip. So please ensure you register your contact details with http://www.petcall.org/

• If it does not have a microchip nor a name tag, then these are the steps you have to take;

1. Inform SPCA – tell them where and when you found the dog / cat and give them a detailed description of the animal

2. Inform AVA

3. Place an advertisement in the Straits Times & Chinese papers – you are entitled to TWO FREE advertisements. Your advertisement should be clear and specific – where was the dog / cat found, when, description (colour, male / female), wearing a collar etc

4. Take a picture of the dog / cat and put up posters around the vicinity where it was found. Hopefully its owners will see the poster and contact you.

Hopefully after having done all this, the owner can be traced and the dog / cat will be reunited with them.

If after two weeks, no one comes forth to claim the dog / cat, then perhaps it was abandoned. Then the onus would be on you to help the dog find a new home, where it will be well loved and cared for, and hopefully not be abandoned again.

Sisterly Love - Chu Chu & Mei Mei

Remember Mei Mei? See http://noahsarkcares.blogspot.com/2008/07/mei-mei-lovely-lady.html for a quick refresher.

Chu Chu and Mei Mei came from different backgrounds. One was raised as a puppy in a good home. The other was a hungry stray rescued from Tuas Industrial Area. After Mei Mei came into Chu Chu's life, there was no more loneliness. They play, eat and sleep together and are the best of friends. They even go to Sentosa for swims - although one swims and the other doesnt. Nevertheless, they are inseparable. Everyday in their life, is constantly filled with fun, love and happiness. What more could a dog ask for? :D



*Video and writeup contributed by Suan Eng.