THE IPOH Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) is plannng to build a medical centre at its shelter to treat stray animals.
ISPCA president Ricky Soong said the society will be setting up a building fund for the project soon and hopes to collect about RM100,000 to build the facility.
“We hope to start the construction next year. Our plan is for the centre to be built using containers.
“One container now costs about RM8,000 and we need five to six,” he said after a ground-breaking ceremony performed last week by Wanita MCA Chief Datuk Heng Seai Kie for an access road in the shelter.
“Other costs include the medical equipment and other building expenses,” he added.
Soong said the society will also be working closely with Universiti Malaysia Kelantan’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine on treating animals.
“The universitiy will send its interns or housemen and a faculty professor here to treat animals.
“It will also be the place where we can perform the neutering or spaying of animals,” he said.
“Volunteers or guardians who bring in stray animals to be treated will only be charged a nominal fee,” he added.
On the building of the access road, Soong said it will begin in the middle of this month.
“The work will cost about RM10,000 and will include a tarred road and a gate.
“It will take about two weeks to complete,” he said.
After the completion of the road, Soong said the society will build a temporary shelter, expected to cost RM7,000, to house stray dogs captured by the Ipoh City Council or the Veterinary Services Department.
“This is part of our Trap, Neuter, Release and Manage (TNRM) programme to lower the stray animal population.
“The temporary shelter will be able to house about 30 dogs. The city council will be allocated 25 spots and five for the Veterinary Services Department,” he said.
“The captured animals will be neutered and be put up for adoption for two weeks. They will be released back to the streets if there are no takers,” he added.
Heng said she believes the TNRM programme should be implemented throughout the country.
“The issue with stray is also happening in other states. I think the ISCPCA has come out with a good plan to help reduce the stray population here in Ipoh,” she said.
“I am having a meeting with the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry and I will bring up the TNRM programme to their attention,” she added.
