IPOH, Aug 24 — The lives of more than 100 stray dogs caught by two local councils in Perak have been changed forever following the opening of a private shelter in Simpang Pulai in July.
Instead of releasing them at Papan landfill, the pooches were released at places they were initially caught after being spayed or neutered and continue to receive the care of feeders.
The private shelter, a joint collaboration between the Ipoh Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals (ISPCA) and Utopia Pertubuhan Penyayang Haiwan (Utopia), had been receiving dogs caught by the local councils of Ipoh and Batu Gajah weekly since the shelter opened.
ISPCA president Ricky Soong said for the past one month, a total of 104 dogs had been sent to the shelter.
He added that except for Batu Gajah, the Ipoh City Council would send dogs caught by their enforcement team every Monday while Batu Gajah had only sent dogs caught by their enforcement team once since the shelter began operation.
“This is because there had been no dog-catching exercise being conducted by the Batu Gajah District Council hence no dogs were brought over.”
Speaking to Malay Mail, Soong said the dogs were a culmination of dogs caught by the two council’s enforcement teams from Tuesdays to Saturdays before they are sent to the shelter on Mondays.
Soong added that the shelter was now operating at its maximum capacity.
“Currently, there are 58 dogs and the shelter could only take in 60 dogs.”
Soong said the turnover rate was not as high as anticipated.
“When we planned the shelter initially, we had only wanted to keep the dogs for a maximum of two weeks. This is to give feeders time to sterilise the dogs before releasing them at areas they were caught.”
However, due to financial constraints, some feeders could not keep to the allotted time frame.
“In spite of that, feeders work hard to make it. They just need a little more time than the earlier planned two weeks,” he said, adding that feeders are highly dependent on public donations to ensure the success of the programme.
Feeders, he said, are charged between RM150 and RM250 by veterinarians to spay or neuter one dog.
He added all dogs that had been sterilised would wear the red collar with the letters ISPCA TNRM that is sponsored by the society.
Soong added that the red collar was to ensure the dogs are not picked up during the council’s enforcement rounds.
“Even if they are caught, they would be returned to their feeders.”
In the event the dogs are a nuisance to the people at places they were released, they would be relocated at secluded places such as farms while dogs found to endanger people such as injuring or chasing vehicles would be put down.
It was previously reported that seven animal welfare organisations have agreed to join the programme.
They are Perak Animal Welfare Society-TNRM Perak, Mutts and Mittens, Utopia, Ipoh Stray Welfare and Protection Society, Ipoh Jaya Animals Haven, Gimme Hope and Kiko Food Bank.
Prior to the establishment of the shelter, the councils would release unclaimed strays at the landfill leaving them exposed to the elements.
While there are feeders who feed them, many end up being victims of accidents or sickness. Utopia is backed by a group of six businessmen from Ipoh who wanted to give back to society.
Animal lovers wanting to help rescuers can contact the participating organisations or call Soong (012-518 6915 or 016-550 6915).
