Green spaces to offer safe areas for canines to play, socialise
Penang is set to make tails wag for joy with two dog-friendly parks underway on both the island and the mainland.
On the mainland, Seberang Perai Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) will transform part of its shelter into a dedicated space where dogs can run, play and socialise.
Its treasurer and shelter manager Richard Ong said the project gained momentum after a donor funded fencing for the site last year.
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The 0.2ha park in Juru, about the size of 24 badminton courts, is expected to cost around RM15,000 to build.
It will feature artificial turf, improved drainage, pet play equipment, gazebos and a swimming pool for canines.
Ong said the society had applied for funding from Batu Kawan MP and Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to help complete the project.
For now, the park is open to the public free of charge, although the planned amenities have yet to be installed.
It is open from 9am to 4pm, Mondays to Saturdays, and from 2pm to 5pm on Sundays.
Visitors on weekdays and Saturdays must make an appointment by calling 017-476 8660.
Ong said the idea for a dog-friendly park came about because many pet owners were unable to take their dogs out regularly due to where they live or other commitments.
“We want to provide a safe and welcoming space where dogs can run freely, exercise and burn off their energy,” he said.
Shelter overcrowded
According to Ong, SPCA’s 1.6ha shelter continues to grapple with overcrowding, housing about 1,400 dogs and 350 cats – its maximum capacity.
“Only about 10 to 20 dogs and cats are adopted each month, but far more animals arrive than leave for new homes,” he said.
He added that the shelter maintained a strict no-kill policy and urged the public to adopt animals instead of buying pets.
Ong said operating the shelter remained costly.
Dog food alone costs between RM60,000 and RM70,000 a month, staff salaries amount to about RM15,000, while veterinary bills add another RM20,000 to RM30,000.
“Without donated pet food and supplies, our monthly operating costs would exceed RM100,000.
“We still need to raise RM50,000 to RM60,000 every month to keep the shelter running smoothly,” he said.
Beyond catching strays
Rather than simply catching stray dogs, Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) is banking on animal neutering and community engagement to reduce the population after receiving about 1,500 complaints last year.
This has prompted the local council to expand its Trap-Neuter-Return-Manage and Community Engagement (TNR-M & CE) programme with animal welfare groups across Seberang Perai.
MBSP councillor and LA21 (Pet Care) subcommittee member Darwin Lim Chee Chien said enforcement alone could not solve the problem.
Dogs caught by MBSP officers are kept temporarily at the city council’s animal pound.
If unclaimed after three days, they are transferred to Seberang Perai SPCA instead of being released back into the community.
“The long-term solution is neutering.
“If all stray dogs are neutered, the population will gradually decline,” said Lim.
“Neutered dogs continue occupying their territories, preventing unneutered dogs from moving in, which stabilises and eventually reduces the stray population.”
Four registered non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are implementing the TNR-M programme at about 60 locations across Seberang Perai.
Besides neutering, the NGOs work with residents to resolve complaints and promote responsible management of community animals.
“When MBSP receives complaints from areas under the TNR-M programme, we refer them to the NGOs,” said Lim.
“They engage with residents, and many issues can be resolved without MBSP having to capture the dogs.”
He said the city council had no plans to build more animal shelters despite increasing pressure on existing facilities.
Instead, it will continue strengthening partnerships with NGOs and expanding neutering efforts.
Since 2024, MBSP has provided RM100 neutering subsidies through four participating private veterinary clinics.
A total of 748 subsidised procedures, worth RM74,800, are carried out annually.
Lim said neutering a dog would typically cost between RM250 and RM350, depending on its size and whether complications arose.
“While the subsidy does not cover the full cost, MBSP is reviewing the amount based on feedback from NGOs.”
He said the current allocation of 748 subsidised procedures was sufficient for now, although the programme’s success depended largely on the NGOs’ capacity.
“We are seeing fewer stray dogs being sent to SPCA, indicating that the stray population is on a downward trend,” he added.
Lim said every TNR-M programme required the approval of the local assemblyman to ensure stray populations were managed at their source.
He identified irresponsible pet abandonment as one of the biggest drivers of a growing stray dog population.
“Many owners abandon their pets after failing to neuter them, especially when they can no longer afford to care for them,” he said.
