We can totally relate to the many issues that they face. It is not just restricted to Singapore alone. It happens here as well.
We have, in the past, encountered individuals who start off with so much passion and commitment, but the problem is, they do not know that everyone has limits. They do not know when to stop, and they go on and on, and finally end up doing too much. When this happens, a few things may happen, namely, they give up, they get depressed, they develop compassion fatigue which sometimes lead to something snapping somewhere in their psyche and they do horrible things like picking up street animals and getting them euthanised straight away without even giving the poor animals a chance.
This is why we always advise animal caregivers and rescuers to do within their means. For example, if any caregiver or rescuer wants to pick up every single street animal in distress, then do they have a place or home big enough to house all of these animals? Do they have the financial resources, time and energy to see to all the medical and other needs of all the animals? Animals need nutrition, space with good sanitation and hygiene, veterinary care and love. Do they have the capacity to ensure that all the animals will have a good enough life? If the answer is no, then it’s time to stop and take stock of all they need to do for their existing animals, and stop taking in more. Let others do their part too. We cannot save the world.
It will also be good to remember that all animals have a natural survival instinct. This means that they WANT to live. They do not want to die. Opting to euthanise perfectly healthy animals due to lack of space or resources is very unfair to the animal. Just because the human can no longer cope, the animal must die? That is not right at all. It would be fairer to have the animal neutered and then returned to the colony and continue looking after the animal in there. Yes, there will be risks in the colony since it is outdoors, but animals have a natural instinct to survive.
Our concept of helping street animals has always been CNRM right from Day One. C=Care, N=Neuter, R=Rehome if possible. If not, then R=Return and M=Manage. So, rehoming is always prioritised whenever possible. If that’s not possible, then return to the colony and continue managing them from there.
Doing CNRM within our means has always been our way of life and we practise it ourselves too. Please see next post.
