Shops that DO NOT sell animals

Let's use our consumers' power to indicate to shops that sell "live" animals (akin to selling slaves in the past) that we DO NOT APPROVE by boycotting them.

This posting is to give information (name, address, phone and website) of shops that DO NOT sell live animals so then we can support them and help them to flourish.

Why you shouldn't buy animals from petshops

What You Can Do
You can help animals sold in pet stores in the following ways:
• Encourage pet stores that sell animals not to do so. PETCO recently agreed not to sell large birds (such as cockatoos and macaws), recognizing the inherent cruelty in confining these wild animals and subjecting them to inadequate care.
• Report any sick or injured animal to your local animal control agency or police department immediately.
• Contact PETA about working on legislation to require that animals sold in stores be spayed or neutered.

Lastly, don’t patronize pet stores that sell animals. You can purchase supplies for companion animals from pet supply stores or catalogs that carry full product lines but don’t treat animals as merchandise. And if you’re searching for an animal companion, adopt from a reputable animal shelter (please see our factsheet “Animal Shelters: Hope for the Homeless”) or rescue organization.

1) Loving Pets
No. 158 East Coast Road
Tel: 63461286
(near Mt Pleasant East, next to OCBC)

2) Sundream Pet Land
Far East Shopping Centre #02-24, 545 Orchard Road, Singapore 238882.
Tel: 6224-9944
To get there: Take the MRT to the Orchard Station and walk. Go up the external escalator and it’s the first shop on the right. Parking is available at the URA carpark behind the shopping centre.

Update on the coffee-shop's cat that suffered a fracture to a hind limb

11.38am, mms from Lily
“Hi, Coffee has her cast removed just now. Although it’s a little sore and painful, Dr James Tan said it’s very good. So to nurse another 2 weeks, then take out the pin inside.”

Photos from her album

4th December 2008


26th November 2008


9th October 2008

This "ugly" community cat is very fortunate to have met with many kind people such as the one who have her sterilised many years ago (when ears were not tipped) so that she didn't have to expend energy caring for endless litters of kittens. An increasing number of cats and kittens could reduce tolerance of some human beings for their presence resulting in complaints to the AVA or the town council and the whole lot of cats and kittens would be rounded up by a pest controller.
The other kind person in the life of this cat called "Kopi-Tortie" or "Coffee" is an Indian middle-aged lady who works as a cleaner in a nearby factory. She would offer cat food to this cat before she ordered her breakfast.
Another kind person is a young lady called Lily who works in the vicinity. She took Coffee to the vet when she saw her limping and is now caring for her at home.

Is it all about cats only?

Some if not many of us will not let our friends know that we care for cats. Some even spend a large portion of their income on sterilising cats and also for treatment of illnesses.
Why?
Because
We will have "strange look"
We will recieve comments like "Siow (hokkien for "mad") ah"
or "Why don't you help human beings?"

Much of our woes arise from self-centredness. We think that life is about satisfying our senses - eating, wearing expensive clothes, upgrading cars, apartments, marrying that ideal partner, etc

But do we get sustained happiness from meeting the needs of these "mundane" desires?

Will we be "forever" happy if our whole life in focused on "I" and "Me"?

Caring for others, even if they are "just" cats, is a spiritual developement to care beyong oneself.
To give of oneself to others without expecting any benefits in return. In fact, caring for cats means "more trouble".
However we must also exercise wisdom in our compassion for cats. This include speaking out for the cats to improve their welfare. Spending within one's means. Sterilising the cats while providing food.

At the end of the days, it is not only the cats that benefit from our care but we too gain from develping a kind heart as well as virtues such as generosity and patience.

Sebastian, a duck with wheels!

Sebastian, a duck with wheels!
Sent in by: Sharon, Sebastian's human

One summer night this tiny yellow duckling was crawling & struggling to walk across the sidewalk. Some cruel person didn't think her life was worth anything and threw her out with the garbage. She had cuts and scrapes all over her tiny body. To make matters worse for this little duckling, her legs were deformed, she was handicapped, her legs bend & she couldn't stand up and walk, so I took her to the doctor to see if anything could be done for her legs to give her a chance at life, but they wanted to put her to sleep they said nothing could be done.

I said no, I won't put this little duck to sleep. I named her Sebastian, not knowing if she was a boy or a girl. She turned out to be a girl duck and I took her home. That was 11 years ago. I guess the doctor didn't think anybody would care for this little duck... I couldn't find her a home or an organization that would take her so I had to keep her myself. I became her mother and she my child and I must say what a great job I did. I unselfishly and unconditionally love Sebastian... I added 10 years to Sebastian's life that otherwise she would not have had if not for my love and my own sacrifice, no time off and no vacations, it's hard work & total dedication round the clock.

Sebastian is the love of my life I just love Sebastian so much words cannot describe it. Her life is filled with love, hugs and kisses everyday, since she is handicapped I have to do everything for her it's a lot of work and dedication but I don't mind one bit because of the strong love I have for this duck, we both love each other so much and are so bonded. My husband builted Sebastian a wheelchair although she can't move it she doesn't mind sitting in it to be near me while I do housework.

Sebastian has her own bedroom and sleeps in a playpen on baby blankets, she needs to be kept on soft surfaces so she doesn't get sores on her hocks, her hocks are wrapped in self grip to prevent sores, our day begins with good morning & happy to see you kisses, then I changed the blankets she was sleeping on all night with clean fresh ones, then after that I go and get her breakfast ready, she knows I making it because she starts quacking up a storm, after breakfast she will take a nap, after the nap comes more blanket changes and lunch, after lunch I will put her in the kiddie pool for her daily bath & swim when she ready to come out I put her in her outdoor pen where she preens herself and enjoys the sunshine, I begin her laundry by washing all her towels & blankets and I scrub out her playpen clean, after several hours of being outside in her pen, I take her out and hold her on my lap for some petting and play time or we just sit on the grass and play, now it's toward the evening I feed her dinner her tummy is full...I can sit and relax for a while until later when I give her a snack before she goes to bed kiss her good night shut the lights and start all over again the next day... I want to say thank you for all the wonderful & touching comments everyone has expressed towards Sebastian.

When you have a pet that is handicapped and you unconditionally take care of that pet, the love that you receive back is so much worth the work that it takes to care for them. Never give up on your beloved pets that can no longer walk. They deserve every chance that a human does, because all forms of life are precious. - Sharon

Cats in HDB flats: Don’t punish responsible pet owners

The Straits Times ST Forum Jan 2, 2009

Cats in HDB flats: Don’t punish responsible pet owners

SOME months ago, a friend told me an HDB officer had passed her flat and noticed a cat sitting on the sofa in her living room. He whipped out a camera, snapped some photographs and threatened her with a fine. He also asked her to ‘remove’ the cat.

My friend moved to a private apartment where there are no rules prohibiting cats as pets. Soon after she moved, her former neighbours saw two HDB officers knocking on her door, armed with a camera and two big bags, presumably to remove the cats.

Are HDB officers allowed to remove cats? I understand from the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) that only pest controllers are authorised to remove cats to the AVA.

The HDB should review the archaic rule banning cats. It is not cats that cause nuisance but owners who do not practise pet responsibility.

Fine irresponsible owners who do not keep their cats indoors, do not sterilise their cats or abandon them.

Similarly, it is not dogs that are irresponsible but their owners who do not clear up their mess in public, do not leash their dogs in public or do not ‘obedience-train’ dogs that bark day and night.

Dr Tan Chek Wee

2 best friends

3 best friends