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| Uncle Seng |
Uncle Seng is an elderly security guard whom we have known for the past 8 years, since we started feeding strays in this particular industrial estate. He is at the guard house 24/7. He doesn’t go home, not even during Christmas or Chinese New Year. He doesn’t talk about his family, and we don’t want to pry so we never asked. Our volunteers will visit him and eat with him each Christmas and Chinese New Year. He will not accept money but will accept food and clothes so we often collect clothes from our brothers and fathers to give to Uncle Seng.
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| Volunteers visiting Uncle Seng every Saturday with daily necessities |
Uncle Seng is about 70 years old. On his factory compound, he has 8 cats and 2 dogs. The 2 dogs are Mary and a black dog whom we call Audi. Audi used to live in the neighbouring factory but moved to Uncle Seng's side as he was often bullied at the other side. Mary, who we think is around 6 years old, spends most of her time under Uncle Seng's bed, only coming out to pee or poo. Audi is the son of Amber and the brother of Vera. Amber was taken away as she was injured, and has since been re-homed. Vera, who was also injured, was rescued too, and is presently in a foster home.
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| Tabby |
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| Socks |
Uncle Seng used to have 3 other dogs, Mookie, Ah Huay and Tang Tang who you can read about here and here.
You can read about Uncle Seng's other charges of the feline variety here.
These dogs and cats are all Uncle Seng has, and he is all they have, and together they could have lived happily ever after. Unfortunately, fate has decided to throw a spanner into the works. The factory is closing in 1 weeks’ time. In 1 weeks’ time, Uncle Seng will lose his job, his home, and his canine and feline family. Uncle Seng has nowhere to go. He is old and hard of hearing. No company is going to pay an old man to sit around and care for his 8 cats and 2 dogs.
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| Audi, Vera's brother |
The dogs and cats he leaves behind will also be homeless. Furthermore, most of his cats old, sick, and feral. We have started taking them, 2 at a time, to the vet for full medical checkups and then to commercial boarding. Uncle Seng was teary eyed when we took them away but if we hadn't, they would be left behind to fend for themselves and who knows how much shorter their lives would be then.
To date we have taken all the 8 cats to the vet :
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| Tabby |
Tabby
- Male
- 8 Years
- Sterilised
- Friendly
- FELV Positive otherwise healthy
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| Socks |
Socks
- Female
- 8 years
- Sterilised
- Feral
- Healthy
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| Sofie |
Sofie
- Female
- 9 years
- Sterilised
- Friendly able to pat
- FIV Positive
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| Berto |
Berto
- Male
- 9 years
- Sterilised
- Feral
- FIV Positive
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| Teddy |
Teddy
- Male
- 10 years
- Sterilised
- Feral
- FIV Positive, and currently down with Cat Flu (still warded)
Pearly
- Female
- 10 years
- Sterilised
- Feral
- FIV Positive and currently down with Cat Flu (still warded)
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| Nina |
Nina
- Female
- 10 years
- Sterilised
- Feral
- Negative for FIV and FELV
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| Ash |
Ash
- Male
- 10 years
- Sterilised
- Feral
- Negative for FIV and FELV
The cats are mostly old and unfriendly, and most likely will have to be in a cattery for the rest of their lives. Of the 8 cats, only Tabby, Sofie and Teddy seem adoptable as they are not as wary of humans as the others who may be too feral to be re-homed. Cats are not our area of expertise, and all we can think of is putting them in commercial boarding. If anyone has other ideas or suggestions, please email us. As it stands, our plans to put all 8 cats in commercial boarding will cost us $1200 per month for the rest of their lives and that’s a lot of money.
Of the 2 dogs he has, Mary will be the hardest hit. She is like Uncle Seng’s shadow. She will be placed in commercial boarding. We have never had the chance to fully assess her temperament but we believe she is shy and wary of people. Poor Mary, this separation will prove to be very traumatic for her. We hope she doesn’t pine away for Uncle Seng.
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| Such fear in sweet Mary's eyes |
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| Handsome Audi |
Audi, Vera’s brother and Amber’s son, will also be sent to commercial boarding as we have no available foster space for him. He is timid and slow to warm up but shows no aggression. We have yet to catch him as we can’t get near him, and neither can Uncle Seng.
This project is not only heartbreaking, it is also costly. Medical checks and long term boarding for all 10 animals into the foreseeable future will prove to be financially challenging.
How nice if someone would employ Uncle Seng to work in their factory, despite his age and poor hearing and all his 8 cats and 2 dogs could go with him. Dreams have sometimes come true, perhaps this one will too.
To offer help in any way to Uncle Seng, his 8 cats and 2 dogs : foster / adopt / help with cats vet bills / sponsor cats boarding, , please email hopedogrescue@singnet.com.sg.
