Latest news with #animalwelfare
CNA
6 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.'
The Independent
19 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Cranswick reveals boss lands £4.6m pay package amid pig farm abuse scandal
Meat giant Cranswick revealed its boss has seen his pay package swell by more than a third to £4.6 million as one of its farms remains at the centre of animal abuse claims. In its annual report, the firm – Britain's largest pork supplier – said chief executive Adam Couch landed a £1.7 million annual bonus and potential long-term share awards worth £1.9 million, on top of his £847,400 salary in the year to March. His total pay jumped 34% higher, up from £3.4 million in 2023-24. The East Yorkshire-based group also revealed that Mr Couch saw his salary hiked by more than £127,000 to £974,600 on April 1 as part of a pay review. Details of his pay and bonuses comes less than two months after abuse claims emerged against a pig farm run by the business. The pork producer suspended using Northmoor Farm in Lincolnshire after covert footage emerged appearing to show workers at the site abusing piglets. Workers were filmed appearing to hold piglets by their hind legs and slamming them to the ground, using a banned method of killing the animals known as 'piglet thumping'. Major supermarkets Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco suspended Northmoor Farm as a supplier, and Cranswick shortly afterwards launched an independent review into its animal welfare policies and livestock operations. In its annual report on Friday, Mr Couch said: 'We have always placed the highest importance on animal health and wellbeing, and continuously aim to have the most stringent standards in the sector. 'We take seriously any instance, anywhere in our supply chain, where behaviour fails to meet those standards. 'We are therefore instigating a new, fully independent, expert veterinarian review of all our existing animal welfare policies, together with a comprehensive review of our livestock operations across the UK. 'We will provide a further update on this work in due course.' On the chief executive's salary rise, the group's remuneration committee added in the report that there was 'very strong support' for the increase among shareholders. It added that his base salary previously did not 'appropriately and fairly reflect Adam's extensive experience and his exceptional contribution to the impressive performance of the business'. 'We believe it is critical to take decisive action now to ensure Adam is appropriately incentivised and retained to deliver Cranswick's long-term growth ambitions,' according to the committee. Cranswick's results last month showed record sales and profits for the past year. The firm revealed revenues grew by 6.8% to £2.72 billion for the year to March, compared with the previous year, while pre-tax profits grew by 14.6% to £181.6 million.
Telegraph
a day ago
- Telegraph
Egyptian man deported after kicking US Customs dog into the air
An Egyptian man has been deported from the US after kicking a customs dog so hard it flew into the air at an airport in Washington DC. Freddie, a five-year-old Beagle who works with US customs officials Hamed Ramadan Bayoumy Aly Marie pleaded guilty to kicking Freddie, a five-year-old beagle who works with US customs officials to detect smuggled agricultural products at Washington Dulles International Airport. Freddie and his handler were on patrol at 6.30am local time on Tuesday when he detected a suspicious suitcase that had arrived on a flight from Cairo. Hamed Aly Marie, who owned the suitcase, spoke with a CBP officer before he kicked Freddie 'so hard that he was lifted off of the ground,' a federal complaint reads. CBP officers immediately handcuffed Marie before turning him over to homeland security for prosecution. They later found a raft of banned agricultural products inside his suitcase, including 25kg of beef meat, 20kg of rice, 7kg of aubergine, cucumbers, and bell peppers, 1kg of corn seeds, and some herbs. Freddie, who weighs 11kg, later required a trip to the emergency vet, where he was treated for contusions to his right rib. Marie was made to pay the $840 (£611) bill before being sent back to Egypt on a flight on Thursday. The incident took place in the baggage claim area of the airport, which is located in Virginia. Christine Waugh, a senior CBP officer, said being caught with such an amount of food did not mean Marie could 'violently assault a defenceless beagle'. Ms Waugh said custom officials 'rely heavily on our K9 partners' and said Freddie was 'just doing his job', adding: 'Any malicious attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.' 'CBP will continue to work with our investigating and prosecuting partners to deal swift and severe justice to perpetrators.'
