MBDK officer Nurbaiti (right) speaking to residents who turned up with their dogs for vaccination.
Klang mayor: Pulau Indah centre to facilitate neutering, adoptions
KLANG Royal City Council (MBDK) is planning to build a shelter for stray dogs at Pulau Indah in Port Klang, Selangor.
Klang mayor Datuk Abd Hamid Hussain said the proposed shelter would accommodate stray or abandoned dogs as part of the city council’s “humane animal-handling approach”.
“Our dog shelter, which will be called ‘Canine Housing and Neutering Centre’, will be built on a 2.5ha land in Taman Perindustrian Pulau Indah.
“Dogs brought to the shelter will be neutered to mitigate the stray overpopulation and address complaints of unlicensed canines,” he said.
Abd Hamid said the shelter, the cost of which would be borne by MBDK, was at the design stage.
It is learnt that the estimated cost to build the shelter is RM1mil.
“Our planners will design a shelter that is pleasant to work in and easy to maintain.
“We want the facility to be appealing and a low-stress environment for the animals.”
Abd Hamid said the design would include an outdoor area for the dogs.
“MBDK’s plan is to have an area for adoptable dogs.
“We want to encourage people to visit the kennels and adopt the neutered animals.
“These spaces will have toys to keep the dogs in a good and playful mood in an effort to boost adoption,” he said at the licensing and vaccination programme for dogs, held at Persiaran Batu Belah, Taman Bukit Raja.
Residents from several neighbourhoods turned up at the event in Taman Bukit Raja, bringing their dogs for vaccination and to have licences renewed.
MBDK assistant senior environmental health officer Nurbaiti Harom said the city council had informed 650 residents regarding the programme via leaflets.
“The turnout was good. There were 15 health department staff attending to residents.
“We feel our efforts of going into the residential areas have inspired owners to better care for their pets,” she said.
Since Jan 11, MBDK issued licences to 410 canines and vaccinated 87 dogs.
Nurbaiti was assisted by assistant senior environmental health officer Rafidah Abu Hassan, who encouraged pet owners to have their animals vaccinated during MBDK’s weekend programmes that offered a 50% discount.
Veterinarian Dr Jananni Kirubananthan was on hand to check the dogs and give advice.
Businessman K. Murugiah, 52, who brought his eight-year-old dog Oggy said MBDK’s approach of holding the programme in neighbourhoods provided convenience to the people.
Another pet owner Joselyn Chew, 37, brought her dog named Wuzui.
She said the weekend programme was helpful and reflected MBDK’s interest in animal welfare.
Dinesh Sahadevan, 40, had his dog Muffin vaccinated and renewed her licence too.
He said the event provided convenience for pet owners.
The next event on Saturday is at Padang Taman Meru, Lorong Prai, from 9am to 4pm.
MBDK Health Department staff will be visiting neighbourhoods to distribute leaflets.
