Philanthropy

With its upgraded clinic, SPCA moves one step closer toward its vision of providing affordable animal healthcare

With its upgraded clinic, SPCA moves one step closer towards its vision of providing affordable animal healthcare, and will continue to raise funds for its operations at the Tux for Tails ball this month. Organising committee members tell Hashirin Nurin Hashimi what the health of community animals mean to them

A singapore where all needy animals have access to healthcare—this is a vision of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), according to executive director Jaipal Singh Gill. And in a step towards realising it, Singapore’s oldest animal welfare charity has opened the doors of its upgraded clinic, which will provide comprehensive veterinary services to community animals here. Gill explains, “Some animals may not have access to veterinary care due to costs. The SPCA clinic bridges this gap for needy animals. We will provide, at affordable and subsidised rates, much needed preventative care, standard diagnostics such as X-rays and blood tests, as well as medical and surgical treatment for injuries and diseases. There are thousands of community cats and street dogs in Singapore being cared for by dedicated caregivers. These animals need access to healthcare like any of our pets would, but the costs can be a strain on the caregivers. Our clinic has always served these animals but we have struggled to cope with the volume.” To support the operations of the clinic, SPCA will continue its fundraising efforts with the Tux for Tails Fashion Ball on November 30, at The St Regis Singapore. Organising committee members, led by chairperson Gerti Iwatake, tell us about the animal healthcare concerns in Singapore, and why those looking for a pet should open their hearts to give a home to homeless animals. (And the good news: all the animals featured in this story have been adopted.)