Pawsible2022 (2) (3)

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A Better World

Make
It

Pawsible

For Our Furkids

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ABOUT

Through this magazine, you will understand
more about our lovely furkids and the actions

taken by the local government (MBPP)

A better world for
our furkids

Thank you for picking up this magazine. Through this magazine,
we hope you will understand more about our lovely furkids and the
actions taken by the state government as well as the Penang Island
City Council (MBPP) on solving issues on stray and abandoned
animals. We hope that by the end of the magazine, we will be able

to inspire you to adopt rather than buying pets.

Before getting a furkid, why not go through our pet ownership
assessment (on page 57) to make sure that you are ready to do
so? It’s a quick and simple questionnaire. Through this magazine,
you will get to know how to register your furkids the right way
through MBPP website. You will also be amazed at how many non-
governmental organisations in Penang that are helping our stray
and abandoned animals. The contact details are there, feel free to
contact them if you would want to volunteer or donate to support

their cause.

We also talked to some kind souls who volunteered to take care of
stray animals as well as adopted them at home. Their experiences
will definitely warm your heart. Let us together create a world that

is “pawsible” for our lovely furkids!

TABLE
OF

CONTENT

Five Chapter

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CH 01 CH 02

REMARKS EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO
Penang Chief Minister KNOW ABOUT TNR
(YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow) What is TNR?
Penang Local Government, Housing, Town and Background of TNR programme in Penang
Country Planning Committee Chairman Why do we release stray dogs back to the
(YB Jagdeep Singh Deo) community after the TNR programme?
Penang Island City Council mayor Animal Welfare Act 2015
(Dato’ Ar Yew Tung Seang) A more humane way to safeguard our strays
MBPP Councillor Cum MBPP’s Sub-Committee Getting a pet license from MBPP
On Stray And Abandoned Dogs Chairperson Education through billboards - in a second

(Connie Tan) CH 04

CH 03 ADOPTION SUCCESS STORIES
Zuriani Mohamad Shaari
SUPPORT FROM PENANG NGOS Chin Joo
IAPWA Penang
SPCA Penang

Cat Beach Sanctuary
Spay Adopt Manage Assist (SAMA)
Penang Animal Sanctuary Society (PASS)

CH 05

PET OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES
Are you considering getting a pet?
Be a responsible pet owner

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01

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CHAPTER 01

Remarks

Supports & Encouragements

P A W S I B L E | 11

The state is working
closely with related
organisations to
carry out the trap,
neuter, release/
rehome (TNR)
programme

YAB Chow Kon Yeow
Penang Chief Minister

112 || PP AA WW S I B L E

YAB CHOW KON YEOW

“All creatures are deserving of a life free
from fear and pain”

B Y M a u r a C u mm i n g s

Animals, particularly dogs, are always considered as human being’s best friends. The
basic rights of these furkids are always close to the state government’s heart. In fact, we

have several animal shelters on Penang island as well as the mainland.
Having animal shelters is crucial to house animals until they are able to find new homes.
I believe there are no shortcuts to solve the issue of strays unless holistic measures are

taken to address it.
However, placing them in a shelter is not a permanent solution. People need to understand
that not all non-governmental organisations are able to bear the various costs involved
in running dog shelters. Once the dogs have been spayed or neutered and have received
all the treatment they need, adoption is encouraged. I take this opportunity to encourage

animal lovers to adopt instead of buying a pet.
Ultimately, dog owners need to be responsible when they first decide on bringing home a
pet. They are a lifelong responsibility and do not deserve to be abandoned. We encourage

people to practise responsible pet ownership.
As of now, there are some 50,000 stray and abandoned dogs in the state. In order to
reduce the population, the state has been working closely with related organisations to
carry out the trap, neuter, release/ rehome (TNR) programme. Through this initiative, we

hope to provide a better and healthier life for our furkids.
Just like humans, our furkids need to be cared for and loved. Let us all do our part in

making the world a better place for our furkids and the community.

