RM300,000 raised to build neutering clinic
KOTA KINABALU: Society for The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Kota Kinabalu (SPCA KK) has raised RM300,000 to build a non-profit neutering clinic at its shelter.
Its president, Dr Stuart Chin, said the society realized that neutering operation if done privately was not affordable to many pet owners.
Therefore, he said the society had decided to raise funds to build a non-profit neutering clinic at its shelter so that the operation could be accessible to everyone.
He said that at the SPCA Kota Kinabalu charity dinner on Saturday.
For the past 10 years, Dr Chin said SPCA KK had moved homeless animals from one makeshift shelter to another because of the lack of funds to acquire land and build a proper premises.
“It was not until three years ago when Datin Ann Chow was kind and generous enough to buy and donate a piece of land near Papar for us to build a proper shelter.”
He said the society moved into a new premises just over a year ago upon raising sufficient funds to build a shelter big enough to house all the rescued animals.
But within six months, the shelter was full with nearly 300 animals and the society had to stop accepting any more animals until vacancies were created through adoption or deaths, he said.
“It is very sad that there are still many pet owners who allow their cats and dogs to breed without any control.
“When the puppies and kittens are born, they are thrown out into the streets, sometimes even before their eyes are opened.”
This is despite the new law against such cruel acts, which entails three years of imprisonment, or RM100,000 fine or both, he said.
“The dumping of animals onto our streets, which includes pets that have become old and sick is so common that even if we are to build another 10 shelters, we will still be unable to clear our streets of strays.”
As a non-governmental organization (NGO), Dr Chin said SPCA KK had to raise its own funds to pay for expenses, including veterinary bills, food, utilities and salaries for shelter workers, which amounted to more than RM40,000 a month.
“The financial stress is very great and the end of every month often means sleepless nights for my committee.”
He pointed out that building more or bigger shelters was not a viable option nor a long-term solution as the problem was not being addressed at its roots.
“The only long-term solution is for all owners to neuter their pets and stop the endless litters of puppies and kittens being born without any hope of a home.”
Dr Chin said SPCA KK had set out to create awareness among pet owners that it was safe and kind to neuter their cats and dogs, which was endorsed by all international animal welfare organizations.
“The operations are safe and are done under proper anesthesia and they recover within one to two days with little discomfort.”
He said the society was also working with authorities to significantly increase the licencing fees for unneutered dogs so that owners would be more motivated to neuter their pets.
He added that the non-profit neutering clinic which the society planned to build was to ensure the operation was accessible to everyone.
“As responsible pet owners, we must neuter our pets,” he stressed.
Also present at the event were Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai and organizing chairperson Jenny Chung.