SPCA's longest-serving employee recalls starting out with a fear of dogs
What's it like to care for animals that are abandoned, rescued, or abused? For SPCA's longest-serving employee Pribakaran Kunju, it means showing love without getting too attached. He shares how he's navigated the highs and lows of his almost 50-year journey in animal welfare.
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CNA
4 hours ago
- CNA
He is Singapore's only authorised cuckoo clock repair specialist – and a 'restorer of memories'
To the average ear, the difference between tick-tak-tick-tak and tak-tak-tak-tak is likely inconsequential, if at all noticeable. But being able to diagnose the issue with a faulty cuckoo clock, based on its sound, is partly why Michael Cheah has been touted as the "go-to guy" for repairs by his customers in Singapore and the region, including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, the Philippines and India. Cheah is in demand, firstly, because he's great with his ears and hands, possessing specialised technical skills. Plus, The Cuckoo Haus, which he founded and runs full-time, is the only cuckoo clock service station in Singapore authorised by the Black Forest Clock Association. The reputable association, better known as VdS or its German name Verein die Schwarzwalduhr, issues authenticity certification to member organisations for their cuckoo clocks. The highly sought-after seal is given to mechanical clocks, not quartz clocks or those running on solar energy. The clock must be made entirely of wood – except for their movement, the mechanical system that powers a clock – with all essential parts produced in Germany's Black Forest region, the birthplace of cuckoo clocks, and meet the stringent quality controls set by the association. Most importantly, though, his customers, consciously or otherwise, are hoping that he will restore their precious memories. For many, the clock is not just a clock. The sentiment may seem whimsical to others, but it mirrors his own passion for the niche profession he discovered by accident in 2010. A CHANCE CALLING It's rare enough to own a cuckoo clock, let alone be a specialist in them, especially in Singapore. So it's little wonder Cheah is often asked, with a mix of curiosity and incredulity, how he even realised this could be a job. 'By chance', the 58-year-old believes – similar to the serendipity of customers stumbling upon his business after searching high and low for a cuckoo clock repair specialist. While he conceptualised The Cuckoo Haus in 2009, he only incorporated it the following year as a retail business. He was going through a major life transition at the time, and was seeking a new challenge. Having previously worked for a German company in construction and machine manufacturing for over a decade, he landed on cuckoo clocks – a cultural icon of German craftsmanship. Handmade wooden cuckoo clocks typically take the form of charming chalets and feature intricately carved designs. These folkloric timepieces are traditionally powered by weights shaped like pine cones and a swinging pendulum, with a small cuckoo bird emerging to call out the hour. Tapping on the few German contacts Cheah had, 'I decided to bring cuckoo clocks over to sell', he recalled wryly. 'But I had no experience in retail. Big mistake.' This is because those who want a cuckoo clock tend to prefer purchasing the tangible memory of German tradition from Black Forest itself, he explained. His retail store, located at Clarke Quay Central, lasted all of around nine months. But it was enough. The store was located on the fourth floor of the mall, next to the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC), and footfall was scant. One day, an NVPC employee – whose name Cheah can't recall – approached him to repair an old and 'very valuable' cuckoo clock from their late aunt. 'I said I'm selling clocks. I don't know how to repair. He told me: 'Never mind, you have nothing to do, you sit here most of the time. Just figure it out. You charge me whatever rate you want to charge me,'' recalled Cheah, still visibly perplexed that a stranger took a chance on him, and that it changed the trajectory of his life. He was always "mechanically inclined", preferring to fix broken appliances by himself at home, for instance. So he took to the analogue artefact quite naturally. 'It was like watching a child learning how to walk. I was so excited, like hey, this is something I want to do. I enjoyed it, and I repaired it quite fast. Everybody was happy,' he said. SCIENCE AND ART IN CUCKOO CLOCK REPAIR Following the closure of his retail shop, Cheah returned to corporate life for a few years. He continued to repair cuckoo clocks as a 'hobby' on the weekends, before deciding to take it full-time in 2016. His busiest period? Just after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, with people having rediscovered their old clocks while stuck at home. To date, he estimates having repaired more than 500 warranty clocks. Most authentic Black Forest cuckoo clocks come with a two-year warranty that's recognised by authorised repair specialists and service stations worldwide. In his experience, there are myriad reasons a cuckoo clock doesn't work. For one, Singapore's humidity may result in a rusty chain in a mechanical clock. Some clocks also get 'choked up' thanks to cooking fumes at home. Then there are instances where there is 'nothing wrong with the clock'. The owner simply needs to display it right, he said. 