Forbes
a day ago
- Forbes
99 Dangerous TikTok Accounts You Must Not Follow
Do not become a TikTok victim. While most TikTok warnings focus on the perceived threat from its ownership and whether or not U.S. data is openly or secretly transmitted to China, there are other threats for its vast user base as well — these are very real and happening now. The team at Guardio has just warned that 'there's an ongoing scam on TikTok involving dozens of accounts that post emotional videos that link to websites that either collect donations (usually claiming to support animals) or sell products.' The videos (1,2) 'are highly manipulative and some have millions of views and hundreds of comments.' The products are as you'd expect, 'cow slippers, dog lamps, and more.' The researchers say these videos 'often ask viewers to 'watch for 9 seconds to help the cause' and are designed to tug at your emotions to encourage donations or purchases.' But it's all fake. 'Some likely use AI or deepfakes, while others use videos stolen from real accounts without consent.' And as is the tendency with TikTok, it's spreading like wildfire as 'new fake accounts keep appearing on the platform.' Unsurprisingly, Guardio warns that 'if you donate through these scam sites, your money won't reach any animal shelter. And if you buy something, you might receive it — but it's usually a cheap product, not the handmade item the video promised.' The warning for TikTok users is not to watch these videos as they're misleading fakes, but also more critically never to click on any links or buy any products or provide any information if asked. And even more simply — do not follow any of these accounts. These accounts also rely on casual shares and likes, spreading their dangerous viral content — do not do that either. You would be sending malicious links to your own followers, putting even more money into these scammers' pockets. Scam website preying on TikTok users While new accounts are being set up continually, below is the latest list from Guardio on those you should avoid. If you have any doubts, check the list: 1. @cozymoos 2. @injesusname7777 3. @customlovebricks 4. @milkstep5 5. @ 6. @ 7. @ 8. @thethronelight 9. @meow_slipps 10. @wonderglowlamps 11. @ 12. @happypowcollection1 13. @ 14. @maybleandclyde 15. @robersfarm7 16. @saddleslips 17. @ 18. @ 19. @mooberryslips 20. @ 21. @whiskerloafers 22. @potterbirkins 23. @cappyslippers 24. @cuddlecowslippers 25. @@purrpawshub 26. @ 27. @myfluffislippers 28. @myfluffislippers 29. @purrslippers 30. @Catslides 31. @catslidess 32. @plushpuff_ 33. @ 34. @faithrugs 35. @fluffislippersshop 36. @kittenkickss 37. @eternalembracelove 38. @pawzyco 39. @mooluxe_slippers 40. @fuzzyflips 41. @theholyblankets42. @ 43. @themooluxe 44. @davidsslippershop 45. @davidsslippersco 46. @fluffislippers2 47. @catslides2 48. @catslidesus 49. @plushypods 50. @kittykicksofficial 51. @flappybirdtoy 52. @flappyybirdyy 53. @ 54. @pawpawslippers 55. @ 56. @meowpaws_1 57. @mymeowslides 58. @pawsywawsi 59. @meowandvibes 60. @ 61. @ 62. @ 63. @cowslideslips 64. @ellyslides 65. @purrfits_ 66. @milkstep4 67. @shopdachslides 68. @purr_pads 69. @ 70. @moo_slips 71. @ 72. @meowwings_go 73. @shleepersco 74. @ 75. @pawmadeslippers 76. @moozyslipper 77. @zacapyslides 78. @pugfooty 79. @mymeowslides 80. @ 81. @doggydwellers 82. @fluffypaws327 83. @cuddlecowslipper 84. @moozies2 85. @swiftyslips86. @ 87. @ 88. @themoooves_ 89. @farmslippers_official 90. @mooluxe_slippers8 91. @ 92. @littledaisyslips 93. @stitch_timeofmygrandpa 94. @ 95. @papamooslippers 96. @snuggslipsrescue 97. @capybarakicks 98. @ 99. @shoppetwear
News.com.au
a day ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Mexican lawmakers vote to ban dolphin shows
Mexico's Congress on Thursday approved a ban on entertainment shows involving dolphins and other marine mammals, the lower house announced, delighting animal rights campaigners. The reform, which won unanimous support, has already been passed by the upper house and now goes to the president to be signed into law. It means that dolphinariums will be phased out in Mexico, which is home to eight percent of the world's captive dolphins, according to figures published by Congress. Marine mammals will only be allowed to be caught in the wild or bred in captivity for conservation purposes. The NGO Humane World for Animals Mexico hailed the vote as "a decisive move toward ending the exploitation of whales, dolphins and other marine mammals for entertainment." The ban marked "a major stride forward in animal welfare and conservation efforts in Mexico," it added. The NGO said that there were an estimated 350 dolphins in captivity in Mexico that would now have to be relocated to sea pens.
