About 290 dogs at Ipoh Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) shelter on Jalan Gopeng could soon find themselves back on the streets.
ISPCA president Ricky Soong said the organisation had been unable to pay the quit rent for five years, which amounted to RM33,170 for the leased land where the shelter is located.
Soong said the arrears owed to Batu Gajah Land and Mines Department (PTG) was for the period between 2018 and 2023.
“We have been given until the end of the year to pay the full amount or move out.
“We are left with no choice but to return the land to the department, which means ISPCA will no longer have a shelter.
“We are currently seeking factory and farm operators to see if they can adopt some dogs.
“If the dogs are not adopted, we will neuter and release them back to the streets in areas where there are caretakers,” he said.
Soong said the organisation received a letter from Batu Gajah PTG last April, asking for full payment.
Before this, he said the organisation had in 2018 received a letter from the Batu Gajah PTG to pay RM5,570 for one year.
“We had an understanding with the former state government to pay about RM1,518.
“We sought clarification from the PTG but could not get any answers.
“Then in 2020, with the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting movement control order, the matter was set aside,” he added.
Soong said the ISPCA could not afford to pay the arrears due to its limited funds.
“We managed to raise about RM50,000 from our recent anniversary dinner but (if it goes towards the arrears) there will not be much left for the dogs, workers’ salaries and utility bills, which amount to between RM10,000 and RM12,000 a month.
“We have yet to include the medication expenses for the dogs,” he added.
He said the price of dog kibbles and rice had gone up by 40%.
“I hope that the PTG could apply the old rate of RM1,518, so that we can continue with our shelter operations,” said Soong.
When asked about the shelter at Simpang Pulai that was set up by ISPCA and several other non-governmental organisations (NGOs), Soong said it was used for the trap, neuter and release (TNR) programme and only meant to be a halfway home for neutered dogs.
He said it was not a shelter where the dogs could stay long term.
“The premises can only house a maximum of 60 dogs at a time, with 20 animals to be relocated every two weeks,” he added.
Perak local government committee chairman Sandrea Ng said ISPCA had contacted her office about the matter.
Ng, who is also Teja assemblyman, said she would look into the matter and see how she could help.
“The state government recognises the NGO’s role in tackling the issue of strays and will try to help solve the problem that it is facing.”
Those who wish to help the shelter can call Soong at 012-518 6915. — By IVAN LOH
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