'You have to hang it at a certain height, in a correct way, in a correct location where there's not too much wind. The pendulum works on a simple harmonic motion, so if there's wind, it will disrupt the rhythm and the clock will stop. This is characteristic of a cuckoo clock.' An understanding of cuckoo clocks is hence equal parts science and art. Among other intangible skills, one needs a keen sense of intuition to pinpoint the problem, which is sharpened through experience. There is no standard template to follow – in part why Cheah believes few are able or willing to pick up the trade, even though he hopes that can change with more awareness of the craft. 'With a grandfather clock, or any other clock, there's a certain procedure that you need to follow. And if everything is done properly, it will work right. But with cuckoo clocks, you could do everything correctly and it still won't work,' he said. It's a challenge he relishes, however, taking two to five days on average to repair a clock. Then he usually keeps it an extra couple of days to ensure it's fully functional before returning it to the owner. 'You need to have patience and be very observant. Slow yourself down to a certain state where you can observe the movements in the clock to troubleshoot. And you need to listen intently to the sound of the clock: tick-tak-tick-tak or tak-tak-tak-tak. There are a lot of sounds that will give you a telltale sign of what's wrong,' he said. 'Otherwise, you'll be touching and playing with the clock, without getting anywhere.' As such, he treats each cuckoo clock as the sum of its parts. If the music isn't working, for example, he doesn't just focus on getting it to play again. Instead, he 'strips everything out', fully refurbishing the timepiece. 'So in that sense, when the clock goes back to the owner, it looks almost like new,' he said, adding that every clock he repairs gets a one-year warranty. Cheah's total commitment doesn't go unappreciated. Many customers have lauded his clear and methodical explanations on caring for the clock after repair. 'Michael is a master at his craft. He took the time to explain what could possibly go wrong and advised me on what to do to take care of the clock. When I had a problem with the clock at home, he was happy to guide me through troubleshooting and fixing the problem,' wrote one satisfied customer on Google Reviews. REPAIRING CLOCKS, RESTORING MEMORIES Expressive customers, it would seem, are a core aspect of his job. Even so, their sentimentality, uncharacteristic of typically stoic Asians, still catches him off guard on occasion. One memorable customer, he recalled, was an 'emotional' young lady from India, who brought a cuckoo clock that her grandfather bought in Germany in 1967. She was crying when she dropped off the clock, and again when she collected it after repair. 'She said she couldn't find anybody to do this for so many years. She went around India and all that, but the clock kept on spoiling. And so I did everything for her,' he said. A couple meanwhile hoped to fix their cuckoo clock bought decades ago, while they were backpacking on a shoestring budget in Germany. Even though they could well afford 10 new clocks now, they 'just wanted to get that one going', he added. Then there was a customer who couldn't fall asleep without the ticking of her cuckoo clock, and called him at night to fix it. 'I know the clock is working now, because the moment the clock doesn't work, she would have called me non-stop already, and I have to go,' he shared, tickled by the fond memory. 'No, seriously, I think cuckoo clock people are a different breed of people ... I was like, hey, why don't we do it tomorrow? It's not life and death.' Still, Cheah is drawn to such impassioned customers precisely for their quirks. For his keen understanding of their inexplicable connection to their clocks, some have said that his price, while not cheap, is 'money well spent' – a compliment as rare as a VdS authenticity certification. Customers are usually willing to pay more for repairs than they paid for the clock. Repairs start from S$160 for a small cuckoo clock without a music box, with the final cost depending on the extent of work needed. At the higher end, a clock's repair cost once exceeded S$2,000. While he requires payment upfront, he guarantees a full refund if he's unable to fix the clock – which he hasn't needed to do since he started his business. 'Because I'm relatively expensive, I think my price will filter out all those people who feel that the clock is just a clock. Whoever comes to me, usually the clock means something to them. Some may say it out loud, some may not, but who would normally want to pay more for repairs than the clock costs?' he said. 'My tagline is I don't repair clocks – I look at myself as a restorer of memories. That gives me the motivation to do a good job. The best thing that's kept me going all these years is the joy I bring to the client.' And the feeling is mutual. 'Some people play golf, some people go fishing. I repair clocks, and I make money out of it too. When I'm repairing, I feel like I'm in another world. It's very strange, but that's the time when I feel the most relaxed. I'm totally at ease," he shared. In his cosy studio, barely five steps from the door to his workbench, Cheah enters his zone. He pulls up his toolkit and opens the back of a clock, gently tinkering with its movement. Then the cuckoo bird pops out of its little window. A pair of dancing figurines begins to circle the wooden platform, as the familiar refrain of Edelweiss fills the room.
