In a distant industrial sector of Singapore, a group of volunteers dedicates their Saturday nights to providing food for stray animals that seek refuge around factories in the area. The Stray Affairs, a local animal welfare group, consists of six core members who have become a familiar presence in the region. Surprisingly, it is the migrant workers residing and working there who, on the remaining six days of the week, ensure the well-being and sustenance of these animals.
Approximately 150 dogs and 100 cats call this industrial estate home, freely roaming its courtyards at night, coexisting harmoniously with the workers amid machinery and pallets. Thirty to forty migrant workers take on the responsibility of caring for these animals during the week. They not only distribute food provided by volunteers but also administer medicines and monitor their health, reporting injuries or disappearances.
One significant contributor to The Stray Affairs is a dormitory manager known as Uncle Ramesh, a worker from Tamil Nadu who has been in Singapore for over 20 years. He fosters cats and has formed close bonds with them. Uncle Ramesh is deeply involved in the well-being of these animals, even tracking the progress of a kitten he had to monitor for a viral infection through text messages.
On Saturday nights, volunteers bring 60kg to 80kg of food for the animals. The volunteers, coordinated by Ng Weiling, prepare meals, including donated beef and chicken. Divided among drivers, the food is distributed to various feeding stops, allowing volunteers to monitor the animals and engage with the migrant workers who play a crucial role in their care.
These migrant workers, often considered transient in the industrial fringe, have developed unexpected bonds with the stray animals, serving as their caretakers. They act as the “eyes and ears on the street” and willingly contribute to the animals’ welfare. Despite the challenges of industrial life, this unique collaboration showcases the compassionate efforts of migrant workers in ensuring the well-being of stray animals, fostering a harmonious coexistence between man and animal in an industrial setting.
