WORK is underway to convert a building in Ukay Heights, Ampang into a shelter for stray cats.
The old premises, owned by Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ), is expected to be ready fully refurbished in July.
MPAJ deputy president Hasrolnizam Shaari said RM400,000 had been allocated for the initiative, which took off last month.
“The building was previously used by a non-governmental organisation which moved out and returned the premises to MPAJ.
“The cat shelter project involves building enclosures and treatment facilities for the animals,” he told reporters after chairing MPAJ’s full board meeting at its headquarters in Pandan Indah, Selangor.
Hasrolnizam said once completed, the building could accommodate 50 cats at a time.
He said MPAJ would work with animal welfare groups to ensure rescued cats receive proper medical care and nutrition.
“We will promote the shelter once it’s operational to encourage the public to adopt and give these cats a permanent home.”
On a separate matter, Hasrolnizam said nearly 100 rats were caught in a week-long rodent control campaign in Pandan Jaya earlier this month.
Launched at Pasar MPAJ Pandan Jaya, those who surrendered rats, dead or live ones, were paid RM3 per rodent.
Hasrolnizam said the rats were caught in areas around the market as well as nearby eateries.
The campaign, he added, was aimed at raising residents’ awareness on maintaining cleanliness.
He said similar initiatives were being considered for other high-density residential and commercial areas such as Taman Melawati, Taman Keramat and Pekan Ampang, among others.
Last year, 59 public locations in Ampang Jaya were identified for rodent control, with the campaign in Pekan Ampang alone recording the disposal of 101 rats.
Inspections carried out at 1,500 premises in 2025, resulted in 329 compounds issued for hygiene-related offences involving cockroaches, flies and rats, with fines totalling over RM23,000.