CNA
a day ago
- CNA
To the rescue: These women save and rehome hamsters that have been abused, dumped or neglected by their owners
They are small, furry and cute, but like any other pet, hamsters need a lot of love and care. And sadly, they are often neglected or abandoned by owners who don't understand them. The volunteers of Hamster Society Singapore (HSS) know this too well. The non-profit society is led by a core team of five women: President Cheryl (who declined to give her full name and photo for this story), 32, vice-president Gladys Lam, 30, and board members Chen Soong Fee, 37, Kwa Li Ying, 29 and Sim Jia Yi, 27. The team, said Sim, comes from diverse professional backgrounds, from design to healthcare. Lam, for example, is a professional race car driver. 'This diversity strengthens our ability to approach animal welfare from multiple perspectives,' she added. All are passionate about hamsters and are involved in fostering. A VOICE FOR HAMSTERS Chen told CNA Women that, 'despite being one of the most common pets, hamsters are often misunderstood and overlooked in the broader animal welfare landscape'. HSS started in 2019, and currently has 35 volunteers, including the core team. It was founded as there was no dedicated rescue group for hamsters, and due to the glaring lack of education and proper standards for hamster husbandry in Singapore. 'Many people underestimate the level of care hamsters require, often leading to their poor welfare,' said Kwa. 'Through outreach and accessible resources, we aim to raise awareness about proper hamster husbandry and advocate for more informed, responsible pet ownership.' A common misconception is that hamsters make good starter pets for children. The truth is hamsters are fragile, nocturnal, easily stressed, and not ideal for young children who may mishandle them. While small, hamsters are very active and need large enclosures. Most cages people buy from pet shops are too small, leading to stress or behavioural issues in hamsters. Then there are owners who think that hamsters don't require veterinary care, assuming that the rodents are too small to treat and not worth the cost. In reality, vet care for hamsters can be just as expensive as treating cats or dogs. A consultation can cost hundreds of dollars and go into the thousands for hamsters with chronic illnesses. Surgeries such as tumour removals or spaying can cost about S$2,000. HSS noted that owners are often unprepared for these expenses, leading to delayed treatment or them surrendering their pet to HSS. EDUCATION ON HAMSTER CARE AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH 'As a volunteer-run non-profit, we rescue, foster, and rehome hamsters that are abandoned, neglected, or in need of medical care. Equally important is our mission to educate,' said Lam. On the HSS website are hamster care articles including information such as creating the ideal cage for these pets and recipes to make them delicious snacks. The team also has visited schools to give talks on proper care for hamsters. The team said many adopters and members of the public have found the articles useful in helping them better understand proper hamster care, especially as pet shops and online sources may provide outdated or inaccurate information. For example, the hamster's cage needs to be cleaned every one to two days, and while they may initially look docile and cute, hamsters can suddenly fight, leading to severe injuries. Another misconception is that hamsters stop growing their teeth in adulthood. The reality is, without proper items to chew on, their teeth can become overgrown, leading to dental issues and difficulty eating. 'We're extremely happy that our resources have helped raise the standard of care in Singapore, and we've seen more adopters coming in already equipped with suitable enclosures and proper knowledge – something that wasn't common just a few years ago,' said Cheryl. CASES OF NEGLECT AND ABANDONMENT STILL HIGH But more needs to be done. HSS said cases of neglect and abandonment remain common. In 2024, the society rescued 74 hamsters, including cases of abandonment, surrenders, and referrals from the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS). 'Unfortunately, we continue to receive a high number of surrender requests (85 surrender applications for 128 hamsters in 2024) citing reasons that reflect a deeper issue of underestimation and misunderstanding of the responsibilities involved in pet ownership,' said Sim. Reasons for owners surrendering their hamsters include relocating overseas, allergies, a lack of time, school or work commitments, and even cases of owners surrendering sick or aggressive hamsters they feel unequipped to care for. Sim noted that in some instances, hamsters are surrendered because the families' domestic helpers are returning home, or because the pet is 'no longer manageable' or 'not tame'. 