An unneutered female dog can produce up to 10 puppies per litter twice a year, allowing the population to grow rapidly if left unchecked.
Lim welcomed proposals for mandatory microchipping to improve owner accountability, but said existing by-laws would need to be amended first.
He said MBSP also promoted responsible pet ownership through adoption drives at its annual Seberang Perai Animal Carnival, as well as public education programmes.
These included Fur-A-Thon, school outreach activities and collaborations with universities and private veterinary clinics offering free vaccinations and health checks.
Lim urged pet owners to neuter their pets, keep their surroundings clean and avoid indiscriminate feeding of stray animals.
Those feeding community animals should work with NGOs and do so only at designated locations, he added.
Pet-friendly proposal
On the island, a proposal has been submitted to Penang Island City Council (MBPP) to designate Casa Permai Central Park in Tanjung Bungah as a pet-friendly public park.
If approved, the 1ha park in Lorong Lembah Permai 1 will become Penang Island’s first recognised public park where pet owners are welcome under guidelines promoting responsible pet ownership.
MBPP councillor Lee Seng Hwai tabled the proposal during a recent full board meeting, aiming to formally recognise the park’s long-standing role as a popular gathering spot for pet owners while introducing rules to keep the space clean, safe and enjoyable.
He conducted a site visit with MBPP landscape officers and representatives from the Tanjung Bungah assemblyman’s service centre to gather feedback from residents and park users.
Lee said Casa Permai Central Park had, over the years, become one of the island’s most popular spots for pet owners.
“Residents can be seen walking and exercising their pets here.
“The park also attracts pet owners from other parts of Penang due to its spacious environment and strong sense of community,” he said.
He added that the proposal was not to introduce a new concept, but to formally recognise an existing community practice.
MBPP had considered several other parks before selecting
Casa Permai Central Park for the pilot project due to its established community of responsible pet owners.
The designation would set a formal framework for responsible pet ownership, including rules requiring owners to clean up after their pets, keep them under control and observe proper etiquette to ensure shared use.
The city council is also drafting rules and regulations, along with a layout map showing designated pet-friendly zones and facilities.
It is also considering modifying the park’s entrance arch to reflect its new status.
Lee said preparations were underway and the designation was expected to be completed by the end of the year, subject to approval.
He said feedback from the site survey would be used in MBPP’s final evaluation.
“The initiative could serve as a model for similar pet-friendly parks across the island, promoting responsible pet ownership and encouraging greater community interaction.”
TNR programme
Lee said MBPP’s TNR programme had sterilised more than 8,000 free-roaming dogs between March 2018 and May this year.
He said the programme, carried out in collaboration with the International Aid for the Protection and Welfare of Animals (IAPWA), aimed to humanely reduce the stray dog population while improving animal welfare.
“The programme targets about 800 free-roaming dogs annually, although the actual number depends on available resources, operational capacity and field conditions.
“As of this year, 494 free-roaming dogs have already been sterilised,” he added.
Lee explained that the programme covered both male and female dogs.
“Male dogs are neutered while female dogs are spayed.
“Sterilising both sexes is essential to effectively control population growth and reduce the number of unwanted puppies over time.
“However, we continue to encourage responsible pet ownership, including licensing, vaccination and sterilisation, as these are important for animal welfare and effective population management,” he said.
Pet owners hail move
Restaurant chef Goh Tiong Tian has called the neighbourhood home for the past seven years.
Every morning or evening, the 50-year-old and his wife take their three dogs for walks around the park, a daily routine that has become part of their lives.
“With the park set to be designated as pet-friendly by the council, it is a welcome move that benefits both pet owners and the wider community.”
Goh said the park provided a safe and pleasant space for pets to exercise while allowing neighbours to interact.
He hopes the initiative will extend beyond a single location.
“I hope the council will make other parks pet-friendly as well.
“I believe more designated pet-friendly parks will encourage responsible pet ownership, promote outdoor activities and strengthen community ties among residents with a shared love of animals,” he said.
Another resident, engineer BP Heng, 45, also welcomed the initiative, saying it reflected the city council’s understanding of the growing number of pet-owning households.
“Having a designated space where owners can walk their pets responsibly helps create a cleaner, safer and more harmonious environment for everyone,” he said.
He added that the positive feedback from residents showed appreciation for efforts to create more inclusive public spaces.