P A W S I B L E | 13

YB JAGDEEP SINGH
DEO

Penang does not believe in animal cruelty

The Penang state government is always committed to stopping cruelty to animals,
especially stray and abandoned dogs. In March 2018, the Penang Island City Council
(MBPP) set up a dog pound for stray and abandoned dogs. The RM170,000 facility at
the council’s Vector and Veterinary Centre in Jalan Sungai, has neutered and released
or rehomed dogs since then. The centre neuters dogs that are trapped through netting

rather by the lasso which was practised earlier.
I applaud the effort and energy put into this project as it is significant in proving that
Penang does not believe in animal cruelty. The project shows the humane way we are

handling stray and abandoned dogs on the island as well as on the mainland.
Better known as “Trap-Neuter-Release”, the TNR programme is an initiative by the state
government, city council and NGOs to stop the inhumane actions taken towards stray
dogs. Under this programme, unclaimed dogs caught by the city council will be taken
over by IAPWA Penang to neuter and vaccinate for rabies as a pre-emptive measure
to create herd immunity to protect the communities and other animals while offering
rehabilitation, and subsequently the release or rehoming of the dogs. If these dogs are

injured, IAPWA helps to treat each of them before they get neutered and vaccinated.
I take this opportunity to urge dog owners to be responsible by monitoring the breeding
of their dogs and to not abandon them. Failure to do so would create strays that could
pose health risks to humans. Let us all work hand-in-hand to create a better and safe

environment for our furkids and the community!

14 | P A W S I B L E

Penang
does not
believe in
animal cruelty

YB Jagdeep Singh Deo
Penang Local Government, Housing, Town and

Country Planning Committee Chairman

P A W S I B L E | 15

Stray dogs caught
by MBPP will be taken
by IAPWA Penang
to be neutered and
vaccinated against
rabies

Dato’ ar Yew Tung Seang
Penang Island City Council Mayor

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DATO’ AR
YEW TUNG SEANG

Stray dogs caught by MBPP will be taken by
IAPWA Penang to be neutered and
vaccinated against rabies

To ensure the safety and harmony of fellow Penangites, City Council of Penang Island
(MBPP) set up a dog pound for strays and abandoned dogs in March 2018. Since then,
the facility at MBPP’s Vector and Veterinary Centre in Jalan Sungai started neutering

dogs and releasing dogs.

With the aim of ensuring areas under the supervision of MBPP to be free from stray and
abandoned dogs for public safety, the dog pound is a temporary home for strays where

we neutered them before releasing and rehoming them.

The priority of the project is to plan, create and implement the TNR programme for
abandoned dogs in Penang. Dogs that are neutered by us will have their left ear notched
(v shape cut) at the tip, as a permanent sign to let people know they are already neutered.
Right ear notched at the tip indicates that the dogs have been rabies vaccinated. The
TNR programme for dogs was launched in March 2018 to end the killing of street dogs
on Penang island and to replace it with more effective and humane stray management.

As a commitment, MBPP signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International
Aid for the Protection and Welfare of Animals (IAPWA) to safeguard the livelihoods of
our furkids. Unclaimed dogs caught by the city council will be taken by IAPWA Penang
to be neutered and vaccinated against rabies as a pre-emptive measure to protect
communities and other animals. The shelter also offers rehabilitation and subsequently,

the release or rehoming of the dogs.

I take the opportunity to urge the public who are interested in getting a pet to adopt and
not buy them. Anyone who wishes to adopt the dogs can approach IAPWA Penang on its

Facebook to make an appointment to be interviewed.

Let us all work together to make this world a better place for our lovely furkids as well as
the community!

P A W S I B L E | 17

CONNIE TAN

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with
a single step”

BY LAO TZU

Nowadays, furkids are gaining popularity as many on Penang island, replaced by more effective and
people rare them as a child-substitute. While we humane stray management.
pour our love and care for our pets at home, we
should not forget the stray animals who are left Although TNR is a farsighted and bold decision, it
on the streets. Strays are often exposed to abuse, is for the long term betterment of the furkids and
hunger, the ever-changing weather, accidents, poi- our community. It may not be an overnight success,
soning, diseases, injuries and other life threatening but it’s definitely worth trying. In the meantime, we
conditions. To reduce their suffering, one of the hope to educate and change the mindsets of the
effective ways is to prevent the birth of unwanted public to encourage more to adopt and not shop;
animals. neuter and not breed. A lot of effort had to be put
into achieving permanent changes in the attitude of
Let me share with you a true story. When I was pet owners.
young, there were a lot of puppies and kittens be-
hind my house. I would always look at them and felt The TNR programme will not only benefit our strays,
sorry to see them in hunger. I dreamed that one day it will also benefit the community. Through TNR, we
when I grew up, I would have the ability to do some- hope that it can reduce nuisance, noise pollution
thing for them. And now that I am in a position to caused by dog fights during mating seasons, risk of
change things for the better, I hope to safeguard the disease transmissions and dog bites for the public.
livelihood of our furkids. As an added bonus in this program, all dogs neu-
tered and released are given a rabies vaccine as a
Did you know that all dogs captured in Penang proactive measure to achieve herd immunity for the
will be euthanized if unclaimed within 7 days be- well-being of our people and other animals.
fore March 2018? Thankfully, IAPWA Penang, an
non-governmental organisation, has partnered up I hope that through this magazine, you will get a
with the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) to han- grasp of our vision in achieving a zero stray state.
dle captured dogs humanely through the TNR pro- Let us join our hands and work together in creating
gramme. This has ended the killing of street dogs a loving and compassionate society we long to see!

