Since June 2014, ASD together with ACRES, had been in discussions with authorities about managing the stray population on Jurong Island using a humane Trap-Neuter-Release strategy.
A task force comprising four animal welfare groups (AWGs) – Animal Concerns Research and Education Society, Action for Singapore Dogs, Noah’s Ark CARES and Save Our Street Dogs – was set up.
The idea of the Trap-Neuter-Release initiative is to trap, sterilize and then release the strays to their natural habitat. These dogs are now unable to breed but can still continue to defend their boundaries and resources, while finally reducing in numbers due to natural attrition.
A veterinary facility was built so that sterilization procedures could be more efficiently and effectively carried out on the island. It is estimated that there may be at least 300 strays on the Island. We knew we had a mammoth task ahead of us as this initiative could take up to 2 years to complete.
In January 2015, while mapping the dog population in tandem, we started trapping and sterilization operations, which involved our talented team of trappers who are experienced in handling the strays humanely, our team of experienced vets who have selflessly volunteered their time and expertise to perform the sterilization procedures onsite; and our facility officer who maintains the facility and ensures the dogs receive proper pre-op and post-op care.
To date, we are happy to announce that a total of 31 sterilization procedures have been safely carried out on the Island, all solely managed by ASD. Buoyed by this progress, we endeavour to sterilize 100 dogs in the next 3 months and we believe once this initial target is reached, the population should start to stabilize, as we move ahead of the reproduction cycle.
Since we were established in 2000, ASD has been a strong advocate of sterilization as a long-term strategy to curb the stray population. This has proven a far more effective measure than culling which has shown no meaningful results over decades.
This pilot project is an extremely important milestone for ASD as we can now demonstrate, with numbers being closely monitored by authorities, that the stray population can be safely managed with sterilization and eventually reduced. This will, in turn, reduce the number of incidents associated with strays and help us avoid the senseless culling.
As can be expected, such projects require a huge amount of resources, mainly funds and manpower. Since we started in Dec 2014 we have spent over $10,000 on trapping, sterilizing and equipping the sterilization facility with stainless steel enclosures for recuperation and other critical items.
The project cost for each AWG is estimated at $200,000 and we humbly ask for your help to raise this. Here is how you can help:
We have setup the JUBILANT Sponsorship Fund, where you can have a personal stake in this project by sponsoring each of these dogs as we sterilize them and give them a lease of life, for they will be spared being culled. That is our light at the end of the tunnel, where we can emerge JUBILANT, knowing we have helped save their lives!
1) It cost an average of $250 to trap and another $200 to sterilize each dog and you can be their sponsor by donating to this fund. A webpage will be set up where you will be able to monitor the number of sterilizations done and how your donations are helping.
2) We also need part time and full time volunteers who can work on the project on a salary basis. Please email us at info@asdsingapore.com with the heading “TNR Project” if you are interested in joining us.
We are fully committed to making this project a success and to pave the way for future TNR strategies in Singapore. We want you to be a part of this!
Donations can be made through cheque or funds transfer. Please indicate “JUBILANT Fund” as your payment reference.
CHEQUE
Please make your cheque payable to “Action For Singapore Dogs Society” and send to:
ASD c/o Ricky Yeo
3 Jambol Place, Singapore 119330
FUNDS TRANSFER
Bank: OCBC
Bank Code: 7339
Branch Code: 650
Account No: 322456001
Account Name: Action For Singapore Dogs Society
* If you are transferring from an OCBC account, please add ’650′ to the account number ie, ’650322456001
ABOVE: A litter of 6-month old puppies were rescued along with their mother.
These puppies, if left on their own, will start breeding in a month or so. By sterilizing them and bringing them back to their original habitat, their lives will be spared.
They will be taken care of by the local people as community dogs.