Sponsor or adopt a stray this weekend

Able-bodied dogs are placed at the MDDB sanctuary in Rawang.

HAVING to care for almost 400 dogs, including 80 that are geriatric, with special needs or disabled, is no mean feat.

“Anyone can take in hundreds of dogs and put them in shelters, but it’s more important that these dogs be well taken care of so that they can live long, fulfilling lives,” said canine welfare project Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better (MDDB) adoption coordinator Christine Lai.

MDDB takes care of its able-bodied dogs in a sanctuary in Rawang while its specialneeds dogs are placed at a half-way home near Puchong.

Both places are managed by full-time live-in caretakers.

However, Lai said it was costly to manage these places while ensuring all the dogs receive adequate veterinary care.

Double-amputee Mon uses wheels to move around.

“When we started out, we told ourselves that we would practise the highest standards and I believe we have managed to do so but it hasn’t been easy.”

Lai said the number of dogs at the MDDB sanctuary was increasing daily due to the many rescues the organisation carried out.

Hence, MDDB has formulated a programme where the public can sponsor dogs under the organisation’s care with a monthly contribution of RM100 for able-bodied dogs and RM150 for special needs dogs.

Lai said an individual can sponsor as many dogs as he or she wants and each dog can have multiple sponsors.

“We have albums with the photo and biodata of each dog and sponsors can pick their intended ward from there.

“We will also bring the dogs out upon request to meet and mingle with their sponsors.”

MDDB will be conducting its sponsorship programme at the Mini Pet Fair at Amcorp Mall, Petaling Jaya, tomorrow and on Sunday from 10am to 6pm.

There will also be an adoption drive and other activities at the event, which will be held at the main entrance’s canopy area.

“This is our first event at Amcorp Mall and we hope that people will turn up and help us by sponsoring our dogs,” said Lai.

She added several dogs from the MDDB sanctuary and half-way-home will also be at the event.

“Our dogs, especially our disabled ones, always enjoy the extra attention they get at such events and that is why we bring them out.”

For details, visit the MDDB’s Facebook page or contact Lai at 012-241 4749.