Animal Lovers League charity status under probe

AVS had received feedback from volunteers of ALL regarding the welfare of these animals, and when its inspectors visited, they found that several of the animals were sick and were not receiving prompt or adequate veterinary attention.

AVS said it “needed to take a measured approach, as ALL is still taking care of its animal charges, some of which are old and sick”.

When The Straits Times team visited the ALL premises at The Animal Lodge on Dec 8, there was no one around and the doors were shut, except for one on the second level, where four small dogs, believed to have been surrendered by their owners and taken in by ALL, greeted the team.

ALL was co-founded by Ms Cathy Strong and Mr Mohan Div, who were rescuing animals in their own capacity before coming together to start ALL, a strictly no-kill shelter which aimed to encourage the public to adopt instead of buying animals, and have the shelter’s animals find loving and committed families.

ALL takes in mainly Singapore stray dogs and cats. It also does not turn away senior dogs and cats surrendered by owners.

In a 2012 interview with ST, Ms Strong said her dream was to see a Singapore free of strays: “I may not be able to see my dream come true within my lifetime, but it can – and will – happen one day.”

Mr Mohan, like Ms Strong, stressed that everything the shelter does for the animals is motivated by compassion. In a 2017 ST interview, he said: “Every animal deserves a second chance.”

Yet, volunteers reported that the shelter failed to get the animals adopted, frequently refusing adoption requests. It also failed to seek timely veterinary care for sick animals.

After the news broke that ALL would be losing its lease at The Animal Lodge, several animal welfare groups and independent rescuers rallied to help it tide over this period.

Founder of Voices for Animals Derrick Tan and other independent rescuers sent food rations comprising canned food and fresh eggs on Dec 9 for the animals at the ALL shelter, with others expressing their intentions to match the amounts sent.

Vice-president of Purely Adoptions Estella Lien offered to take care of some of the animals and put some of them up for adoption under its banner.

Some independent fosterers have also volunteered to care for some of the animals.

Mr Tan said it saddened him deeply to see people who know nothing about animal rescue pointing fingers as if the work were simple or effortless.

“Animal rescue has always required tremendous financial resources, emotional strength, and hands-on care,” he said.

“(Instead), I am urging those who can help (to) please come forward. Your assistance matters more than you know.”