Animal Lovers League founder had good intentions, but fundraising efforts not successful: Shanmugam

The owner of the no-kill shelter Animal Lovers League (ALL) had faced financial difficulties and waning donations and funds, which could have contributed to the neglect of the over 200 animals in its care, K Shanmugam said at a media doorstop on Dec. 10 at ALL's premises.

Nevertheless, the owner had "good intentions", K Shanmugam noted.

ALL was recently put under the spotlight after volunteers surfaced issues of neglect and poor conditions at its premises.

Volunteers alleged that there have been more deaths than adoptions at the shelter, and shared that they have had to pay for the animals' veterinary bills out of their own pocket.

Due to the shelter's poor management of its animals, AVS announced on Dec. 8 that it would not renew ALL's tenancy at its current space at The Animal Lodge.

As such, ALL will be required to return its units to AVS as soon as possible.

Owner had 'good intentions'

In a Dec. 9 Facebook post, Shanmugam said that he has known ALL founder Mohan for over a decade, and described him as "kind, compassionate and humble".

Abandoned animals and strays which "could be in a worse off condition" if left outside, now "have a second chance at life because of Mohan's hard work", he said.

He added that ALL faced funding challenges after Covid-19.

"It has not been easy for Mohan and ALL over the past few years, especially after Covid. Donations reduced. Funds dwindled. And most of the funds received went towards the medical bills for animals."

At the doorstop, Shanmugam noted that ALL "is one of the very few, if not the only [non-profit], which takes in very sick, very old animals".

This means that the cost of caring for the animals till their end of life is "very high".

Shanmugam noted in his post that ALL could have experienced "lapses along the way, [and] matters could have been better managed".

However, he emphasised at the doorstop that Mohan and his team had "good intentions" and "very good hearts".

"He should perhaps have sought help publicly, when his funds ran low. And been more realistic about what he and his team could do," he wrote on Facebook.

AVS had given ALL time to pay arrears

Shanmugam added that he "can understand the position AVS has taken", and that the agency has been "exceptionally lenient" towards ALL.

To support the shelter, AVS has kept rental low and waived service and conservancy charges.

AVS had also given ALL time to pay the rental arrears they owed, which have thus far amounted to about four and a half years' worth of rent.

"But AVS is a Government organisation. Questions can be asked, will be asked, as to why they are not collecting the rent that is due. Because all the other tenants, all the other AWGs are paying rent. If AVS allows one NGO not to pay rent, then others can ask: why do they have to pay rent too? We’ve got to be fair."

In fact, AVS has also helped to arrange the instalment payments for ALL's arrears, he said.

In light of the complaints and feedback made by volunteers, Shanmugam noted that AVS had to take action, or face allegations of negligence.

"So AVS really is in a difficult position. They have tried to be sympathetic to ALL. But the Government has to act, when members of the public provide information that is of concern."

While ALL's intentions "were noble", they should have assessed their situation more carefully earlier, Shanmugam said.

Shanmugam added that he has discussed the case with Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan, who acknowledged the issue of having a supply of pets from breeders which end up being abandoned.

Did not realise ALL was being investigated

Shanmugam also shared that when he put up his Facebook post, he did not realise ALL was under investigation by the Commissioner of Charities (COC).

"I dont carry a candle for ALL. And I realised that even though I speak in my personal capacity, it has larger implications."

In a Dec. 9 statement, COC said that it is looking into ALL's governance and administration, and that the investigation follows feedback received, as well as the shelter's non-compliance with the Charity Act.

However, Shanmugam added that he had decided to speak up as people were criticising the shelter, AVS and the Ministry of National Development after the case came to light.

He once again reiterated that although he could not vouch for what ALL founders "did or what they didn't do", Mohan is a "committed" and "sincere" person, who has "given a lot of his life to this work".

"I have interacted with Mohan and his team in a variety of context dealing with animals, and that was the reason why I put up my post. I felt that some sympathy was necessary."

Top photo from Huang and Mothership