KUCHING – The floods in Sarawak are affecting not only villagers in low-lying areas, but also threatening the safety of the state Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) shelter’s 400 residents.
The shelter on Penrissen Road, some 11km from here, was hit by raging floodwaters last night, causing volunteers to scramble there to save the animals.
Three dogs and a cat were found drowned.
Shelter volunteer Lily Liew told The Vibes that she received a distress call from a fellow volunteer, and rushed to the scene to assist those who arrived earlier.
“The water was waist-high when I got there. I immediately joined the others to open the cages to let the animals out so they could get to higher ground and to the decks that we have built. This is not the first time the shelter has been hit by floods.
“However, we lost a feline and three canines. The animals must have panicked and were agitated by the rising floodwaters, causing their cages to fall into the water.
“This whole week, there were reports on the occurrence of the ‘king tide’ phenomenon, and this caused a surge in the water level.”
She said volunteers are urgently needed to help clean up the shelter, which is covered with mud and other debris.
“The shelter suffered heavy losses, as electrical appliances and food rations, including rice and kibble, are all soaking wet and have to be discarded.
“Apart from volunteers, we also need donations in cash and kind to fix the damage and replenish our food rations.
“Our water pump has been damaged by the floods, and that requires several thousand ringgit to repair.
“We also request for donations in kind, such as canned animal food.”
Asked if the shelter plans to relocate, given that it has been hit by floods previously, she said: “Yes. We have a 0.8ha land allocated by the state government, but we are not yet able to move as we do not yet have the funds.”
The activist, who has established a “fellow-feeling” with animals in the wild, as well as strays, has taken time off from her job as an interpreter at the labour court here.
She said the rescue operation ended at 4am.
“But I will be returning to the shelter in the afternoon to check on the animals.”
At the time of writing, it is raining heavily in Sarawak, with the downpour ongoing since yesterday morning.
Readers who wish to help the Sarawak SPCA can call +6012-8580628 or email [email protected]. – The Vibes, January 13, 2021
