march 2019 - june 2019
the right to live
Located at The Animal Lodge in Sungei Tengah,
The Right To Live (TRTL) is a no-kill shelter
that is home to 103 dogs.
TRTL is founded by Rodney and Maria,
who also fund the shelter independently.
The couple started their journey as rescuers in 2014
when they were led to meet two families of dogs-
MJ, Mandy, Manny and Brownie &
Nai Nai, Papa, Mama, Brother, Sandy and Sandra.
They found themselves in desperate need
of a space and put them up at Rodney's
Vacant Warehouse as a temporary solution.
It wasn't long after that Rodney & Maria
rented a semi-detached property to house them,
and they haven't looked back since.
Upon arrival at The Animal Lodge, where all tenants of Pasir Ris Farmway have now relocated to, you are greeted with the sounds of barks and the smell of four legged friends. A short walk down a small hill and a bit more will take you to TRTL.
The dogs sense your arrival quicker than you think they do, and boy do they get excited. All of them voice their welcome greetings and for some, excitement fuels their jumps so much you see their heads pop up from the overhead grills as you walk by the corridors.
The shelter is split into 4 units- all equipped with separated kennels, multiple fans and ample light- with the interior specially renovated according to Rodney's requests.
There are currently 3 full-timers at TRTL, all of which know the dogs' names and their unique quirks by heart.
All 103 of the dogs come from various parts of Singapore- some of them with tragic stories. Maria and Rodney, who are not ones to give up, have personally removed a handful of them from dangerous situations that range from abuse, poison, road accidents and more. They tirelessly fought for the dogs' lives by sending them to countless vets till they got treated. Many of the dogs were advised to be put down by vets, but they refused. Today, every dog they have rescued has a home in their shelter and it is all because, like their name, they believe every animal has the right to live.
At a glance, you are able to identify the dogs that didn't get as much time outside.
Each unit has a whiteboard with the name of every dog it houses to keep track of when they've been showered and walked.
To help put things into perspective, we asked TRTL for an overview of their monthly expenses.
TRTL monthly expenses
800 SGD
9,000 SGD
60 SGD ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 SGD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50 SGD ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Cost for Water & Light ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Cost for Staff --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food Per Dog
Boarding Fees Per Dog
Tick Prevention Per Dog
Total Monthly Cost: 23,190 SGD*
Total Annual Cost: 278,280 SGD*
*Excludes Vet Fees
It's a whole lot to take in, we know.
For a lot of us, it's such a struggle just to make ends meet that donating is beyond our means.
But here's where we come in!
Our goal is not just to sell eyewear, but to also let you know that there are so many different ways we can contribute.
Here are some:
1. Spread The Word
It's that simple! A simple conversation with a friend can do more than you think.
2. Volunteer
What better way to spend a few hours of your free day than with animals who have so much love to give!
Here's the best part: You can do it for as long as you're comfortable with.
You can bathe, walk and even spend time with them in their kennels with cuddles and kisses.
We made a guide to volunteering at TRTL. Check it out here.
3. Adopt/Foster
Looking for a forever friend? Choosing to adopt over purchasing one from a pet store is already a huge step forward.
If you are unable to commit to an animal long-term but can home one for a short period of time, fostering might be for you. Some animals require fosterers because they need attentive care and medication, so make sure you are
well-equipped to give them the care they need!
The Right To Live
59 Sungei Tengah Road
Block S, #01-37/38/39/40
Singapore (699014)
Contact via Whatsapp: +65 9819 2839
For a guide to volunteering, click here.