Calling All Animal Lovers!
There’s nothing like being among a bunch of cute, lively critters to liven up a day out.
By Tan Yan Ni
If you’re an animal lover, chances are you’ve been to Singapore’s two most popular attractions – the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari. But did you know there are lesser-known but equally interesting spots where you can get up close and friendly with animals and enjoy their adorable antics?
Check out these four places for your next animal-themed outing:
Have a ‘goat’ time
Interact with friendly goats or share a bottle of goat milk with your friend at Hay Dairies – Singapore’s only goat farm. Located at Lim Chu Kang in the north of Singapore, it is home to more than 800 goats and produces fresh goat milk using state-of-the-art milking, pasteurising and bottling technology.
Interested to see some milking in action? Drop by in the morning between 9am and 10.30am. After the milking session, take a stroll down the goat viewing trail where you can pet or feed the goats at designated petting zones.
Entry to Hay Dairies is free for groups of less than 10 people.
Experience the kampung life
Step back in time when you enter the Animal Resort, mixture of a bird sanctuary, animal farm and petting zoo located just off Jalan Kayu in northwestern Singapore.
The resort is modelled after a rustic kampung, with turkeys, chickens and geese roaming freely around its spacious grounds. Rabbits and guinea pigs, for instance, are housed in a wooden shed.
Want some attention? Get a pack of animal feed and watch the geese and turkeys flock enthusiastically around you and your friend. You can buy a variety of food for the animals on-site. Don’t forget to pay PIN Number a visit, too. The former racehorse is the star of The Animal Resort and enjoys the occasional carrot or hay treat.
Entrance to The Animal Resort is free.
Enjoy some feline fun
Let good conversation flow over coffee, cake and the soothing sound of purring at Meomi Cat Café, located at North Bridge Road.
The café houses about seven cats, which are always ready for a treat or to play. Some interesting personalities include Oreo, the chubby American shorthair, and Mario, the adorable munchkin.
Quiet and intimate, this cafe is the perfect place to hang out with your cat-loving friends while enjoying the company of fluffy felines that roam freely around the café.
Entrance to Meomi Cat Café is $13 for the first hour and includes a complimentary drink, and $5 for each subsequent half hour.
Horsing around
Hitch a different kind of ride at Gallop Stable at Horsecity, where you can ride one of the stable’s retired racehorses. The public riding centre is one of Singapore’s largest and welcomes both experienced and non-experienced riders.
Besides joy rides and lessons for budding equestrians, Gallop Stable also has Trail Rides, where you can explore the hidden greenery of Bukit Timah on horseback. What’s more, you can even customise trail packages for special occasions like Valentine’s Day, proposals, birthdays and anniversaries! If you plan to visit the stable on a weekend or public holiday, don’t miss the pony-feeding sessions.
Entrance to Gallop Stable at Horsecity is free. Check the website for activity prices.