Call for help: 4PAWS Penang’s present shelter in Teluk Bahang is home to some 700 rescued dogs. They are at risk of being homeless if the society is unable to raise sufficient funds to buy the land.
GEORGE TOWN: Some 700 dogs will be out on the streets again if the Penang Animal Welfare Society (4PAWS) loses its home.
In a recent Facebook post, the non-profit organisation said the owner of the land in Teluk Bahang, where the shelter is located, intended to sell the property.
4PAWS was given until the end of next month to decide if they want to buy the land at RM2.2mil.
Founder Barbara Janssen said that with the shortage of funds, 4PAWS’s team of workers, rescuers, and feeders are frantically looking for alternative sites.
However, she said the search has been futile.
“There are not many locations capable of housing our large number of dogs, which raises the worrying prospect of us being forced to release some or all of the dogs back onto the streets.”
Janssen said the shelter has only raised RM60,000 from public donations and time is running out.
“This has been our home for 15 years. Relocating to another site would be extremely challenging.
“The shelter’s fate now depends on the support of the community,” she said.
The canines were rescued from around Penang island and the mainland. Most were strays or abandoned, with some also coming in sick or injured.
“Over the years, we have given thousands of dogs medical treatment and care.
“A significant number were adopted.
“Our work relies largely on public support, as monthly operational expenses now run up to RM50,000,” she said.
The sum covers veterinary bills, staff salaries and daily food, which includes roughly 260kg of kibble, 80kg of chicken offal, 80kg of rice and 24 tins of canned food.
“We had also invested over RM800,000 to upgrade and maintain the shelter,” said Janssen, a German retiree from Hamburg who moved to Penang in 2006.
Despite her initial plans for a quiet life, an encounter with two abandoned puppies ignited her animal rescue efforts.
In 2010, she rented the present premises when her four-pawed family grew to 24.
4PAWS was set up shortly afterwards and became a recognised charity in 2011.
Janssen said everyone involved with 4PAWS is committed to giving stray, abandoned, and neglected animals a second chance.
One of the rescuers, who only wanted to be known as Jafifa, said 4PAWS has been fighting an uphill battle from the start, especially on securing funding.
“I hope Penangites can see the impact of the efforts and step up to help the shelter,” she said.
For details, visit www.facebook.com/4PAWS.penang or contact shelter manager S. Murugan via WhatsApp at 016-342 0703.
