Gone but never forgotten: A monk conducting the ‘Pets Soul Liberation Ceremony’ at the Kuan Im See Temple at Burmah Road last year. Koay says since he started the service in 2019, the number of pet owners taking part in the ritual has increased annually.
GEORGE TOWN: Even pets are not being forgotten this Hungry Ghost Festival, with many paying homage to their deceased snakes, hamsters, guinea pigs, tortoises, monkeys and parrots.
It is a growing trend now to see people praying and making offerings to the souls of their former pets.
My Pet Funeral owner Koay Teng Chin said since he started the “Pets Soul Liberation Ceremony” in 2019, the number of pet owners taking part in the ritual has increased annually.
“Pets are also part of the family and deserve to be honoured, so I decided to organise a dedicated prayer session for them,” he said.
Koay said when he first started, 242 pet owners registered.
The number has grown to over 600 for this year’s ceremony scheduled at the Kuan Im See Temple at Burmah Road tomorrow.
He said a registration fee of RM50 is collected from each pet owner to cover costs.
“The remainder is used to finance the rescue of strays and other charities,” he said.
Koay said this year, RM5,000 has been donated to the International Aid for the Protection and Welfare of Animals, Tzu Chi (RM4,000), Penang Cat Defenders Association (RM2,000), Pure Lotus Hospice and Cancer Foundation (RM4,000), Save A Stray Animal (RM1,000), and Rice for the Homeless (RM5,100).
“The plan is to assist more charities.
“Owners may prepare their pets’ favourite food to be offered in the temple. They are encouraged to bring offerings of pet food which they can either take back or offer to be donated to animal welfare organisations,” he said, adding that the ceremony will be broadcast live on https://www.facebook.com/mypetfuneral/ from 12.30pm.
For more information, contact Koay at 012-4252217.
Registration can be made via https://rebrand.ly/mpfchantingregistration.
Koay said My Pet Funeral, set up in 2018, had performed 5,737 pet cremations up to last year.
“Besides cats and dogs, we have handled cremations for snakes, hamsters, guinea pigs, tortoises, monkeys and parrots,” he said.
“A basic cremation service starts at RM200, while a deluxe package with a coffin for the pet and a monk chanting prayers can come up to RM1,500,” he added.
