Founded in 2022 by six animal lovers, The Stray Affairs feeds approximately 150 dogs and 100 cats.
Without the volunteers, these animals are at risk of malnutrition and dehydration, as their surroundings provide little access to food and clean water.
The environments they live in also pose significant dangers to the animals because of the presence of heavy machinery, moving vehicles and hazardous materials that can cause injury or death.
“I felt their life was hard enough living in such conditions. So I tried to make a difference, one stray at a time,” said The Stray Affairs co-founder Daryl Mah, 26, who has been feeding strays since his junior college days.
The areas covered by the group – Kranji, Lim Chu Kang and Neo Tiew – are mainly industrial estates, which are the preferred refuge for stray animals.
“Housing estates are usually developed and bustling with human activity,” explained Mr Mah, a final-year student at Nanyang Technological University.
“Industrial estates, on the other hand, are quieter, with forested patches and large factory spaces that offer plenty of hiding spots where strays can go unnoticed.”
Even as more factories and warehouses in these areas are abandoned (top) after their leases end, strays continue to reside within the compounds because of their familiarity with the environment.
The animals are not trapped and can squeeze through gaps in fences and gates.
Since its inception, The Stray Affairs has steadily grown to include 432 volunteers aged 20 to 54, representing a diverse mix of students, civil servants and professionals from the private sector.
About 10 to 18 volunteers participate in the weekly missions.
They feed the strays on Saturday nights, to minimise disturbance to the people who work in the industrial estates.
The volunteers first gather at a warehouse in Kranji to mix 70kg to 80kg of food (below), dividing it into portions.
Teams of four then spread out across Kranji, Lim Chu Kang and Neo Tiew, delivering the meals to the waiting strays from 7pm to 10pm.
Another co-founder, Ms Ng Weiling (below), dedicates almost an entire day every fortnight to preparing food for the strays.
“Even though it is tiring to prepare such a large quantity of food, the strays are counting on us,” said Ms Ng, who declined to give her age.
“Stray cats often hunt for rats (below) and lizards, while dogs may search for food by rummaging through bins or eating workers’ leftover scraps. If no food is found, both the cats and dogs can go hungry until feeders arrive to help.”
Initially, the founding members bore the expenses themselves.
“It costs almost $300 to feed the strays every week,” said Ms Ng.
Over time, donations of food and money began to trickle in from supporters, but financial strain remains a persistent challenge.
Other difficulties also arise, including occasions when factory owners insult them for feeding the strays outside their premises.
There is a misconception that feeding of strays is illegal or disruptive.
“When people find out I feed strays, I often get questions like, ‘Isn’t it illegal? Do the strays bite?’” said Ms Ng.
While the National Parks Board (NParks) regulates feeding in nature reserves and parks, feeding strays elsewhere is permitted if done responsibly – avoiding litter and public nuisance, which includes trespassing.
In restricted areas, however, feeding must be avoided as it could attract wildlife, posing health risks and environmental issues.
“While feeding community cats and free-roaming dogs is often well intentioned, it requires responsible practices,” said Dr Audrey Chen, director of the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) under NParks.
“By adopting these responsible feeding practices, we can significantly reduce public health concerns and safety issues, fostering a better environment for the peaceful coexistence of humans and animals.”
Guidelines for responsible feeding are available in handbooks on caring for community cats and stray dogs, published through collaborations with animal welfare groups and accessible on the AVS website.
The Stray Affairs seeks permission from factory owners before entering their premises. If entry is denied, the volunteers will slide the food portions under the gate for the animals.
The group also ensures responsible feeding practices, such as providing only 500g of food per dog and one small can per cat, while prioritising cleanliness.
“We scoop food into containers and pour water separately, cleaning up thoroughly after the strays have eaten,” said Mr Mah.
The volunteers also go the extra mile by removing other rubbish (below) in the area to set a positive example.
While information on responsible stray feeding is readily available on the NParks website, Mr Mah still recommends partnering with someone who is more familiar and experienced.
“If you’re unsure, collaborate with community feeders. This prevents overfeeding and helps maintain a routine,” he said, while carefully sliding food under the gate of an abandoned factory.
The work of The Stray Affairs goes beyond feeding. The group also helps the animals find homes or shelters and takes them to the vet. Strays often face health problems, from malnutrition to injuries.
For example, a dog named Bobby was diagnosed with a tick-borne disease, babesiosis, which attacks red blood cells.
Over several months, the costs for triage, specialist treatment and palliative care by multiple veterinary clinics totalled about $7,504, even after discounts from partner clinics. Unfortunately, Bobby died of the disease on Oct 15.
“Vet bills are insanely high. The same paracetamol at a vet costs three times more than at a polyclinic,” Mr Mah said. “But nothing feels worse than watching an animal suffer because we can’t afford treatment.”
When the volunteers take a stray to a clinic, they cover the costs out of their own pockets before turning to online platforms to seek donations.
On the rare occasion that The Stray Affairs receives excess funds, the surplus is allocated for feeding the strays or reserved for future treatments. Currently, the group lacks sufficient funds even for routine vet consultations, let alone emergency care.
When funds fall short, the volunteers personally cover the difference.
To raise awareness and recruit volunteers, The Stray Affairs also participates in outreach events such as the Pawsome Pawty, organised by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or SPCA. These events educate the public on responsible feeding and animal care, inspiring new members to join the cause.
The volunteers also extend their support to migrant workers (below), who often encounter strays at dormitories or workplaces. By providing canned food and guidance, The Stray Affairs helps the migrant workers feed the animals safely and responsibly throughout the week.
“The end goal is to have no more strays in Singapore. We know it’s a long shot, but we can take baby steps, whether it’s through taking them to the vet for neutering or helping to find them a shelter or a home,” said Ms Ng.
Until then, The Stray Affairs continues its mission, driven by compassion and a deep commitment to giving strays a chance at a better life.