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TNR is a farsighted
and bold decision
for the long term

betterment of the
furkids and our
community

connie tan
MBPP Councillor Cum MBPP’s Sub-Committee

On Stray And Abandoned Dogs Chairperson

P A W S I B L E | 19

02

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CHAPTER 02

Everything You
Need To Know

About TNR

Information & Details

P A W S I B L E | 21

What is TNR?

TNR stand for?
T- Trap
N- Neuter
R- Release / Rehome

Did you know?

T 01

T - Trap

• Trapping dogs in a more humane
way by using nets and plastic traps

N 02

N - Neuter

• Having them spayed or neutered
• Dogs that are neutered by MBPP

will have their left ear notched (v
shape cut) at the tip

V- Vaccinated
• Right ear notched at the tip in-

dicates that the dogs have been
rabies vaccinated

222 || PP AA WW S I B L E

Background
of TNR pro-
gramme in
Penang

03 The TNR programme for dogs was launched
in March 2018 to end the killing of street
R dogs on Penang island and to replace it with
more effective and humane stray manage-
R - Release / Rehome / Relocate ment.

• Releasing dogs that had been Unclaimed dogs caught by the city council
neutered and vaccinated back into are taken by IAPWA Penang to be neutered
their territories and vaccinated against rabies as a pre-emp-
tive measure to protect communities and
• Rehoming them through adoption other animals.
programmes
The process involves live-trapping dogs, hav-
• Relocating them when MBPP ing them spayed or neutered, ear-tipped for
receives valid complaints from the identification and, if possible, vaccinated,
community then releasing or rehoming them.

Benefits of TNR & rabies vaccination

• TNR is the solution to the fundamental
problem of stray overpopulation and
breaking the vicious cycle of reproduc-
tion.

• Population control and the permanent
reduction of the number of stray dogs in
an area. The released spayed/ neutered
dogs guard their territory, discouraging
unneutered dogs from moving in and
beginning the cycle of overpopulation
again.

• Lowering dog intake into shelters, there-
fore lowering shelter operational costs
and resource usage.

• Released rabies vaccinated dogs create
herd immunity to protect the communi-
ties and other animals.

• Neutered dogs are less aggressive, they
don’t congregate during heat cycles,
thus fights, noise and other unwanted
behaviour is reduced.

• Promote a civilised and more humane
society.

P A W S I B L E | 23

• For effective dog population manage-
ment, neutered dogs have to be released
back to the same location to protect the
territory from new unneutered dogs to
come in and repeat the breeding cycles.

Why do we • This is the reason why catching and killing
didn’t work in the past decades, it won’t
work now, it won’t work in future.

release stray • By killing or removing dogs from a par-

ticular area, we create a vacuum (free

dogs back area with no dogs and with resources like
food, water and shelter).
• It will attract new dogs to come. Also, you

to the com- cannot control the dog population as the

new ones continue to come and breed

munity after and it is just a never ending cycle.
• For when we return the neutered dogs to
the location caught, they will guard the

the TNR pro- area from new dogs.

• As they are already neutered, the breed-

gramme? ing stops.
• If as many as possible strays are neu-
tered, there will be reduction of strays 5
to 10 years down the road as neutering

?stopsthebreeding.
224 || PP AA W S I B L E

TNR

History

HiAstnoimryalof an- Following calls from animal lovers and advocates for a
imWalewlfaerlfeare stronger animal welfare legislation, Malaysia passed a
anAdcrtig2h0t1s5 in new Animal Welfare Act in 2015.
Malaysia
The new Animal Welfare Act establishes an animal
welfare board to monitor the work of animal protec-
tion associations; requires licenses for all individuals
and businesses that use animals; prohibits breeding
animals for research or teaching; bans the shooting
of stray dogs; and grants courts the power to disqual-
ify or deprive any owner or licensee from owning an
animal indefinitely.

