Hotel greets your pets

The Straits Times
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Life!Mailbag

Hotel greets your pets

AT THE Regent Singapore, we welcome guests with dogs and cats during their stay at the hotel.

On top a welcome letter to their pet, we also provide dog and cat amenities such as a bed, toy, mineral water and a bowl. Our staff are also briefed to greet the guest's pet by name when we see it.

However, we do ask our guests to put their pet on a leash and also to sign a form bearing responsibility for any damage to furniture, sofa covers or wallpaper.

Camilla Chiam
Director of Public Relations
The Regent Singapore
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As far as I'm concerned, Asia has never been much of a pet friendly continent. I never knew of any hotels in Singapore being pet friendly, until this morning. As human mummy to two adorable and most-time-well-behaved canine kids, I often find places discriminating the four legged. I'm not sure I understand why.

I have been to Copenhagen and Malmo. I see pets everywhere, from shopping malls to dining places. It's a norm. Pets are integrated as part of the society. Why can't this be achieved in Asia?

In Singapore, even a harmless homeless feral cat resting on a car parked in a public carpark is highly intolerable. The complaint usually meant the cat would be culled and killed. The car is a non-living, non-breathing, non-bleeding and non-feeling thing. The cat is the opposite. It is homeless not by choice. The complaint is not choiceless. Is this unkindness necessary? Is this civilisation? Can't we live and let live?

When it comes to animal welfare and humanity, Asians, albeit the small handful making the exception, pale so much in comparison to non-Asians. I cannot explain this phenomenon. Is it because Asians are too realistic? Too engrossed with money making? Too selfish? Have too little love? Define love as a feeling limited to human only? Or, have smaller hearts? In this aspect, I feel very ashamed.

I have met the founder of Soi Dog Foundation during my maiden trip to Phuket in Sep 04. She's not Asian, she's a Dutch. Her name was Margot Park. My very good friend and I extended our love in monetary form as we are geographically restricted to volunteer. The chinese have this saying, 有钱出钱 有力出力。 After Margot left the non-profit organization, Husband and wife, John and Gill Dalley took over the foundation and continued their efforts in helping the helpless. Gill, who had her two legs amputated from a rare bacteria infection in the course of her rescue work, was named the Asian of the Year, honoured by our very own Channel NewsAsia. The irony? She's not Asian.


The unsung heroine, Gill Dalley

The article:
A former Leeds woman who overcame disability to dedicate her life to helping stray dogs has been named Asian of the Year... and she's not even Asian.

Watch this clip - can you feel the love? I can. That's why I was so moved I cried. These people are angels in disguise.


In Miami, there is a dedicated police squad for animals. Dr. Jane Goodall spent her life in the most extraordinary way. She's a British.

The streets of Copenhagen and Malmo C. Pets are part of the nation.