Channel NewsAsia 21 Nov 16;
SINGAPORE: The Government will build facilities for animal welfare groups to operate animal shelters and for pet farms, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said on Monday (Nov 21).
Most of the animal welfare groups and pet farms currently located in Loyang and Seletar will have to move out of their current premises when their leases expire by end-2017 as the sites are needed for redevelopment, the AVA said in its press release.
To facilitate the move, the Government will build and lease the facilities to the animal welfare groups and pet farms for monthly rentals. "This means they need not raise funds to pay a lump sum to buy land and construct their own facilities," the agency said.
The facilities, to be located in Sungei Tengah, will be ready by end-2017 and will be managed by AVA. They will adhere to animal welfare standards and there will be "sufficient space" for the existing number of animals affected by the move, it added.
The new facilities will have two storeys, instead of a single storey like the current premises, as it would make more intensive use of the land, AVA said.
There is also scope to plan for sharing of common facilities such as dog runs, which will further optimise land use. "AVA is seeking the views of various stakeholders on the design specifications of the facilities and will continue to engage them," it said.
- CNA/kk
Govt to build rental facilities for pet farms, animal shelters at Sungei Tengah
TOH EE MING Today Online 21 Nov 16;
SINGAPORE — New facilities will be built in Sungei Tengah by the end of next year, offering space for rent by operators of animal shelters and pet farms at Loyang and Seletar, most of whose leases expire by then, said the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) on Monday (Nov 21).
With the new facilities, which will be along Sungei Tengah Road and opposite Farmart, operators would not have to raise a lump sum to buy land and construct their own facilities, as is common now.
The design specifications of the new space is still being worked out, but to maximise the use of land, the buildings will be two storeys tall — the current premises at Loyang and Seletar are one-storey. Common facilities, such as dog runs, could also be built for tenants to further optimise land use.
The AVA, which will manage the new facilities, said there will be sufficient space for between 6,000 and 7,000 animals currently housed by the affected operators in Seletar and Loyang. There are nine animal welfare groups, 29 pet farms and several independent shelters there.
Most of their leases expire at the end of next year because the land they are sitting on has been earmarked for redevelopment, but specific plans have not been announced yet.
In response to queries, a spokesperson from AVA said: “The priority is to house the existing animals in Loyang and Seletar. We can consider leasing to other animal welfare groups and pet farms in other areas in future if there is sufficient space left over.” Asked about rental prices, the spokesperson said it will be pegged to recovering the cost of land, construction, maintenance, facilities management and other costs.
For animal welfare groups and independent shelters, a “rough ballpark we have now is about S$13 per sqm per month”. The cost will depend on the final design and contractor’s tender prices, added the AVA spokesperson.
Pet farm operators will have to tender for the units and their rentals will be based on their bids. While they were happy to hear of the relocation option, some of the affected animal welfare groups and pet farms raised concerns about space for the animals.
Mr Mohan Div, co-founder of Animal Lovers League shelter, which houses about 500 dogs and cats at Pasir Ris Farmway 3, said it would take time for the animals to adjust, as they are used to roaming freely in the open space at their current premises.
“It’s the light at the end of the tunnel with (this) and a real blessing financially ... (but) we do prefer an open-farm concept ... where animals get to walk around and mingle (with visitors),” he said.
Previously, he considered tendering for a piece of land with some other groups but acknowledged that cost would be a concern.
Another operator of a pet farm, which houses about 1,000 animals, wanted to know about the tenancy terms and the space available before he makes a decision. The operator, who declined to be named, said that with animals housed in closed quarters, it could be a problem if there was an outbreak of a disease.
Ms Elaine Tan, a boarder at Ericsson Pet Farm, wondered if there would be flexibility in customising space for animals.
Voices for Animals president Derrick Tan said he was happy that the authorities were stepping in to provide an option for operators who would otherwise have to find new premises themselves.
“We were worried about (finding where) to house these animals ... (especially) with land being very expensive in Singapore,” he added.
Government to build and lease facilities for animal shelters, farms
Janice Heng MyPaper 22 Nov 16;
Animal welfare groups and pet farms in Loyang and Seletar, which will need to move out of their premises when their leases expire by the end of next year, will get new facilities in Sungei Tengah built and provided by the Government.
The sites in Loyang and Seletar are needed for redevelopment, said the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) in a release yesterday.
To help with the move, the Government will build facilities and lease them to the animal welfare groups and pet farms for monthly rentals.
"This means they need not raise funds to pay a lump sum to buy land and construct their own facilities," said the AVA.
It will manage the facilities which will be ready by end-2017. It said there will be sufficient space for the current number of animals from the affected animal welfare groups and pet farms.
Having government-built facilities ensures that the new spaces adhere to animal welfare standards, said the AVA.
The new facilities will have two storeys, instead of one storey like the current premises.
