Give man’s best friend a chance to live, says SSPCA
KUCHING: More than 200 dogs at the Sarawak Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ( SSPCA) shelter are waiting for a second chance at love and life but with no adopters in sight, time may be running out for them.
They are among the over 300 animals on a 0.6- acre land, which means the shelter is seriously overcrowded.
As it is not a no- kill shelter, SSPCA has no choice but to consider euthanising some of the canines, a decision that pains the management, staff, volunteers and animal lovers in Kuching.
A heart-wrenching post, accompanied by photos of some of the dogs, was posted on SSPCA Facebook page on Tuesday, appealing for adoption.
“We are desperately seeking to find homes for them. They are innocent and do not deserve to be sentenced to death.
“Look at the photos of the selected few: they are healthy, neutered and vaccinated but their time is up. We humbly beg someone to give them a home, a chance to live.”
When met by The Borneo Post yesterday, SSPCA public relations and education officer Marvin Hon said the adoption rate for adult dogs is very low,
We are desperately seeking to find homes for them. They are innocent and do not deserve to be sentenced to death. SSPCA Facebook page
despite constant efforts to promote adoption.
“People have the perception that adult dogs are hard to take care of, but it’s the opposite as their temperaments and behaviour are more calm compared to puppies.
“Also, some people think adult dogs are not cute so would not take them,” he said.
Hon pointed out that an overcrowded shelter is not an ideal environment for the animals.
“Besides the lack of space, the dogs also lack the opportunity to socialise with humans. There are only five persons working here and not enough volunteers.
“Where food is concerned, it’s unfair to the dogs as the amount depends on donations from the public,” he said.
On which dogs will be put down, he said veterinarians would come in to make the decision.
“The vets will look at the condition of the dogs, but most of those here are healthy. They have been spayed or neutered and vaccinated,” he added.
Hon said the number of dogs grew because a lot of people dumped their pets outside the shelter’s gates.
“Some people claim that their dogs are aggressive, but the dogs turn out to be okay most of the time.
“These dogs were chained up or caged 24/7 by their owners so it was stressful for them, which might have caused the aggressiveness.
“People need to know that dogs, no matter their age, have the mental ability of a two-year- old child, so it is hard for them to grasp what is happening.
“Also, before people think of dumping their pet dogs, they must know that dogs are not street-wise and would find it hard to survive outside. They can probably only last up to two weeks on their own,” he said.
The public can learn more about adoption of adult dogs this Saturday as SSPCA will hold an event ‘A Day with Our Rescued Animals’ at the shelter located at Kota Sentosa ( behind Public Bank) from 10am to 3pm.
For more information about adoptions, call 082- 618200 or email sarawakspcagm@ gmail. com.