Article: Penang plans sanctuary for smaller cats

Saturday September 26, 2009

By ANDREA FILMER

GEORGE TOWN: After the controversial tiger park plan in Relau met stiff resistance, the state has come up with plans for a park to house cats and dogs in the same area.

The Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) is looking into a proposal to lease out a 0.4ha plot of land to a non-governmental organisation (NGO) to build a dog park.

Councillor Lim Siew Khim said the park would house stray dogs and cats in a move to cut down the number of animals being put down in the state.

"We have received an application from the Penang Animal Sanctuary Society that is made up of animal lovers to set up a park for strays and abandoned dogs.

"If approved, the park will be equipped with proper kennels and also be able to handle the spaying and neutering of the animals," Lim said.

She said the council was currently discussing the proposal and its Valuation and Property Management department had been asked to assess a possible site for the park in Relau.

"The management and cost of the park will be borne by the NGO but as it is a social project to help the community, the council will try to help by charging a nominal rental," Lim said.

"People treat their dogs like their children when they like the dog, but when they tire of them or it gets inconvenient, they simply leave the animal anywhere.

"When not monitored, the dogs breed in an uncontrolled manner," Lim added.

Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Penang administrator Lily Leng welcomed the move, saying that this would give the strays and abandoned dogs a chance to get a proper home.

"In this way, there will be more shelters for abandoned dogs and we won't have to put that many dogs to sleep," she added.

Council president Tan Cheng Chui said the council guidelines allowed houseowners to only keep a maximum of two dogs per house.

"If an owner wants to keep more, the council's veterinary doctor will have to pay a visit to the house to inspect the place and check on other conditions," he said.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Nation 26 September 2009