Abandonment or ill-treatment of pets is an offence
and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine of not less
than RM20,000 and not more than RM100,000 or im-
prisonment for a term not more than 3 years or both.

P A W S I B L E | 25

A More Humane
Way To Safeguard
Our Strays

MBPP councillor cum MBPP’s sub-committee on stray and abandoned dogs chairperson Connie Tan (foreground) and
the team of dedicated MBPP dog catchers who use a more humane method to gather strays by using tools such as nets

and plastic traps
226 || PP AA WW S I B L E

In line with the state government’s ‘no
cruelty to animal’ policy, MBPP has
worked hand-in-hand with IAPWA Pen-
ang to fine-tune the standard operating
procedure when catching stray dogs.
With much effort, a more humane and
effective way had been adopted in tack-
ling the stray overpopulation.
In the past, lassos and tranquiliser guns
were used to nab stray dogs. Currently,
there is a team of dedicated MBPP dog
catchers who employ a more humane
method to gather strays by using tools
such as nets and plastic traps.
The stray dogs that had been caught
will be sent to IAPWA and undergo the
TNR process. Dogs that are neutered by
IAPWA will have their left ear notched
(v shape cut) at the tip, as a permanent
sign to let people know they are already
neutered. Right ear notched at the tip
indicates that the dogs have been rabies
vaccinated.

Highlight To Us Your Concern Via
h t t p : / / a d u a n . m b p p . g o v . m y / (e-aduan)

016 2004082 (whatsapp)

P A W S I B L E | 27

Getting A Pet
License From
MBPP

Method 1 : Apply Physically

01 02

Pay a visit to Pusat Kawalan Bring supporting documents
Vektor dan Veterinar, Jalan Includes a photocopy of owner’s IC,
Sungai, 10150 Pulau Pinang. a picture of the owner with the dog,
a copy of current utility bill (TNB/
03 PBA) if the address on IC is different
with the current address. (Show us
Pay & collect license the digital copies on your smart-
Pay the fee and collect your license phones and we will help you upload
them onto our system).
from Pusat Kawalan Vektor dan
Veterinar, Jalan Sungai, 10150
Pulau Pinang.

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Method 2 : Apply Online

01 02

Go to MBPP eLesen website Select menu
Scan QR code below or go to > Click ‘License Application’
elesen.mbpp.gov.my > Click ‘Dog License’
> Read ‘Condition’
03 > Click ‘Agree’

Fill up applicant information 04
Include their name, IC number, gen-
Fill up dog information
der, date of birth, race, nationality, Include dog’s name, breed, gender
telephone number, email address, and upload a picture of the owner
address, premise they stay at and and the dog besides answering
several questions.
upload a passport photo.
06
05
Pay & collect the license
Submit & wait Applicant will be notified to pay the
Applicant need to wait 1 week for fee. Pay the fee online and collect
MBPP to process the application. your license from Pusat Kawalan
Vektor dan Veterinar, Jalan Sungai,
10150 Pulau Pinang.

P A W S I B L E | 29

A beautiful billboards that are filled with TNR educational messages is placed in Jalan Residensi, Penang

EDUCATIONAL BILLBOARD

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If you happen to pass by some bus stops SBEdeillucbocoanatdridosn-TInhrAough
in Penang island, you will get to admire
the beautiful billboards that are filled
with educational messages. Consisting
of many different themes which include
love for the environment, maintaining
safety on the road, the bike box and
zero stray dogs initiative, the billboards
managed to convey short and precise
messages to road users.

MBPP public education subcommittee
chairperson Connie Tan said the bill-
boards are created with heart and soul.
She said that the designs are the fruit of
creativity and design. It is the council’s
hope that the public can get the mes-
sage within a second. The billboards
are filled with colourful illustrations to-
gether with MBPP’s messages and hope
for the public. Besides making good use
of public areas, MBPP hopes to educate
the public through the billboards at
some bus stops.

Through the TNR posters, pictures of
cute doggies urging people to be re-
sponsible pet owners are impactful and
easy to understand. The public are also
reminded to get a licence for their pets
and also the state government’s wish of
achieving zero strays in the future.

