Friday, April 29, 2011

Funds for Vaccines for the Animals

Anyone walking into the Noah’s Ark Natural Animal Sanctuary knows instantly the animals are happy. You can see their wagging tails. You can hear their happy barks. You can literally see the happy smiles. You can see they are fed, watered, sheltered and happy. They are free from diseases and a life of sickness, cold and misery off the streets.

An enormous amount of love and care is given to ensure that the animals are happy and healthy. Apart from food and water, like any pet kept in your home, the animals in Noah’s Ark receive an adequate amount of medical care. They are given regular vaccinations and immunisations against diseases like heartworm, ringworm, tick fever etc.

When the animals come into the Sanctuary, many are unwell. They are sick and have never received medical care in their lives. Many are also injured. For example, the 130 animals we saved from the floods two years ago all had canine distemper. It is a fatal disease that is airborne. The animals had to be vaccinated, quarantined and the animals in the other enclosures have to be relocated to ensure that the disease is contained. Many of the animals discarded have cancer and infections.

Prices have risen and we need funds for vaccines. The funds collected will go directly towards buying vaccines for the animals. If you are sending a cheque, please write vaccines at the back of the cheque or sms u to let us know.

Picture credited to Corbis

It takes $30 to sponsor vaccines for one animal for one year.


Please help us save them. We thank you on behalf of the animals.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Training Prince

It was in September when we first gathered to start our training sessions. Jazz and Adrian from APAW (http://athleticpawsllywood.shutterfly.com/) had generously offered to offer some guidance some of our volunteers in the aspect of dog training. Our first step was to train our own dogs and vice versa before we could start training and mangaging our other dogs in Noah's Ark. It was also an opportunity for both the dog and owner to forge a stronger bond and learn more about each other.

We were taught the clicker training method which is one of the positive types of training. Every week, we brought yummy food to reward our dogs accordingly. The more rewarding a dog finds a particular reinforcer (in our case, food), the easier the dog was to train. The exercises were mentally challenging for both the dogs ourselves. Moreover, we were constantly reminded by Jazz and Adrian that we needed to reinforce the techniques taught to the dog. Whatever we learnt in class together was to be practiced at home in order to ensure the idea stuck (with both the dogs and the owners).

Initially in the first few weeks, Prince seemed to be more interested in his surroundings than me, his owner. There were times I felt extremely perplexed and frustrated, trying fervently in order to get Prince's attention as he was very easily distracted. Adrian and Jazz constantly reminded me to be patient, as positive reinforcers usually took a longer time to garner results.

After a month and a half, there was a breakthrough where Prince and I completed the required exercises in one clean sweep! At that moment, I was so proud of Prince and myself having come so far. This was however, only the beginning. In the future when the time comes, our skills will be put to the test when we need to train our rescued/fostered dogs, in order to help enforce some basic rules so that they will have a better chance at finding a home.

Personally speaking, both Prince and I benefitted from the training. He's defintely more obedient and less domineering, and I've become more patient in dealing with him. It shows that training does work! Still, I believe there's still alot to be worked out between us as our pairing isn't as solid as Jazz and Shadow's yet! Till we reach that stage, we both need to keep practicing so that our training will not go to waste.

Our Graduation Picture!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Dedicated to people in rescue



written by Jeanne Illische

I wasn’t a pup when I came to your home
I’d been dumped on the road, left to roam.
Don’t remember the people except the pain
They left me do to die in the cold and the rain.

You were driving along the highway, it was late at night
When you saw the faintest glimmer of light
You took a chance and turned around
Got out of the van and knelt to the ground

My quivering body felt the gentlest of hands
I knew I need not make any more demands
In your heart, and your home, there will always room
For those who would face certain doom

You healed my body and you healed my heart
You gave me what I needed, a fresh start
When I cried at night, you were always there
With soft words,a kiss and a hug to share.

When I misbehaved and would cower with guilt
You only showered me love …up to the hilt
You loved and cared for me in sickness and in health
Our love for each other was more precious than wealth.

Even when you were tired and had a bad day
You would always come home to me and say
“I missed you baby, I am glad to be back.”
Then you gave me a kiss, a hug to share.

We’d have a nice dinner,then go and out to play
There was so much love I wanted to stay.
But my eyes,they faded and my heart grew weak
As my time grew closer you could not speak.

You held me tight, tears flowing from your eyes
We both had to say our sad good byes
The release from pain we knew must end
No more time on this Earth would we spend
Running in the fields, playing ball
Sitting quietly together at the end of it all.

But our time together is not through
Because I’ll be there waiting for you
At the edge of the Rainbow Bridge I’ll stand
Until I once again see those gentle hands.

I’ll run to you with tail held high
We will never again have to say good bye
My love at death, it does not end
Because you are, indeed, dog’s best friend.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Johor Bahru Cat Rescue

Mak Ja is a frail elderly lady who has spent many years helping unwanted, maimed and hungry cats and kittens in her neighbourhood in Johor Bahru.

In March 2007, Raymund and the Noah’s Ark team heard about Mak Ja and her rescue efforts. Upon visiting her small house, it became clear that she and her animals needed urgent help.

Cramped together in the dimly lit house were a large number of stacked cages of varying shapes and sizes housing over 65 cats and kittens. Amongst the cages were many rats and cockroaches scurrying about in an endless search for food.

With little money to adequately feed or provide medical care for all these animals that she had rescued from the streets, Mak Ja was in a desperate situation. The only help she was received was from one kind neighbour who helped keep the cages clean. Mak Ja was fighting a losing battle. The neighbours complained about the racket of nightly cat calling, the stench, the rats and the sheer numbers of cats on her property.

