Oh, for a home, where the animals roam...

THE former "residents" of Noah's Ark Lodge in Seletar have settled into their new home.

Seven months ago, the animals were moved to Pekan Nanas in Johor Baru.

Now, their home is called just Nanas, or Noah's Ark Natural Animal Sanctuary.

And it has given a new lease of life to some 350 creatures.

It is something like a retirement village for strays and abandoned animals,

mostly dogs and cats.

But Nanas also houses gibbons, chipmunks, peacocks, goats, a pony and an

albino snake.

Mr Raymund Wee, the man behind Noah's Ark, has big plans for the future.

He intends to organise eco-tours for the young and recreation trips for the

elderly.

The new site, almost as big as five soccer fields, is located off Kampong

Choh in Gelang Patah, a quiet town reminiscent of Singapore in the 50s.

Said Mr Wee, 51: "I was initially upset when we had to vacate our site in

Singapore.

"I was worried that the animals would find it difficult to adjust to the

change in environment.

"True enough, some of the elderly animals died during the move... but the rest

are now more or less settled in their new home, and they also have more space

to move about."

The animal-lover plans to build pondoks (huts) for retired and elderly folks

from Singapore to "rough it out" in the natural environment.

Mr Wee said: "In time to come, I will try to organise groups of retired and

elderly folks to come up to the sanctuary.

"They need not help out with the physical work like bathing the dogs or

washing the enclosures, but they must be people who love animals and nature.

"The aim is to provide them with a place in which to relax and enjoy nature."

Mr Wee added that he also has plans to organise eco-tours for school children

so that they will be better informed about nature conservation and learn how

to co-exist with nature.

As he spoke, his pet gibbon, Sarah, clung to him, perching on his shoulder

and tugging at his hair affectionately.

But Mr Wee doesn't let all his animals climb over him.

A loud "No!" and "Out!" from him was sufficient for the animals to know that

he meant business, and they scuttled out of the way obediently.

Said Mr Wee, who runs a dog grooming business (The Doggy Salon) in Singapore:

"Melody (the pony) and the goats get along fabulously.

"When the durian trees are fruiting, Melody will use her hoofs to stomp open

the thorny husk and share the fruit with the goats."

The sanctuary is a 45-minute drive from the Second Link at Tuas.

Its 20-strong pool of volunteers drive up every weekend to help out with

various tasks.

Said a regular volunteer, a graphic designer in her 40s, who wanted to be

known only as Ms Soo: "I try to come up every weekend to see all the animals,

as well as my four cats which are boarding here.

"It's a pleasant change from the fast-paced city life in Singapore."

Mr Christopher Loh, 25, a sales promoter who has been volunteering at the

sanctuary for about seven years, agreed.

He said: "I find that it's very fulfilling to be with the animals, especially

the dogs, as they can be very emotional animals.

"Since I'm not allowed to keep pets at home because my father disapproves,

coming to the sanctuary is the best option."

The volunteers help walk and groom the dogs, clean the kennels and catteries,

and feed the animals.

Mr Wee claimed he has already invested more than $100,000 in the sanctuary,

which included having to build the place from scratch.

And the maintenance does not come cheap.

Mr Wee estimated that it costs $15,000 monthly to pay the three full-time

workers he has employed to look after the sanctuary, buy food for the animals,

as well as run the generator, the main source of electricity.

The generator is turned on only at certain hours of the day. At night, the

workers or volunteers depend on kerosene lamps and candles for light.

Water is taken from a well. Said Mr Wee, who stays over at the sanctuary only

on weekends: "I would love to spend more time here but I have a business to

run in Singapore.

"I think that moving here is a blessing in disguise after all. The animals

are happy, and that's what matters."

NOMINAL MONTHLY RENT OF $500

NOAH'S Ark Natural Animal Sanctuary used to be known as Noah's Ark Lodge on

its Seletar Farmway premises in Singapore for seven years.

After losing the tender to dog-breeder and handler Thierry Lim last year, Mr

Raymund Wee, the operator of Noah's Ark Lodge, was given three extensions by

the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) to move his animals.

The new site, a 4-ha piece of land in Pekan Nanas, Johor Baru, was offered by

a Singaporean businessman. Mr Wee pays a nominal rent of $500 a month.

WHEN TO VISIT

Nanas is open to the public on Sundays from 11am to 5pm.

Visitors are welcome, but do call for an appointment beforehand.

For enquires on animal sponsorship at Nanas, please email to noahsarkcares@gmail.com

Source: The New Paper
Date: 6 March 2001