P A W S I B L E | 31

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EDUCATION
THROUGH
BILLBOARDS
IN A SECOND

P A W S I B L E | 33

03

34 | P A W S I B L E

CHAPTER 03

Support
From Penang

NGOs

Find Out More

P A W S I B L E | 35

A volunteer engaging with a dog at IAPWA Penang

IAPWA VOLUNTEER

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With the ongoing advancement in social trolling illegal breeding are all also im- IAPWA Penang
media, it can be seen that our society portant in contributing to the reduction
has become more vocal in voicing out of roaming strays on the streets. Remarks by
their thoughts regarding community is- IAPWA Penang Project Director
sues, in this particular context, it is the TNR as an effective way to reduce the
way roaming strays are being managed. stray population. It brings benefit not Choong Koon Yean
As the cliché saying goes, you cannot be only to animal lovers, but also the coun-
doing the same thing again and again cil, as it creates the shift in perspective Contact Us
and expect different results. of these citizens from resentfulness to IAPWA
appreciation of the effort made by the
Kudos to Penang Island City Council for council in implementing a humane ap- facebook.com /IAPWAPenang
having the courageous and farsighted proach. It will also be good to people [email protected]
leadership to use a different approach who are anti-dogs as when it effectively
for Dog Population Management (DPM) reduces the stray, there will be less “eye
in the island at present, that is, the ef- sore” or thorn in the flesh for them.
fective and humane method of trap -
neuter - release/ rehome (TNR). When So, how does TNR work?
TNR is properly carried out in a scientif- The main reason why dogs loiter in an
ic and systematic way, it is one big step area is because of resources; food, wa-
forward to reduce the stray dog popula- ter and shelter. It is usually impossible
tion over a period of time. to remove all the dogs from a particular
location due to circumstances such as
We are grateful for the partnership with geographical difficulties, abandonment
the council in tackling the stray dogs of unaltered dogs and difficulties in
issues, including the trust and coopera- trapping feral dogs.
tion in raising awareness of the benefits
of the TNR program, joint complaints Besides, removal of dogs to some ex-
solving to create a win-win-win scenar- tent also creates vacuum, more space
io for public-council-strays, adopting and spare resources to attract new un-
a humane method of catching, trans- altered dogs to occupy the area and re-
porting and temporary sheltering of populate – resulting in an endless cycle.
the dogs in the council pound, and For TNR to reduce the dogs’ population,
campaigning for responsible pet own- neutered dogs will be released back to
erships within the society. their original locations, to prevent other
unaltered dogs from migrating to that
Education and changing of mindsets area and breed. Over some time, these
to encourage more to adopt and not dogs will reduce as they live out their
shop, neuter and not breed are needed natural lives.
to achieve permanent changes in the
attitude of pet owners. Enforcement of As this TNR project is being carried out
licensing, micro-chipping to discourage throughout the whole island, in years to
abandonment of pet dogs and con- come, there will be a reduction in strays

P A W S I B L E | 37

overall, and less chances of other dogs — Malaysia nor a single animal non-gov-
migrating to other areas. Our aim is As of Jan 16, 2022, ernmental organisation (NGO) that
to achieve a minimum of 75-80% neu- can successfully do this. Therefore, we
tered rate throughout the whole island. IAPWA Penang believe the collaboration between the
For areas where we have a cooperative has TNR 3340 dogs Penang Island City Council and IAPWA
community that helps to trap dogs for including 617 which is the right formula to tackle stray
neutering, we aim to hit a 100% neu- overpopulation whereby we draw the
tered rate. were rehomed. strengths and expertise of each oth-
— er to carry out the effective DPM. We
Dogs that are neutered by us will have hope our model of cooperation be-
their left ear notched (v shape cut) at tween council and NGO paves the way
the tip, as a permanent sign to let peo- for more such partnerships in Malay-
ple know they are already neutered. sia. This long term cooperation, if suc-
Right ear notched at the tip indicates cessful, can be made permanent; for
that the dogs have been rabies vac- as long as there are humans and dogs,
cinated. So these dogs should be left there will always be man-made strays
alone. It takes time to successfully to handle.
eradicate strays.
If you would like to donate to IAPWA:
So far there is no single local council in Maybank Account: 507068618056

IAPWA Penang TNR Project
Scan to watch

38 | P A W S I B L E

1. MBPP sub-committee on stray and
abandoned dogs chairperson Connie
Tan talking to IAPWA Penang project
director Choong Koon Yean to find out
more about the conditions of the stray
dogs during a site visit recently.
2. A volunteer putting on the elizabe-
than collar on a dog.
3. A volunteer preparing home-cooked
meals for the dogs at IAPWA Penang.
4. Volunteers have to also add in med-
icine to the dogs’ meal to ensure that
they are in good health.
5. A volunteer cleaning up the dogs
and their cages at IAPWA Penang.

