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Challenge to rehouse dogs after shelter on farm ordered to close

SINGAPORE — The operator of a shelter housing rescued dogs on the premises of an ornamental fish farm in Lim Chu Kang is racing against time to find new homes for the animals, after being ordered to shut its operations by Sept 15 this year.

Ms Rena Tan, 54 (background), with her rescued dogs at a dog shelter within an ornamental fish farm in Lim Chu Kang. She attends to 20 dogs at this shelter with the help of volunteers. Photo: Rena Tan

Ms Rena Tan, 54 (background), with her rescued dogs at a dog shelter within an ornamental fish farm in Lim Chu Kang. She attends to 20 dogs at this shelter with the help of volunteers. Photo: Rena Tan

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SINGAPORE — The operator of a shelter housing rescued dogs on the premises of an ornamental fish farm in Lim Chu Kang is racing against time to find new homes for the animals, after being ordered to shut its operations by Sept 15 this year.

This is because the fish farm it sits on can only conduct approved farming activities — which does not include operating a dog shelter.

Ms Rena Tan, 54, a mobile canteen operator, had been running the shelter for two years, but was given six months — until Sept 15 — to relocate by the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA).

The AVA said that the shelter was discovered during a routine inspection of the fish farm, where inspectors found 19 dogs belonging to Ms Tan, who rescued the stray dogs on her own.

“Additional activities can only be approved if they are related to existing farm production and will not have food safety implications for farm produce,” the AVA said. “As such, while the farm can continue its operations at the site, the dog shelter has to cease its operations.”

The spokesperson added: “Nevertheless, we understand Ms Tan’s good intentions, and have thus offered her a grace period of six months for the dogs to be rehomed.”

It is not just the dogs at the farm that need a new home, there are 30 more at another shelter in Pasir Ris which may have to close if the government land-lease is not renewed by next year.

Ms Tan said: “I am still unable to find a new place ... It is difficult ... and I will have to spend more money to construct another shelter.”

It would be helpful if more people would come forward to adopt these rescued dogs, she said.

In her spare time, Ms Tan — who has been caring for stray dogs for more than 30 years — feeds more than 60 stray dogs in Tuas, on top of running two other shelters and attending to her family’s needs.

She was offered the space in the fish farm to be used as a shelter for the dogs and the landlord does not collect any rent from her.

But she has spent S$18,500 on construction works, which has still not been paid up in full.

She acknowledged that they should have sought approval from the AVA before they decided to build the shelter.

Ms Tan plans to tackle the challenge “one step at a time”: “If you think too far ahead, and can’t find any solutions at the moment, you will feel very frustrated, helpless and depressed.”

The AVA has shared with Ms Tan information of their partners who provide rehoming services. Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD) is helping her as well.

The AVA said: “Members of the public who wish to help rehome and/or adopt a dog may contact ASD directly.”

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