Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Dogs at Pasir Ris Farm

This is a very sad story - and the poor dogs involved sound in very poor shape. I am sure at least some of you have been receiving the emails circulating about this.

I can understand why Mr Tan and his friends wanted to get the dogs out of the kennel, especially given what a bad situation the dogs sound to have been found in. It is human nature especially when one cares for animals to try and get them out of a horrible situation. In addition, it does seem as if the AVA had been called in, but that they hadn't done anything earlier on.

The problem though, as Ricky from ASD pointed out, is that it might actually incentivise other breeders who are making a loss or just don't want to continue in the business of breeding any more. In fact, if someone wants to get out of the 'pet breeding 'business', he or she just has to neglect the dogs, bring it to the attention of some kindhearted people who will come and take the dogs off his or her hands. All that, and a cash payout too. True - it may not repay the cost that has been sunk into the 'business', but it sure is one way to minimise losses.

Not only that, the breeder faces no penalties. There is nothing to stop him or her from starting another breeding enterprise down the road - possibly even using the money that he or she has been paid to take the dogs out. The breeder hasn't been shut down at all - this particular venture has been, but that's it.

In the meanwhile, the well-meaning people who have taken the dogs in will have the mammoth task of trying to rehome almost 80 dogs, most of whom will probably not have to find homes because of their ill health. So they're looking at probably having to euthanise most of these animals - and that's something rescuers really shouldn't have to do. It's not rescue if most of the animals end up dead anyway - and the rescuers end up broke and disillusioned. Of course, I hope for the best for the dogs but I am not hopeful.

16 comments:

jules said...

I so share your sentiments, Dawn, and am incensed that the breeder hasn't been taken to task for his misdeeds! I can understand the rescuers were very concerned about the dogs' welfare but the breeder should not be let off so easily. As u said, the breeder can just start another unscrupulous business again...

Dawn said...

Yes - that's the worry, and that more dogs will suffer.

Anonymous said...

We adopted a German Shepherd from a going-out-of-business breeder 20 yrs ago. This miserable breeding business is on-going-how very sad.
Govt shd put a stop to this sick business & not let it go on and on and on.....

Anonymous said...

Yes,whats the ava response on this manner? How are they going to clamp down on breeding farms (far fetch wish).

Anonymous said...

One can choose not to buy pet food from pet shops that sell dogs, cats or other animals.

Dawn said...

Anonymous - from what I understand, they are meeting with the breeder. On a quick read through of the laws, they can, at the least I believe, deny him a license in the future.

Also, the suggestion to not buy food, etc from pet shops that sell pets is a good one. However, I'm not sure how viable it is in Singapore. Almost every pet shop here seems to sell animals.

Anonymous said...

Loving Pets along East Coast Road seems to be the only pet shop here that does not sell animals. They (mother & daughter) are the ones who truly care for animals. They have close to 20 cats at home, all rescued. I rather my money goes to them than some unscrupulous pet shop owners.

Aminah Bee said...

Anonymous, Loving Pets are not the one petshop that don't sell animals. Polypets in Clementi also don't sell pets. Search more and you will find out that there's some other pet shops that don't sell pets too.

Don't buy pets from pet breeders, adopt one from an animal shelter or bring home a stray.

Anonymous said...

Support Pet Shops that DO NOT SELL PETS

Mary said...

Actually Polypets do sell hamsters :)

Anonymous said...

Mary, Polypet don't sell hamsters.
Polydecor Enterprise are the ones selling hamsters. Polydecor located at another block nearby Polypet, is of different management from Polypet.
Polypet are under Cat Welfare Society members list of discounted pet food/products suppliers -- recommended by CWS because they don't sell pets.

Aminah Bee said...

Mary, Polypet don't sell hamsters.
Polydecor Enterprise are the ones selling hamsters. Polydecor located at another block nearby Polypet, is of different management from Polypet.
Polypet are under Cat Welfare Society members list of discounted pet food/products suppliers -- recommended by CWS because they don't sell pets.

Anonymous said...

Seems, from circulating sms and emails, the rescuers are threatening to pts the animals if not adopted within 2 weeks!!

Dawn said...

Anonymous - I certainly hope this is a misunderstanding of some kind. Unfortunately I'm not sure what other options they will have if their lease runs out and there aren't enough adoptive homes.

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