P A W S I B L E | 39

40 | P A W S I B L E

SPCA Penang is a temporary shelter What do we do? PSePnCaAng
to help sick, injured and unwanted an- Provide proper care for sick, injured
imals. SPCA Penang provides tempo- and unwanted animals. Prevent cruelty
rary care for healthy, abandoned and towards animals, physically & mental-
unwanted animals. We try our best to ly. Educate the public about an ethical
help to rehome healthy dogs that have attitude in raising animals and encour-
been abandoned. SPCA also plays a age responsible pet ownership.
role to educate the public about re-
sponsibility towards their pets. How to get involved?
Be a SPCA member to help animal cru-
Do you know? elty and provide care to animals. Be a
For every licensed dog, there are ap- volunteer to help look after animals,
proximately 4 stray animals out there. run events, awareness campaigns,
Many of them are suffering every day. fundraising and sometimes, admin-
Animals do need our help, but they istration work. Donate to help cover
can’t speak for themselves. operation costs at SPCA. Foster young
puppies and kittens for a period of time
until they are strong enough to be vac-
cinated and placed for adoption. Adopt
an animal.

“Neuter saves lives!” Contact us
“Spare me, spay me” Jalan Jeti Jelutong

11600 Penang.
04-281 6559 or 04-283 3103

016-416 6559

[email protected]

P A W S I B L E | 41

CSaantcBteuaacryh

42 | P A W S I B L E

Cat Beach Sanctuary is a non-profit — Through TNVR, we:
‘no kill’ cats home for rescued cats. It Cat Beach
is home to 300 plus-or-minus rescued Sanctuary • Care for the community by
cats and kittens. Those who are inter-
ested can help Cat Beach sanctuary by — adopting a ‘no kill’ attitude
adopting, volunteering, donating and
rescuing. There are pros and cons to Contact us • Are using the most humane meth-
be considered when practicing TNVR 778, Jalan Teluk Awak, MK2,
(trap, neuter, vaccinate, release/ re- od to save stray cats
home) but it is essential to control cat Teluk Bahang, Penang.
populations. 04 881 1015 (Cat Beach) • Raise awareness of need for care

By controlling cat population 017 575 3419 (Teviot) and compassion for animals
through TNVR, we can help reduce
or eliminate: [email protected] Why is it important to vaccinate the
[email protected]. stray cats?
• Nuisance behaviours like yowl-
• Parvo virus and other viruses are
ing, fighting, spraying or marking
epidemic in Penang cat popula-
• Unhygienic & destructive be- tion these days.

haviours • If outdoor “community cats”

• Number of free-roaming cats (stray cats) could be vaccinated
• Unwanted cat pregnancies and also given parasite treat-
• Unwanted kittens ments for internal and external
parasites (using Broadline or Ad-
vocate spoton is the easiest way),
they would return to the colony
or be rehomed in much better
health.

P A W S I B L E | 43

“Our core is TNR
and Adoption”

“We are not a rescue nor a shelter but we can
guide anyone in matters to do with strays”

SAMA
Spay A d o p t M a n a g e A s s i s t

SAMA is a neutering society with an adoption pro- stray population will get out of hand unless we can do
gramme open to those who can foster their rescues. mass TNR.
Our name SAMA stands for Spay Adopt Manage Assist
– we are not a rescue nor a shelter but we can guide TNR can benefit the human community too by offering
anyone in matters to do with strays. We hope that in people a sense of purpose, having a community pet
this way we can encourage the community to work rely on us can make us feel needed and awaken a call-
with us. Curbing the stray population is too big a job ing. Looking after a TNR’d animal can relieve isolation
for everyone not to be involved! and may even lead to more cases of adoption as peo-
ple become attached to their community pets.
Our core is TNR and Adoption. TNR is the most cost-ef-
fective and humane way to control and curb the com- Implementing a TNR project helps build a human com-
munity’s stray population. TNR’d animals live healthi- munity, encouraging involvement and compassionate
er and happier lives. It prevents sexually transmitted action, inspiring CSR projects and working with NGOs.
cancer, TVT, mammary cancers and pyometra - infec- Studies have shown that caring for animals can im-
tion of the uterus which can kill very quickly. prove human health.

