SPCA moves to Sungei Tengah next Monday

SPCA moves to Sungei Tengah next Monday

Singapore's oldest animal charity, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), will begin the move to its new premises in Sungei Tengah next Monday, after 32 years at its current Mount Vernon Road home.

It has advised the public to avoid both areas from Monday to Jan 26, due to the movement of heavy vehicles during the relocation.

Its adoption services will be suspended during this period, but the public can still call the SPCA's emergency hotline on 6287-5355 for cruelty investigation, lost-and-found cases and its 24-hour rescue service for injured animals.

The SPCA, which traces its history here to as far back as the 1800s, houses abandoned dogs, cats, rabbits, mice and guinea pigs. Before moving to Mount Vernon in 1984, it was based in Orchard Road.

Its new 7,700 sq m home in the Kranji countryside is three times larger than its current one, and can house about 350 animals, nearly twice as many as now.

Facilities at the new place include a shelter, clinic, education centre and an exercise and agility course for dogs, among others.

 

The project cost $7 million to complete, and SPCA is still trying to raise more than $966,000 through its online "Buy a Brick" campaign for its final payment to the builders.

"Vacating the premises at Mount Vernon is a bittersweet experience because it has been like home for the past 32 years," said the SPCA's acting executive director Jaipal Singh Gill.

"Yet, we are excited about our move to Sungei Tengah, which is a bigger shelter with improved facilities that will benefit the animals."

Mrs Ivy Singh-Lim, co-founder of the Kranji Countryside Association, a farmer coalition, said she looks forward to welcoming the SPCA to the community. "As soon as they move to the kingdom of Kranji, all the farmers will be standing by to help them. We have plenty of land and resources," said Mrs Singh-Lim, who is also owner of the Bollywood Veggies farm. "We will have community events and make it a lively place for people to visit," she added.

The SPCA's new facility at 50, Sungei Tengah Road will be open to the public on Jan 27, with the resumption of all services.

tiffanyt@sph.com.sg


This article was first published on Jan 16, 2016.
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