Saved from the Ghetto

Updates:On Saturday, 19 Nov when we visited our dogs at the shelter, we understand from the volunteers that Sox was feeling miserable. Hearing such words hurts our hearts to hear that a dog is unhappy. We went to visit Sox and she was locked up in the kennel with another dog and she did look sad and we decided to take her into our shelter since 2 dogs have found home and we had a space for Sox.

Our policy at the shelter is that we can only take in a new dog when a dog at the shelter has been rehomed - or else the place will be over crowded and the dogs will get frustrated due to space constraints. The number of dogs rescued from the shelter that was closed down is ten.

On Sunday, 30 October - Zeus Communications rescued nine dogs from being put down. The owner of a shelter has been struggling financially for some time now and could barely afford the upkeep of the dogs under her care. For the last 3 months, we have been providing her 14 shelter dogs with bags of dry food.

Unfortunately, the shelter had to close and the dogs were scheduled to be put down by the end of October. Thanks to our dedicated volunteers, the dogs have escaped their unfortunate fate, and have moved in with our shelter’s dogs. They are currently undergoing rehabilitation and it gives us a chance to get to know the dogs better so that they can be rehomed.

Initially, we were worried that the dogs would not get along with those in our shelter. Amazingly, after we had communicated with the dogs and told them that they need to share the space and live in harmony, they seemed to understand. So far, they have adhered to our rule of “No Fighting Allowed” and are living together as friends. Dogs know when their fur friends are on death row and they somehow welcome them with open hearts and accept them as members of the families. 

Many times, when we are at the shelter playing and attending to our dogs – our neighbour’s dogs will look across the fence and say “Hey! You guys are having so much fun – how we wish we can join you.”  The dogs look through the fences with envy that they were always having fun.  Well, what we can say is that today their wish came through – they get better nutritious meals and snacks from us.  What the dogs can now look forward to now would be car rides to the park – more walks and fun time with the volunteers.

The Zeus Play House

However, Zeus Play House is now getting too crowded and we would like the dogs to be adopted out into loving homes. It would be great if the dogs could go to families who would love and care for them instead of being confined to a small amount of space in the shelter.  A shelter is a temporary home for the dogs till they find their forever home. We do not want it to be a life sentence for our dogs, confining them forever. Our role is to house, socialise and nurse them until they are ready for adoption, when they find the right companion.

For those wondering why we did not choose to take over the shelter where the dogs were at previously, it is because it does not make economic sense to spend the extra money on rentals and  the upkeep of the shelter. Apart from cost, we want to give the dogs a chance to be adopted instead of leaving them to spend the rest of their lives at the kennels. We are also running on a very tight budget as the money available to us for animal rescue comes from sponsors and benefactors.

Daisy, Nokia, Jelly Bean, Coco, Bobby, Mei Mei, Tiger, Blackie and Faith are the nine who are now safely residing in our shelter. We have learnt that most of them were rescued from Kranji Industrial Estate, where heavy vehicles and machines made the place dangerous for the dogs to roam about. Right now, we are hopeful that the biggest and sweetest boy (Bobby) would be a suitable blood donor to save the lives of dogs who are in need of blood.

New Residents for Adoption

Daisy - Female, est. 2 years old

Daisy is the mummy of Jellybean and Nokia. She and her babies were rescued from one of Kranji's many danger zones where traffic is heavy and big trucks rush by with no regards to the lives of the dogs. Daisy is a smart lady who always has a keen eye for her surroundings especially when it's time for treats! Her sweet temperament, coupled with her beautiful coat of brown and black, she’s a doggie that’s hard to miss!




Nokia (with white chest) and Jelly Bean

 Nokia - Female, 1.5 years old

Nokia was found at Kranji with her mummy Daisy and sister Jellybean. She is full of boundless energy - you can see her racing up and down the kennels, playing with her mummy and sister. During her calmer moments, she'd tag along with you, curious as ever! Her name means "little child" in the Teochew dialect, because she used to be a skinny puppy who never seemed to put on any weight! But after what seemed like a long time, Nokia has finally grown up into a fine young lady.

Jelly Bean - Female, 1.5 years old

Jelly Bean is Daisy's daughter and Nokia's sister, found at Kranji. She was named Jellybean to suit her personality - a bag of colourful jellybeans! Orange is for her sunny personality, red for her warmth and blue for her oh-so-cool attitude. Come see Jellybean play and you will know what we mean!

Coco - Female, 1.5 years old

Coco was also found at Kranji Industrial Estate and she looks like a pug in disguise! She is the quieter one of the lot, preferring to stealthily take in her surroundings and then secretly steal any uneaten food! Her guilty looks never fail to give her away and she'll make you roar with laughter. With her soft brown coat and black muzzle, she is no doubt a little pug in disguise! Take a look at her!

Bobby - Male, 3 years old

A sweet, gentle boy that belies his big size, Bobby is a real darling. He was rescued as a puppy by an NS man, who kept him near the quarters of his bunk. The man's seniors disallowed that and Bobby was brought to the shelter. Sadly, his owner has not visited him for a long time. Always looking a little forlorn, Bobby clearly misses his owner very much and would love to have a family to call his own.

Mei Mei - Female, 5 years old
A lorry driver found Mei Mei wandering near the sea some time ago. Although quiet, Mei Mei is one to love attention and will come running to you when called! Her lovely cream coat of ringlets makes her most ladylike-looking.

Tiger - Female, 1.5 years old

Hear me ROAR (or yelp)! This unusual and beautiful brindle coloured girl will rush to investigate new surroundings, but will be the first to yelp in fear at any sign of trouble. She loves following people around, and will stick close by your side during your visit to the shelter. Her curious and playful nature makes her sweet and endearing.

Blackie - Male, 1 year old

Blackie was found at Kranji, chasing cars and bikes as they travelled along the road. He is finally safe from the dangerous life on the streets and would love to have a home to call his own.

Faith – Female, 2 years old

Faith was found in a rubbish bin by an old man in Kranji. She had been rehomed but because she could not get along with the existing dogs, she had to return to the shelter. Despite the transitions from the streets to a home to a shelter, Faith is always full of hope that one day; the perfect family would come along for her.

Medical Health Check

Before being rehomed, all the dogs need to undergo a full health check to ensure that they are well. They also have to be microchipped and vaccinated. We urgently need funds for their health checks and the average amount for each dog will amount to around $100. Each healthy and happy dog has a better chance of getting rehomed.

Please help us to fulfil their life long dreams and they have escaped death twice!

Zeus Comms 2012 Calendar

Do take this opportunity to purchase a copy of Zeus Communications 2012 Calendar in aid of the street dogs who count on us to give them a 2nd chance to live. Vagabond dogs usually have nothing, and it’s up to us to give them the love they deserve. All proceeds from the sale of these calendars will help towards the upkeep of the shelter dogs that the volunteers have dedicated their heart and soul in helping.

Facts & Figures to Run a Shelter a Month

Rental of Boarding Facility & Caregiver - $3,000/-

Can Food (10 units a day x $2.50) x 30 days - $750/-

Dry Food (20 bags x $65) - $1,300/-

Miscellaneous (e.g. frontline, flea and tick shampoo, garbage bags, etc...) – $600/-

The amount excludes medical fees for the shelter dogs if they fall ill.

The shelter is currently running at full capacity and we now have 43 dogs at Zeus Play House – your contribution to help us to keep them alive is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Lynda Goh

Zeus Communications