TNR reduces shelter admissions. We can’t simply Once a colony or pack of animals has been neutered
dump or send every stray to a shelter! TNR relieves the and managed i.e. fed etc., they become easier to live
constant stresses that come along with mating and with as they no longer need to protect themselves or
pregnancy. Dogs can have puppies twice a year and scavenge for food. They are no longer in survival mode;
cats four times! The growth in population is stagger- they become friends or friendly acquaintances living in
ing from one you can have 100 in just a year! Soon the trust with the community. Not only that they protect

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SMpaanyagAedoApstsist

their neighbourhoods and alert house owners when cinated community pets live in their own territories
any strangers are lurking or eyeing up properties. They alongside humans it is a recipe for success. On top of
also protect us from snakes in the same manner. that, they only need to live out their natural lives, there
will be no more births and their numbers will steadily
An important thing to note is that attempts to perma- decrease.
nently remove animals from an area always fail be-
cause of a natural and scientifically-documented phe- In addition to the above we also encourage the com-
nomenon known as the vacuum effect. In basic terms, munity to adopt and not buy dogs or cats when there
whenever animals are removed, new ones move in. are so many homeless ones on the streets. Why buy
The new cats or dogs will be smaller in number and when you can save a life for free? Taking in the home-
therefore they will get more food and be healthier and less dogs also stops puppy mills and breeding animals
can breed much faster with more surviving offspring. for profit, when so many are dying and non profit or-
Getting rid of animals from your area can actually in- ganisations are trying to save them! When you take in
crease their population! the pregnant dogs and cats or motherless kittens and
puppies these animals are guaranteed of being neu-
Another common misconception is that if you stop tered. No one will have to chase them as adults when
feeding animals, they’ll go away. No! Scientific studies they are hard to catch.
have shown that feeding bans DO NOT work to get rid
of strays as they are very territorial. Instead, feeding As an NGO, we bear witness to so many tragedies due
bans make it worse! As they become more and more to mother dogs or cats giving birth outdoors, far too
hungry they become braver in their desperate search horrible to write and we hope that everyone will get
for food in order to survive and not starve to death. on board the TNR and adopt train, destination zero
So not feeding animals actually increases nuisance strays!
behaviour, it doesn’t make the animals go away. They
start rummaging through dustbins and making a Contact Us
mess. If they knew there was a regular source of food, 012 422 5755
they would not need to do this.
facebook.com /SAM ASpayAdoptPenang
If a small number of well tended, neutered and vac-

P A W S I B L E | 45

Penang Animal Sanctuary Society ment for Penang Vision 2030 is cur-
(PASS) fully subscribed to the “No Kill” rently housing all the strays caught by
policy. PASS is an animal shelter which MBPP at our animal sanctuary located
takes care of dogs, cats and tortoises. adjacent to Taman Metropolitan, Relau,
Penang.
PASS is a non-profit organisation which
aims to provide a natural conducive PASS aims to make Penang Island and
sanctuary to strays and abandoned ani- ultimately the whole of Penang state
mals at our 3.5 acres site which is locat- into a stray-free state - the first in our
ed at the foot of the forest reserved hill country.
in Relau.
In addition, PASS also strives to make
Currently, PASS has spent about our sanctuary:
RM600,000 on its buildings and infra-
structure on its Phase One. The sanc- • A well publicised sanctuary for
tuary is an exemplary well-run and
well-managed animal sanctuary not adoption of our dogs and cats by
only in Penang but possibly in Malaysia. our community into their homes
It is indeed a first class sanctuary for our
dogs and cats. • An educational and tourist attrac-

It is in a natural habitat, environmen- tion (with entrance fees from tour-
tally conducive and friendly. It is a good ist)
balance and harmony between hu-
mans, our dogs and cats. Our sanctuary • Teaming up with Penang Agility As-
is a paradise or a heaven on earth for
the dogs and cats. For the time being, sociation for training of dogs and
we have about 200 dogs, 110 cats and cats and have dog shows for public
about 50 tortoises. and tourist

PASS has been established since 2003 • Planting fruit trees to make it into
and its members are strong and pas-
sionate advocates of its no-kill policy a mini tropical fruit farm to gain
where it aims to provide a secure home revenue and at the same time, be-
for the strays and abandoned animals come an additional tourist attrac-
as they are also creatures of God and tion
deserve a right to live too and have de-
cent lives. • Equipped with inhouse veterinari-

Hence, PASS is fully against inhumane ans for the animals
treatment or cruelty against animals as
dogs are man’s best faithful friends. PASS is managed by a duly elected,
passionate, dedicated, responsible and
PASS in collaboration with MBPP and committed management team who not
support of the Penang State Govern- only sacrifice their time but occasional-
ly come up with financial contributions
to meet our current monthly expendi-
tures of almost RM15,000. Hence, any
donations to support us in this cause
for the love of the animals is most wel-
come.

