Latest news with #GladysLam
CNA
12 hours ago
- General
- 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
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- CNA
'Being underestimated fuels me': Meet the Singapore female race car driver with 30 races under her belt
If you spot Gladys Lam in her Suzuki Swift Sport on the roads, resist the urge to challenge her to a race. She will not take you on, not because she might lose, but on the contrary, she will outpace you. 'I've no interest in illegal street races. Racing belongs on the track,' Lam asserted. However, she is happy to chat and take photos. Lam, 30, is a professional race car driver, and currently the only active female racer in Singapore. Former notable speed queens include Anne Wong Holloway, the Singaporean driver who won the Macau Grand Prix in 1970, and British-born, Singapore-raised Claire Jedrek, who made history by becoming the first woman to achieve podium finishes in the Malaysia Championship Series. 'I do hope more Singaporean females pick up motorsports,' Lam told CNA Women. 'It is a big commitment. But to me, it is a dream worth chasing.' FROM SIMULATOR RACING TO COMPETITIVE MOTORSPORTS Influenced by friends who were into cars, Lam's passion for motorsports began when she was a teenager. She spent years doing simulator racing and go-karting before taking part in her first race in 2019 at the Malaysia Street Festival Series race at Sepang International Circuit. A last-minute spot to take part in the race, which fell on her 24th birthday, had opened up. 'It felt like a sign for me to go big or go home,' Lam recalled. She came in first in the women's category. 'The feeling of standing on top of the podium after a race was addictive. It made me want to chase that high again and again.' The former events project manager entered full-time racing and content creation in 2024. 'It was bittersweet letting go of a job that I enjoyed, but things got overwhelming with the increasing demands from racing and content projects,' said Lam. 'But being a project manager taught me how to manage chaos, and that skill translated perfectly into managing racing schedules, sponsors, and content work.' Lam reckoned she has taken part in over 30 races across different countries, circuits and cars, since her debut in 2019, at times clocking in speeds of about 200 km/h. One of her recent races was in December 2024, where she took part in a 25-hour endurance race in Thailand with Team Supersonic, an all-Singaporean team. At endurance races, drivers take one-to-two-hour shifts. She stayed the full 25 hours on the track. Even when she was not driving, she was on standby with her phone switched on and ready to go. 'Such long endurance races can mess with your body clock a bit, but you prepare for it. You rest when you can, hydrate, and stay sharp,' she said. The team came in sixth. Lam races in production cars such as the Suzuki Swift, Honda Jazz and Honda CR-Z. On the outside, they look similar to the ones on the roads, but the race cars have been stripped to their bare minimum and have only one race seat. Her daily car is a Suzuki Swift Sport which she has had for nine years. 'Maintenance is simple and it drives great,' Lam said. GYMKHANA AND CIRCUIT RACING Races in Singapore are mostly gymkhana, which historically used to be called 'car park rallys'. In gymkhana, drivers complete a complex obstacle course in the shortest time. Lam has competed in a few gymkhana competitions in Singapore and in Southeast Asia and clinched some podium finishes along the way. 'But it's tough to get locations for gymkhana in Singapore so competitions don't happen often,' she explained. Her main racing discipline is circuit racing. Singapore doesn't have a permanent race circuit, so most of Lam's races happen overseas, mainly in Malaysia and Thailand. On average, she travels for a race once every month or two depending on the season calendar, and on each race weekend there are usually at least two races. Lam's upcoming races include the PT Maxnitron Racing Series in Thailand, in June, August and October. For non-racing fans, who may be more familiar with Formula 1, Lam said that 'that is a different beast'. Formula cars are open-wheel, involve a huge budget, and are very technical. 'What we do is production-based racing, but the competition, pressure, and intensity are just as real. It might be less glamorous, but the strategy and mental game are all universal,' she said. To prepare for her races, Lam does simulator training to improve her driving, reaction times and decision-making skills. 'They are all important because during a race, you are constantly under pressure,' she said. Off-track training includes gym work for muscle endurance and heat resistance, and on-track training takes place during test days and practice sessions with the race car. FACING UP TO NAYSAYERS At 1.52m tall and weighing 52 kg, the petite Lam says her biggest challenge is keeping up with the physical demands of her sport. 'I've to train harder to keep up in endurance races,' she said. And then, there are also comments such as 'girls can't drive,' or 'you sure you know what you're doing?' that Lam gets. 'Sometimes they don't even say it aloud, it's in the way they dismiss you, or talk over you, or people being surprised when I debate about something car-related that may be unpopular but right,' she said. 'Being a woman in this space often means having to prove yourself twice as hard just to be seen as an equal. But I think that's why I keep going. Being underestimated can either break or fuel you. I chose to let it fuel me.' Her parents were worried initially about her love for motorsports. 'Racing isn't the safest or most conventional path, but over time, they've seen how dedicated I am, and are now super supportive.' FUNDING HER CAREER Racing is an expensive sport, and a race weekend in Southeast Asia can cost between S$3,000 and S$15,000, depending on the race car, location, tyres, fuel, transport and race team. And that's not including training or repairs. 'Compared to something like badminton, where you just need a racket, shoes, and a court, racing is on a whole other scale. To me, racing comes first. However, I definitely can't afford it out of pocket,' said Lam. She realised early on that securing sponsors was key to her journey. 'I started content creation out of necessity because it was the only way to really put myself out there. Content creation is just one way I fight for survival in this sport,' she said. Lam has over 18,000 followers on TikTok and more than 69,000 followers on Instagram, mostly males aged 25 to 44. Besides posting on her races, she also posts car reviews, and car factory visits. 'I always prioritise creating content that I genuinely like or feel would be interesting or helpful for my audience. If it's not fun or meaningful, I won't take the job as I won't post what I don't believe in.' Besides race entry and car costs, the sponsorship money pays for tyres, travel, transport, gear, even things like mechanics and technical support. But more importantly, it helps sponsors get their brand out there. 'Race suits, flags and apparel are walking billboards, and race cars are wrapped with sponsors' logos. I usually joke that I'm a walking advertisement, with logos on the race suit, apparel, helmet, car, and all,' quipped Lam. LIFE OFF THE TRACK Besides being a race driver and content creator, Lam is also vice-president of the Hamster Society Singapore, a non-profit, volunteer group that rescues and rehabilitates abandoned and abused hamsters. 'Watching these small animals heal, trust again, and slowly turn into their best selves after everything they've been through, gives me the most peace and happiness,' said Lam. She added: 'Long naps after races are the best recovery. Otherwise, I love riding my motorbike with friends. It's a different kind of freedom being on two wheels rather than four, sometimes.'
