PAWS AT PEACE

Fur Folks Home provides a lifeline for old and terminally ill pets, offering day and overnight care, and a compassionate environment for end-of-life care.

- Lim Yaohui

In a quiet corner of Upper Thomson, a sanctuary nestled in lush greenery provides care for an often-overlooked group: ageing, terminally ill, and disabled pets.

Fur Folks Home, co-founded by veterinarian Angeline Yang, is a palliative care centre and medical boarding facility dedicated to providing compassionate end-of-life care for pets including dogs, cats and rabbits.

Opened in November, it is the first standalone establishment of its kind in Singapore.

Dr Yang, 37, who has 13 years of veterinary experience, is also the co-owner of VetMobile SG, a mobile veterinary service providing at-home medical care for pets.

While doing house calls, she recognised a gap in the care available for old and ill animals, a need that became more apparent during the Covid-19 pandemic.

As people returned to work, she noticed a significant increase in pet owners seeking alternative care options for their ailing pets.

Some considered hiring a domestic helper or a pet sitter, but these options can become expensive over time, especially if the help is needed daily, says Dr Yang.

"I encountered many cases where owners of senior or special needs animals, like those that are paraplegic or paralysed, were compelled to stop working. It was a huge mental strain, and it wasn't healthy for the caregiver to stay home all the time," she says.

Dr Yang also received requests for euthanasia from owners who could not manage the caregiving responsibilities anymore.

"Many of these pets could have experienced a better quality of life with just a few days of dedicated care (by professionals), someone to establish a routine, maintain their hygiene, and support their well-being," she says.

So she decided to set up Fur Folks Home, which prioritises short-term, specialised care for animals and does not offer long-term stays, to prevent issues of abandonment.