Having no resources to pay for medical care and sterilisation, many of the cats and kittens needed medical aid and a number of females were heavily pregnant or had very recently given birth.

Raymund patiently persuaded Mak Ja to accept the help and support of Noah’s Ark. That same evening, a handful of kittens requiring urgent medical attention were taken back to Noah’s Ark for treatment. In the days that followed, the Noah’s Ark team transported all the cats and kittens back to Noah’s Ark for check-ups, medical treatment and sterilisation. The total number of animals taken back to Noah’s Ark was 32 cats, 7 heavily pregnant cats, 26 kittens and 1 emaciated puppy.

A large number of the cats remain in the care of Noah’s Ark to live out their lives within the sanctuary in a tranquil and peaceful environment. Many of the kittens have high chances of being rehomed. A small handful of cats returned to live with Mak Ja in her garden once they were sterilized and vaccinated.

The Noah’s Ark team also helped Mak Ja clean up her premises and reduce the rat and cockroach population.

We do not doubt that Mak Ja will continue to walk the streets of her neighbourhood to look for unwanted animals and take them home to care for them. This time though, she does it knowing that she has the support of a dedicated animal welfare team who will work with her to treat and sterilise animals she has rescued. The Noah’s Ark team will also continue with regular visitations to counsel Mak Ja and to help her control the numbers of animals she is rescuing and caring for on her premises.



It is a well known fact that the stray population in Malaysia is huge and out of control. The only way forward is to reduce the numbers by sterilizing them. Through working with, supporting and educating animal-loving members of the community like Mak Ja, the goal of stray free communities and eventually a stray free nation can slowly but surely be reached.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

The Virtue of Older Dogs

We are often called upon to rescue older dogs, and many a time we find ourselves with a fair number of “Senior Citizens”. Many people tell us they are not interested in them because they are too old. It is not surprising that shelters consider these animals virtually unadoptable if they are over five years old. We find these attitudes senseless and unacceptable. There are many virtues in older dogs. Having been through a fair bit, they are typically calm, gentle and easy-going.

Many older dogs have at least half of their lives ahead of them if they receive proper care. These can be very special, loving and productive years, if human companions wish to make them so. We have been privileged to have cared and loved so many of them although others deemed them invalid.

It is apparent most people want puppies and puppies are easy to adopt. In many cases, people do not realize what they are getting into when they get a puppy. When they realise how much work and attention a puppy requires, many wish they had adopted an older dog that isn’t as energetic and comparatively easy to care for.

If you could adopt one of them, you would be giving an older dog a second chance at the life he or she deserves. Please remember they are in need of homes through no fault of their own. It is certainly not their fault that they have gotten older. It happens to all of us. You may be surprised how little age matters when you see some of these great dogs.

In fact, if we didn’t tell you how old some of them are, you would probably have a hard time guessing. These dogs are the ones who really need special people to come forward.

If you are financially stable and ready to adopt a dog, please give these older dogs a second chance, a place in your heart and home.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Badger is sponsored!

I first visited Noah's Ark five years ago when I first started getting acquainted with dogs. Being a Noah's Ark virgin, I must admit being overwhelmed by the sheer number of dogs in the beautiful gardens.

During my next visits, I fell in love with a tri-coloured sweetie, Badger, who would go around in the most calm and dignified manner for pats. I would have liked to adopt him, however, I had a green-eyed dog at home, so I opted for sponsorship.

I hope this encourages more people to adopt/sponsor the animals!

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Join Us in Wishbone's Tag.Like.Comment.Share

Join Us in Wishbone's
Tag . Like . Comment . Share
For a Mighty Good Cause
To Help The Homeless Dogs & Cats!
----- 27 Mar'11 - 27 Jun'11 -----

Wishbone believes in creating wish-granting healthy meals that promises the tastiest in an unforgettably fun way and we believe that all dogs and cats deserve premium gourmet meals that are filled with love, even the abandoned homeless dogs & cats. That is why we need your help to grant their wishes.

How you can help? Simply..

1. Take a photo with our Wishbone Mascot, T-Bone
Take a photo with Wishbone's Mascot, T-Bone

2. Tag yourself on the photo that will be posted onto our Wishbone's Fan Page

3. 'Like' the Photo

4. Write a comment

5. Share with your friends

And Wishbone will donate $2 worth of Wishbone Pet Foods to Noah's Ark CARES on your behalf!

Help us reach our goals in getting 1,000 tag+like+comment+share and do your part to grant the wishes of the homeless dogs and cats with ♥!

T-bone will be making his appearance islandwide.
Check out the locations at Wishbone's Facebook Fanpage* Now!
*Search for "Wishbone Pet Foods" on Facebook or click HERE.

P.S. Wishbone pet foods samples will be given out while T-bone makes his paw prints islandwide. Follow us on Facebook to catch where he is going!

Organized by Wishbone Pet Foods, Receiving Partner Noah's Ark CARES
__________________________________________________

Wishbone Facebook Logo

Feed Responsibly with the Great Taste and Natural Goodness of Wishbone!

Do you know that by choosing to feed Wishbone's range of natural pet foods, you too are pledging yourself as a responsible pet owner! This is because unlike many commercial pet foods loaded with slaughterhouse offal and grains, hormones, artificial preservatives and flavours that contribute to common pet skin and gastrointestinal conditions, Wishbone pet foods are free from these harmful ingredients.

Wishbone's Australian-made natural recipes will help you promote long-term good health, reduce pet allergies and also allow you to feed less with our high quality ingredients. Live the difference with Wishbone's natural pet foods today.

Wishbone, the Taste Pets Wish for!
Wishbone Products
Experience Wishbone's complete range of natural pet foods at
www.wishbonepet.com

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