Help the animals get a shelter
Time is running out as a retiree races to raise money to build a shelter to relocate his furkids
IT was a heart-wrenching moment in September last year when retiree Ng Foo Mun, 60, had to pick five of his dogs to surrender to the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) officers. If not, all his 120 dogs and 30 cats would be seized.
Worried sick after several of his dogs were taken away, Ng, formerly an assistant printing plant manager of Star Publications (M) Bhd, lost no time in claiming them back within days after paying a fine.
But his troubles are far from over. After solving one problem, he now has to tackle a bigger one.
He is in a quandary as he has been told to relocate his “furkids” elsewhere. He is not allowed to use the present premises in a housing estate in Sungai Buloh as a dog shelter.
“The first warning came three months ago and expired in December. After I appealed, I was given another two months (until the end of this month) to move the dogs and cats elsewhere,” he said. “If needed, I plan to appeal for a further extension until at least the new dog shelter is ready.”
Luckily, Berjaya Cares Foundation came to his rescue.
“We were given 0.4ha land in Bestari Jaya (formerly Batang Berjuntai) in Kuala Selangor to build our new dog shelter. However, we have to bear the construction costs estimated at RM150,000,” he said.
So far, RM40,000 has been raised to build the new shelter. The amount is ample to cover land clearing and levelling (RM10,500), perimeter fencing (RM16,000) and two units of living quarters (RM10,000).
At the moment, there is lack of funds to build eight dog pens to house 120 dogs and one cattery for 30 cats. Other costs include expenses for electrical wiring and water piping works. Construction of the shelter will be carried out in stages pending availability of funds.
After Ng retired, he became a full-time volunteer at an animal shelter. Then, in early 2013, he rented a house in Sungai Buloh to start his own independent and self-funded animal shelter call MunMun Furkid Haven. Ng has rescued many badly injured dogs and cats. He also helps other people to rescue such pets.
Ng lamented: “After my retirement, I used up almost all my EPF funds for the furry kids. I’m appealing to the public to help these animals so that they can have a proper shelter.”
Loyal to his rescued dogs, Ng makes sure that they are fed daily. He even goes out to feed the strays in the streets. Tan Li Yen, a former marketing executive in her 50s, has been helping him care for them over the past three years.
Time is running out, and he hopes funds will pour in so that work on the new dog shelter can resume quickly. Thus far, the land has been cleared and levelled. The next stage is to erect the perimeter fencing.
For inquiries, look for MunMun Furkid Haven on Facebook.