Help make every dog has its day
By GOH EE KOON
Metro, 19 Aug 2003

SUSIE is a bronze-coloured, mix-breed dog who wanders around the SPCA office like it is her own home. Docile, affectionate and impeccably behaved, visitors are never intimidated by her presence, and she greets each one in a friendly manner. 

Susie, of course, is one of the luckier animals that reside at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, an animal shelter famous for its untiring efforts to rescue unwanted animals and relocate them to pet lovers.  

However, not all the cats and dogs that take refuge there are as fortunate as Susie, one of several pets the society owns.  

SPCA press officer Melissa Ray said there was one too many animals at the shelter house. With 200 dogs and 150 cats, they are already a handful for the society to cope with. Many are pets abandoned by their owners.  

“We take in all the unwanted cats and dogs,’’ said Melissa. “We receive some 1,000 animals each month, of which 80% are given up by their owners.’’  

The sad truth is that, very often, families adopt puppies and kittens as pets. However, when they grow up, these animals need more food and attention and so are released out into the open or given away to the SPCA.  

Only 20% of the animals that come in to the SPCA are strays. Some are even abused or injured.  

“If their conditions are truly bad, we have no choice then, but to put them to sleep,’’ said Melissa.  

While this may sound draconian, the influx of animals leaves the society with little choice. There simply isn’t enough space.  

“It is a hard decision to even pick which ones to keep,” said Melissa.  

The SPCA also looks into cruelty to animals at homes. Should someone report of any cruelty to animal, the society attempts to advise the owner on what best to do. If that fails, SPCA informs accredited enforcers who either fine or arrest the errant owner.  

Lack of staff and volunteers is another problem. There are only three vets who help out at the shelter home. 

Those who want to do their part for the society can volunteer.  

Others who are looking to enrich their lives with a pet can adopt one and ease SPCA’s burden. In doing so, weigh the consequences carefully. Pets are not toys. They become an integral part of a family, just like a newborn baby and children.  

Besides these, factors like adequate shelter, a proper kennel and sufficient space are what new owners ought to have.  

Costs of spaying and neutering at the SPCA are a lot cheaper – about RM50 takes care of an animal and ensures that it doesn’t have any offspring and helps keep its population down. 

The SPCA is funded by donations and runs on a budget of about RM500,000 a year. Thus, it depends on the auspices of the public and accepts medication, food as well as money to help it going.  

Other than keeping the shelter, the SPCA also does outreach work by visiting schools to teach children about its activities. 

Volunteers are needed to help clean cages, change paper, feed the animals and even take them out for walks.  

The society is housed in Jalan Kerja Ayer Lama, Ampang Jaya (Tel: 03-4256 5312 or 03-4253 5179).  

It is open daily from 9am to 4pm.