Singapore government to build new homes for animal shelters and pet farms

Many of the pet farms and animal shelters–currently located in Loyang and Seletar– will need to move out by the end of 2017. But don’t worry, they’ll be going somewhere that is better for both their staff and the animals.
Claudia Chia 22 November 2016

The Singapore government will build facilities at Sungei Tengah for about 40 animal welfare groups and pet farms and these facilities will be leased to the organisations for monthly rentals, said the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) in a statement yesterday.

In a statement, AVA explained that the new homes will have two storeys and “sufficient space for the number of existing animals” that are currently living in the affected shelters and pet farms. Each farm and group will be assigned a space inside a three-hectare compound, and the size of the allocated space will depend on the number of animals that each organisation has.

According to the animal welfare groups involved in the big shift, each unit will be able to accommodate around 20 dogs and will include basic facilities like food storage and bathing areas. The rental rate for animal shelters will be around $13 per square metre per month, and pet farm rentals will be based on tender bids for the units. Construction will begin next year.

According to participants that were present during a meeting with Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Desmond Lee last week, the various stakeholders involved were informed of the move and it was met with positive feedback.  

For Save Our Singapore Dogs (SOSD) president Dr Siew Tuck Wah, this initiative came as a complete surprise. SOSD is based in the Pasir Ris Farmway area and its lease will expire in May 2017. “Through the years, we gave them various proposals but they never told us their plans,” said Dr Siew. “But they went one step further and decided to build the facilities and then lease to us. So it’s even better because we don’t have to worry about raising a lump sum. The outcome is very good for everyone.”