Penang Animal Sanctuary Society
Maybank Account: 557063316468

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SPeannacntugaAryniSmoacliety

Contact us
Lot 10676,
Jalan Paya Terubong,
11500 Penang
013 416 8324 (Nornee)
010 974 1581 (Mr. Oh)

[email protected]
facebook.com/pass.org.my

P A W S I B L E | 47

04

48 | P A W S I B L E

CHAPTER 04

Adoption
Success
Stories

Zuriani & Chin Joo

P A W S I B L E | 49

M3otFhurerkidTso around looking for her kittens? I have me. Nevertheless, I feel thankful for all
seen people chase pregnant cats with my adopters as they take good care of
I fully support the TNR programme as stones, water, sticks and sometimes the adopted cats and kittens.
it will help to reduce the reproduction kick them! Hence, TNR is important and
of stray cats. Being a rescuer myself, personally for me, it reduces the suffer- I have known Teviot, the founder of Cat
the condition of stray cats out there is ing of cats. Female cats can get preg- Beach for years and usually I seek her
very sad. Lots of them are sick, injured nant 3 to 4 times a year and they usually help to nurse the newborn kittens that
and malnourished. Especially pregnant deliver 4 to 8 kittens. Spayed / neutered I rescued since I’m working and unable
female cats, they roam around finding cats are happier and live longer without to bottle feed the kittens every 2 hours.
food with big tummy and deliver their mating hormones. In return, I help Cat Beach to find adopt-
babies behind shops, behind houses ers for the cats and also help to get do-
with non-animal-friendly owners, near I adopted a family of 1 mother and 2 kit- nations for Cat Beach.
drainage areas, etc. Not everyone likes tens from Cat Beach while I was there
cats and the saddest thing is when their to take pictures of the cats and post in I humbly appeal for everyone to try and
babies were thrown somewhere else the cat’s group to find adopters. I took help. Please go to the wet market or
by heartless people or the mother was a whole family of 3 of them because I shops and see their situation with your
chased away which resulted in her to wanted to send the mother for spaying own eyes. Look into their eyes and you
run everywhere to look for the kittens. and I felt it would be unfair if I just take can feel that they are crying for help and
When the babies go missing, the moth- her kittens and leave her in the shelter. longing for a home. Cats are the best
er cat will experience mastitis which is a I felt truly happy when I adpoted them companion and stress reliever. If you
term used to describe inflammation of because I was giving them a chance are not able to adopt them and bring
a mammary gland (breast) due to pro- to have a better life and giving more them home, please come and volunteer
longed periods of milk accumulation space for the shelter to accommodate at Cat Beach even to do something as
without milk removal. Imagine being more cats in need. Mostly every day, simple as to give the cat a warm pat on
sick on the street while still running Cat Beach receives kittens & cats with their head. Cats are very loving animals.
different stories such as abandoned If you find any injured or sick cat on
new-born kittens without mom, injured the road or anywhere else, please take
cats by accident or being abused and them to a vet and reach out to shelters
pets surrendered by their owners for or post in Facebook Cat Communities
various reasons. These kittens and cats for help. And if possible, please engage
need space at Cat Beach while the team with shelters like Cat Beach and get
is working hard to find a forever loving involved with the programmes and try
home for them. your best to find adopters or donors
for the cats. The least you can do is to
So far, I have rescued more than 50 cats carry cat food in your bag and offer it to
from various locations. Usually, these any cat that you find on the street. You
are sick or injured cats which I found at will not know when they had their last
the shop, market, on the road or while meal, maybe 2-3 days ago? I believe if
I was outstation. I sent them to the vet everyone can lend their hand together,
for treatment and tried to find a loving we can create a better community with
adopter for them. Those who are not healthy stray cats surrounding us.
lucky enough to get adopters, I’m tak-
ing care of them myself. So far at home
I have close to 30 rescued cats with me.
The total vet bill is no joke but the lives
of the cats are much more important to

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