STRAY dogs in Ipoh, Perak, now have a better chance of survival following the agreement reached between Ipoh Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) and Ipoh City Council (MBI).
MBI has agreed to send captured stray dogs to a new shelter in Simpang Pulai set up by ISPCA and several non-governmental organisations.
Called Claw Matter, the shelter that operates as a halfway home for strays to be neutered and released, started operations on May 17.
ISPCA president Ricky Soong said MBI’s enforcement team would send the captured strays to the shelter once a week.
He said Claw Matter could handle only 20 dogs at the premises every two weeks and house a maximum of 60 animals at a time.
“Once they are sent here, we will take the animals to a veterinary clinic for a check-up, get them neutered and tagged with a microchip
“Before putting them up for adoption, we will check if they are healthy or not.
Soong (left) and MBI officers witnessing the first batch of captured stray dogs arriving at Claw Matter. — ILI AQILAH/The Star
“Some dogs can be feral and are not suitable as pets,” Soong told reporters after observing the first batch of captured stray dogs sent by MBI to Claw Matter.
The halfway home-cum- shelter was set up to reduce the number of stray dogs being released near the Papan landfill and for ISPCA to run its trap, neuter and release (TNR) programme.
Among the other non-governmental organisations involved are Perak Animal Welfare Society, Mutts and Mittens, Utopia Pertubuhan Penyayang Haiwan, Ipoh Stray Welfare and Protection Society, Ipoh Jaya Animal Haven, Gimme Hope and Kiko Food Bank.
Soong said the majority of stray dogs rescued by NGOs had not been adopted.
“It is sad that in all the years we have been taking in stray dogs, no one has ever come to adopt them.
“We hope there will be kind animal lovers out there who will be interested in adopting these furry friends.
“Right now, we don’t accept walk-ins to the shelter.
“Anyone interested in adopting can go to our Facebook page at ISPCA Online Adoption Forum,” he said.
