54-year-old Rena Tan has been running a shelter housing rescued dogs for the past two years. Its premises sit on an area belonging to an ornamental fish farm in Lim Chu Kang, but not for long. It has been ordered by the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore to relocate or shut down by September 15 this year, as the fish farm can only conduct approved farming activities, which does not extend to operating a dog shelter. So Tan, a mobile canteen operator, has to find new homes for the canines.
According to the AVA, the dog shelter and its 19 strays were uncovered during a routine inspection of the fish farm. Tan actually rescued the animals on her own, but has yet to find a new place. She’s been taking care of stray dogs for over 30 years, and spent $18,500 on construction works for the shelter, which she hasn’t paid in full. Conceding that she should’ve gotten approval from the AVA before building the structure, she’s appealing to members of the public to adopt the dogs if they can.
Contact Action for Singapore Dogs if you’re interested in helping out.
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