ABOUT YOKE LYE AND EVERY STRAY MATTERS
Yoke Lye is the founder of Every Stray Matters, a ground-up initiative in Singapore dedicated to animal rescue and welfare, with a particular focus on stray dogs.
What began as a personal calling has grown into a compassionate movement that champions volunteering, foster care, and the reimagining of how society engages with strays. Under Yoke Lye’s leadership, Every Stray Matters has become a beacon of hope for animals often overlooked or misunderstood.
At its heart, Every Stray Matters seeks to transform the public’s perception of strays in Singapore. The organisation challenges the narrative that strays are dangerous, dirty or disposable. Instead, it promotes a culture of empathy—one that sees strays not as threats, but as sentient beings deserving of dignity, care, and a second chance.
The work of Every Stray Matters goes far beyond feeding. With a core team of dedicated volunteers, the organisation undertakes the critical tasks of rescuing injured or vulnerable dogs, providing them with necessary veterinary care, and facilitating rehoming efforts. Each rescue is a labor of love, often involving late-night missions, medical emergencies and long-term rehabilitation.
In a city where rapid urbanisation can sometimes overshadow the needs of its most vulnerable inhabitants, Every Stray Matters stands as a reminder that compassion must be an indispensable part of progress. Through resilience, heart, and an unwavering belief in the value of every life, Every Stray Matters is not just rescuing dogs—it’s reshaping the soul of a society.
Can you share your journey as a changemaker – and what has kept you motivated to continue?
My journey as a changemaker started with the core belief that every stray animal deserves dignity and a fair chance at a better life. I truly believe that every stray has the capacity to love and to be loved. This conviction is what motivates me to change the negative stereotypes about strays in Singapore, especially among the younger generation.
These strays are the most misunderstood groups of animals. They are perceived as aggressive, dirty, and dangerous. However, just like any other animal, they yearn for acknowledgement, compassion, and a chance to be loved. If they haven’t shown that side yet, it’s only because our society has not given them the chance they truly deserve. This belief is what drives me to advocate, to educate and to inspire a culture of empathy towards strays.
The journey of Every Stray Matters began with my encounter with an abandoned golden retriever. I had initially asked his regular feeder if I could help take him off the streets. She agreed, but told me that if I wanted to rescue him, I also had to take his bonded companion along. That moment of commitment changed everything. Over time, I recognised the need for a sustainable solution, and this led to the creation of a feeding team and eventually the beginning of something much bigger.
“Every stray animal deserves a much better life. I truly believe that every stray has the capacity to love and to be loved”—Yoke Lye
What kind of change are you trying to create, and who does it impact the most?
I want to create awareness that strays still exist in Singapore. Just because we do not see them in our heartlands, does not mean they’re not out there. The goal is to change the public perception of strays from being seen as pests or threats to being recognised as lives worthy of care.
Every Stray Matters began as a simple Facebook page to document the stray’s struggles, and it gradually evolved into a community and movement of like-minded volunteers. Today, our work goes beyond feeding, encompassing rescue, medical rehabilitation, and rehoming to give strays a future.
This change I am working towards impacts not only the strays, but our society as a whole. It is about building empathy and nurturing a culture that sees strays not as threats but as lives worthy of care and compassion.
“These animals mean no harm. They are simply trying to survive in a world that hasn’t left much space for them”—Yoke Lye
What challenges have you faced in your changemaking journey, and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges in this journey is understanding that you can’t change people’s beliefs overnight. While we have been fortunate enough to have strong supporters who trust us in what we do and constantly encourage us, we have also encountered those who make assumptions, misunderstand our intentions or offer discouraging remarks.
And that’s part of the journey.
It’s impossible to please everyone. But we’ve learned to stand firm in what we believe in. We focus on the strays, on the lives we are trying to protect and uplift. We choose to accept the positive, to listen to the voices that uplift, and to ignore the white noise of criticism that doesn’t come from a place of understanding.
“At the end of the day, we keep our voices and our energy for the strays because they’re the ones who need it most.”—Yoke Lye
Who or what has made your changemaking journey possible?
My changemaking journey would not have been possible without the people and communities who have stood by me from the beginning.
First, my team of feeders, who go out relentlessly every night to feed the strays. Their dedication and consistency form the backbone of Every Stray Matters. Rain or shine, they show up and that’s something I will always be grateful for. Then, my sponsors and donors, who reach out time and again to help with vet fees, boarding expenses and urgent rescues. Their generosity has allowed us to act quickly when lives are at stake.
Our dedicated group of volunteers have consistently gone above and beyond in their commitment to our cause. They have made the effort to travel all the way to the shelter to assist with the rehabilitation, walking, and showering of our rescues.
In addition, they have willingly given up their weekends and personal time to support our adoption drives, helping to create public awareness and contribute to our fundraising efforts.
Their compassion, dedication, and hard work have played an invaluable role in improving the lives of our rescued animals and advancing our mission.
Who or what has made your changemaking journey possible?
As someone who began this journey as an individual rescuer, I am especially thankful for Ms Mary Soo, founder of Oasis Second Chance Animal Shelter. Her love for dogs and her willingness to help, without expecting anything in return is true benevolence.
I am also thankful for BFF Rescue Dogs. Without their unwavering support, we simply couldn’t have continued taking so many dogs off the streets in recent months.
“It’s this community, the feeders, the donors, and these generous partners that has made our work not only possible, but sustainable.”—Yoke Lye
How has this journey changed you personally, and what are your hopes for the future?
This journey has changed me in many ways. My priorities in life have shifted as the vision I have for these strays continues to grow. What used to be a personal mission has now become a lifelong commitment and it’s reshaped how I see compassion, responsibility, and the kind of world I want to live in.
More than just raising awareness, I hope that people, especially the younger generation will begin to see strays not as a problem, but as lives that deserve our care. I hope we grow into a society where strays are not only noticed, but accepted, given a place in our hearts, our homes, and our communities. They deserve the right to coexist with us, to live safely and with dignity.
What drives me forward? It’s the small, quiet acts of kindness I see when someone chooses to feed a stray, when a dog once terrified of humans starts wagging its tail, and when a family chooses adoption over buying.
Each of these moments is a sign that empathy is growing. And that’s what pushes me to keep going.
SG60 Series: Stories of Giving and Community Spirit
The SG60 Series is a storytelling and research initiative that reimagines philanthropy by spotlighting how everyday individuals, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are powerful changemakers in their own right.
We examine the challenges they face, the enablers that support them, and the impact they create. These insights offer ecosystem enablers a valuable opportunity to explore how they can better empower changemakers and catalyse grassroots action. Above all, the stories affirm that anyone can be a changemaker in their own way.
We are deeply grateful to all the changemakers who generously shared their journeys with us.
