GEORGE TOWN, Jan 5 — The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) will adopt a trap, neuter and release (TNR) policy for stray cats and dogs with the opening of its new vector control and veterinary services centre here.
Local government, traffic management and flood mitigation committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said MBPP had been accused of being cruel by putting down stray animals it captured previously.
“With this building that has a larger capacity for stray animals, MBPP can use the TNR policy for stray dogs and cats so that after neutering the animals, we will release them,” he said at a press conference after visiting the newly completed centre today.
He added that these animals can also be adopted after being neutered.
“This way, we will be able to control the population of stray cats and dogs in the streets but we can see this immediately, it will take at least five years before we see a reduction in strays on the streets,” he said.
Under the TNR policy, MBPP will only trap stray dogs and cats that were reported by the public, bring it back to the centre to be neutered before releasing the animals.
The RM8.24 million centre covers 6,026 square metres and consists of a two-storey building with cages that can accommodate 100 dogs and 32 cats as well as stables for six goats, three horses and six cows.
Chow said goats, horses and cows found wandering on the streets will be brought to the centre for safekeeping until claimed by the owners.
However, the owners will have to pay a compound fine before their animals are returned.
Chow also said MBPP will also be holding responsible pet ownership campaigns to reduce the number of pets being abandoned on the streets.
MBPP will also be collaborating with an international animal protection organisation to conduct neutering services of stray dogs in another animal centre in Relau.
The centre in Relau is an animal shelter by Penang Animal Sanctuary but another section of the shelter will be used for the TNR programme.
Between 30 to 40 strays can be trapped, neutered and released in the vector control centre in George Town each month while the Relau centre can handle more cases, up to 100 strays per month.
“MBPP is also open to collaborations with any animal groups or veterinary clinics to conduct responsible pet ownership campaigns,” Chow said.
The new vector control centre will be fully operational after Chinese New Year next month.
