GEORGE TOWN: Dedicated dog and cat sanctuaries, including a facility capable of housing up to 2,000 stray dogs, are being set up as the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) steps up efforts to reduce stray animals on the island.
The dog sanctuary, planned for Paya Terubong, will house strays deemed too aggressive to be released under the trap-neuter-release/rehome (TNR/R) programme.
Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said some stray dogs had become too feral and posed safety risks if released back into the community.
“Dogs deemed aggressive will be housed at the sanctuary to prevent them from posing a danger to the public.
“We need a place to house them so they can live out their lives,” he said after the signing ceremony for the renewal of a memorandum of understanding between MBPP and the International Aid for the Protection and Welfare of Animals here yesterday.
Rajendran said the 0.8ha sanctuary is expected to begin operations by the end of the year.
“This will significantly reduce the number of stray dogs on the streets.
“In the long run, we hope this will drastically reduce the stray population over the next five to 10 years.
“The long-term goal is to achieve zero strays.”
He acknowledged that stray dogs in hilly plantation areas remains a major challenge due to the difficult terrain, which complicates trapping efforts.
“We constantly urge plantation owners to help bring them in for neutering,” he said.
Rajendran also revealed plans for a cat sanctuary on a 1.2ha site in Batu Ferringhi as the number of stray cats continues to rise around wet markets and eateries.
Both sanctuaries are expected to include low-cost veterinary clinics operated by volunteers.
“One of the main reasons pets are abandoned is the high cost of veterinary treatment. Offering an affordable clinic could help reduce abandonment cases,” he said.
Rajendran added that MBPP plans to introduce a TNR/R programme for cats and is also studying the feasibility of mandatory microchipping for pets to curb cases of abandonment.
He said MBPP is studying the feasibility of mandatory microchipping, which would require pet sellers to chip animals before sale so owners can be tracked if a pet is found.
