More than 50 dogs and cats need to be adopted today
The Star, 19 July 2006

KUALA LUMPUR: More than 50 dogs and cats at the Subang Jaya Municipal Council’s (MPSJ) animal pound in Puchong will be put down if they are not adopted by today.

Independent Pet Rescuers Malaysia is appealing to the public to adopt the animals and save them.

The adoption drive will be held today, from 9am to 4.15pm, at No 1, Jalan Utama, Taman Perindustrian Puchong Perdana (next to the Mariamman Hindu temple).

The animals were to have been put down on July 16 but Subang Jaya state assemblyman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng, who is also MPSJ councilor, had helped extended the deadline to give the rescuers more time to save the animals.

“I received a call from a Malay man who wished to remain anonymous, who said that Islam did not condone putting down animals, be they cats or dogs, and it was heartbreaking to see these animals being put to sleep,” said Lee.

Independent Pet Rescuers Malaysia volunteer Sherrina Krishnan said their main aim was to find good homes for the animals.

Sherrina, 36, said people abandoning animals or not having them neutered was the root of the problem.

“People think that taking their pets to be neutered is very expensive and a great hassle,” she said.

“It is actually much cheaper to neuter them at a local government veterinarian clinic than a private one. This can help reduce the problem of strays and abandoned pets as well.”

She said it was not cruel to neuter pets if one was not able to care for the pets’ offspring.

“If they end up in a pound, the animals will be put down, unless a good soul adopts them,” she added.

The Independent Pet Rescuers also holds a pet adoption drive every Saturday at the Hartamas Shopping Centre. Those interested in adopting a pet can call Sherrina at 012-202 6384.

Dog owners to be may want to consider adopting one of these dogs and give them a home.

Giving your pet a proper send-off
Eileen Ng
NST, 9 July 2006

KUALA LUMPUR: As 17-year-old Beano was loaded into the incinerator in Cheras, sisters Cheah Hsiao Theng and Hsiao Ling felt a sense of relief.

Relief that their companion was no longer suffering and that she was in a better place..

Beano, a Spitz and bull-terrier cross, was stricken with mammary gland cancer for a year and during the last few days of her life, had refused to eat, couldn’t stand and had sores on her abdomen.

“We were sad that she was gone but at least now she is not suffering anymore,” said Hsiao Teng.

Beano was cremated last Wednesday and her ashes, which were placed in an urn, now have pride of place at the Cheah residence, together with some fresh flowers and pictures of the gregarious dog.

The Cheah sisters are among a growing number of pet owners who choose cremation for their pets rather than burying them.

There are at least two companies in Malaysia offering pet cremation services for dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, hamsters, fish, tortoises and other animals.

The cost ranges from RM348 to RM1,233. The service comes with a cardboard box or wooden casket, flowers, a death certificate, a picture frame and an urn containing the ashes.

Veterinarian Dr Lai Chong Yoon Ching said as recently as three years ago, owners who wanted to cremate their pets had to send the bodies to Singapore.

Pets Memorial Services owner James Kho said with higher spending power and a more modern outlook, Malaysians were willing to spend on their pets. This also meant giving them a decent send-off.

“Today, pets are regarded as part of the family. I’ve seen owners crying as if one of their family members had died,” he said.

When he gets a call about the death of a pet, he or a worker go and pick up the body. Pets are dressed in their favorite costume or covered with a blanket before being placed in the casket strewn with flowers.

A spokesperson for Pets Heaven Memorial Services said owners could place their pets’ favorite belongings in the casket.

“Owners are allowed to follow the hearse to the crematorium. However, they can only collect the ashes, which will be stored in an urn, the next day,” she said

Pet Memorial Services has gained some momentum recently as more and more pet owners are sending their pets for cremation after their beloved pet parted them for the rainbows bridge. Nevertheless, the adoption rate are still low generally because the charges is quite high and many still choose to bury their pet themselves. As for pet lovers, it is quite a relieve that such services is now available in Malaysia for those who really need it, despite the high cost.

Some link on Pet Memorial Services inMalaysia
http://www.puppy.com.my/petcremation/index.html

Pet Lovers can also post the Pet Memorial Online to remember their beloved pets at
http://www.rainsbowbridge.com.my

‘It was the most humane option’
Malay Mail, 15 Nov 2005

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 On Nov 11, The Malay Mail front-paged a report that the SPCA put to sleep a cat and four kittens belonging to 12-year-old Anis Aliff Lam and her sister Adlinor, four days after the siblings sent them to the shelter.

The girls’ father, Aliff Lam Abdullah, claimed he was never informed by the officer-in-charge about the time frame for the cats to be put to sleep if no one adopted them.

However, an SPCA spokesman insisted that they had clearly laid down the terms and conditions contained in the surrender form to him.

SPCA animal inspector Sabrina Yeap told The Malay Mail that euthanasia was the most humane option. “The animals do not feel any pain. They are merely given a specific dose of anesthetic and drift off to a painless sleep. “If there was any other option, we would definitely have pursued it. But as of now, we have no choice as there is a severe lack of resources and space,” she said

As a large number of animals are sent to its premises, the SPCA puts 800 to 1,000 animals to sleep each month. She said there was a lack of resources and space at their premises.

Each year, a lot of cats and dogs surrendered to SPCA had to put to sleep due to lack of space and resources. The number of unwanted cats and dogs sent to SPCA far exceed the number adopted. The best to reduce the number of unwanted cats and dogs is the cut down unnecessary breeding and this can be achieved by spaying and nuetering your dogs and cats.

Klinik Kembiri operated by DBKL and SPCA offer spaying and neutering services at a very affordable rate. For dogs, the cost is only RM 90.00.