'While some are genuinely unavoidable situations, many stem from impulse purchases or misconceptions that hamsters are easy, low-maintenance pets ideal for young children,' she added. Most of the rescue cases by HSS begin with tip-offs on Facebook Messenger or their website from concerned members of the public, and some are referred by the AVS. Recent cases of abuse include two hamsters abandoned in a stairwell, another hamster was found in a plastic bag, while a third was dumped in a park. The rescued hamsters are often found in poor health, such as bacterial infections, paralysis, broken legs, and even cancer. As with other cases of pet abandonment, HSS sees noticeable spikes during the year-end school holidays and festive season, particularly from December to January. Some realise only after the holidays that they aren't able to commit to the pet gifted or bought impulsively during the festive period. In addition, illegal backyard breeders and pet shops failing to educate buyers on proper care, also lead to increased cases of hamster neglect. 'The reality is that caring for these animals isn't just emotionally intensive – it's financially demanding. Many of these medical cases cost us hundreds to thousands of dollars in vet care, medication, and long-term housing. And yet, we continue to take them in, because every life matters,' said Sim. Despite their size, these hamsters feel pain and fear just like any other animal. Sim added: 'Our hope is that by sharing these stories, more people will come to understand the weight of pet ownership and the responsibility it entails.' GIVING RESCUED HAMSTERS A FOREVER HOME Sim, together with about 22 HSS fosterers, nurse the rescued hamsters back to health, before they are put up for adoption. Hamsters with known pre-existing medical conditions will always be declared. HSS has strict guidelines – such as a cage that is at least 90 cm by 90 cm by 50 cm and with a lid, a wheel that is at least 27 cm in diameter, and unscented bedding – to create the right environment for the hamsters before allowing anyone to adopt them. Adopters must also be committed to responsible pet care, which includes bringing the hamsters for medical treatments when necessary. Each month, about four to six hamsters find a loving forever home. The society cautions people from rushing to adopt a hamster if they're not ready. Instead, they can help by donating to HSS to fund veterinary care, rescue operations, and daily supplies. A big part of preventing neglect starts with awareness. Many hamsters suffer in silence due to a lack of understanding, such as how hamsters prefer to be housed individually rather than as a pair, and that not every hamster enjoys being handled. 'By learning and sharing correct hamster care information, you help dismantle harmful myths and promote responsible pet ownership,' said Sim. HSS recommends calling out poor husbandry when you see it, direct interested buyers to proper resources, such as its website, which includes a list of recommended vets that have knowledge caring for exotic pets, and share its articles and rescue stories. 'Advocacy doesn't always mean doing big things. It can start with one conversation that changes a pet's life,' said Sim. 'Together, these actions – no matter how small – create real, lasting impact for hamster welfare in Singapore.'
CNA
3 days ago
- CNA
Indonesian rescuers recover body of Brazilian tourist who fell off volcano cliff
JAKARTA: Indonesian rescuers have recovered the body of a Brazilian woman who died after falling off a cliff while hiking on Indonesia's second-highest volcano, rescue officials said. Juliana Marins, 27, was hiking with five friends on Mount Rinjani on Saturday when she slipped and fell off a cliff on the side of the 3,726m mountain. She was found dead on Tuesday (Jun 24), Indonesian rescuers said. Rescuers had been attempting to retrieve the body since but the effort was hampered by thick fog and the steep terrain. The body was recovered on Wednesday in a retrieval process that took six hours, Mohammad Syafii, the head of Indonesia's Search and Rescue Agency said late on Wednesday. After being lifted from the cliff, Marins' body was carried on a stretcher to the rescuers' nearest post where an ambulance took it to a hospital. "Initially we would like to use helicopter in the evacuation but it's not possible due to the weather condition," he said. "So, we had to evacuate the victim on stretchers which took quite a long time." Footage shared by the agency showed rescuers attempting to lift the body from the cliff using ropes, overshadowed by thick fog. Indonesia's rescuers agency had met with the family of Marin to explain the evacuation process, Syafii said, adding the family "can accept the situation". Located in West Nusa Tenggara province, Mount Rinjani is an active volcano and popular tourist site in the Southeast Asian archipelago.
