KUALA LUMPUR – The number of pets rescued and treated, following the recent floods in Taman Sri Muda, is estimated to be triple the number of animals saved during the major deluge faced by the country in 2014, said an animal shelter.
The Selangor Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said volunteers and vets have fed at least 100 displaced pets, and treated the same number separately on a daily basis since Monday.
Selangor SPCA operations manager Kelvin Cheah Kheng Tatt said the situation is unlike that of 2014, when the figure did not exceed 100 during the span of a week.
“The number this time around is triple that, and the situation is far worse than in Kuala Krai (Kelantan),” he told The Vibes.
“We found a few cats and dogs suffering from severe dehydration.”
Cheah said common conditions found the pets were found with – especially dogs – include hypothermia and leptospirosis, while others sported injuries such as cuts.
He said Selangor SPCA is working closely with the Malaysian Veterinary Medical Association, Malaysian Small Animal Veterinary Association, Universiti Putra Malaysia, and the Veterinary Services Department to provide free assistance for pets struck by the floods.
He noted the group has set up a temporary shelter at PT 7098, Jalan Tegap, Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam.
Cheah said SPCA Selangor requires around 40 volunteers daily for the programme, which is expected to last until December 27. Volunteers will need to register beforehand, and can contact 012-290-2340 for further information.
The volunteers will assist in feeding pets, locating missing pets, and recovering bodies of the dead so that we can offer their owners some closure.”
He said those who cannot volunteer can also make donations at its website.
Meanwhile, The Food Purveyor Sdn Bhd (TFP) – operator of premium grocery chains Village Grocer, Ben’s Independent Grocer, BSC Fine Foods, and Leisure Grocer – has launched a campaign to support Selangor SPCA’s efforts to feed over 130 cats and dogs under its care.
In a statement, the company said TFP Bites Loyalty Programme members can donate 500 points via the Bites app to ensure that the rescued cats and dogs at Selangor SPCA have sufficient food.
It said 500 Bites points – equivalent to RM5 – will provide three meals for a cat, and one meal for a dog.
TFP said Selangor SPCA had faced a challenging year managing animal welfare matters with a limited budget. This year alone, Selangor SPCA received over 400 cats and dogs that were either abandoned, surrendered, or rescued from the streets.
It said the donations will ensure that these rescued pets do not miss out on essential meals, while they wait for a permanent home.
TFP CEO Geoff King said the company is certain that its customers will throw their support for the animals in need.
We hope it will have a huge positive impact on rescue pets in the Klang Valley area, and ensure these animals are well taken care of.”
Selangor SPCA chairman Christine Chin said the donation drive could not have come at a better time.
“We are thrilled and grateful for the kind gesture by TFP, which graciously agreed to support the rescued cats and dogs,” she said.
“The donations will (enable us to) provide food and shelter, as we see about 20-30 cats and dogs abandoned or surrendered each month.” – The Vibes, December 25, 2021