Hunting for cash to beef up SPCA coffers
By CHOW HOW BAN
Metro, 3 July 2003

THE Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will organise its inaugural SPCA Treasure Hunt, which carries the theme “Animal Lovers Unite” on Aug 10. 

The hunt, which promises plenty of fun for families and animal lovers, will be flagged off at Hotel Armada in Petaling Jaya. 

The treasure hunt is open to people of all ages and the entry fee is RM80 per person, which will entitle them to a buffet breakfast before flagging off and a buffet dinner during the prize presentation at the hotel. 

Organising co-chairman Au Eching said the event’s main objective was to raise funds for the society and create public awareness on its function as a shelter for helpless animals. 

“I don’t think many know about this and it is basically to highlight the existence of such a shelter for animals,” she said at a press conference to launch the hunt recently.  

The main sponsor is MBF Cards. The others are German air carrier Lufthansa, Bon Ton Langkawi, Shell Malaysia, BP Malaysia, Maju Hotels & Resorts, Guinness Anchor Bhd, Cane Creations, Berjaya Hotels and Resorts, Tropical Brands (M) Sdn Bhd, Purina Pet Care (M) Sdn Bhd, Radio 4, Sin Chew Daily and Utusan Malaysia. 

Co-chairman Tina Schlag said the secretariat would target 200 participants on a first-come-first-serve basis. It will take in 50 cars with four participants in each car. 

“We are not only targeting participants, but also sponsors because SPCA needs money to spend all year round. The money is not coming in as fast as the animals do,” she said. 

MBF Cards loyalty management and communication (marketing) manager Selina Kok said the company was proud to sponsor the event. 

“We want to jointly create public awareness on loving animals and encourage people to take care of animals,” she said, adding that it would at the same time promote its new MBF credit card.  

“We will be sponsoring RM5,000 to SPCA to start the ball rolling,” she said. 

The winners of the treasure hunt will receive a return flight ticket to Germany, courtesy of Lufthansa, and other prizes and surprise gifts. 

Registration and briefing will be held at the hotel at 3pm on Aug 9. 

For details, call Au Eching at 016-209 3155, Au Elian at 016-202 3445 or the secretariat at 03-7877 5531/5532.