A stray dog found at a housing area in Sungai Ara last month is the latest animal to benefit from Penang’s long-running Trap-Neuter-Release/Rehome (TNR/R) programme, which has neutered 8,484 dogs since 2017 without killing a single stray on the island.
The rescue at Jalan Sungai Ara 1 was carried out by International Aid for the Protection & Welfare of Animals (IAPWA) Penang in collaboration with the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) after the dog was spotted during a site visit on 24 July. The animal will receive vaccination, veterinary treatment and possible rehoming under the TNR/R approach, NST reported.
The programme, implemented on 1 March 2018, is the result of a partnership between MBPP and IAPWA Penang. MBPP Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the approach has proven more effective and humane than previous methods of controlling stray populations.
As of 17 May this year, a total of 8,484 dogs had been successfully neutered under the initiative, according to Malay Mail. In addition, 1,000 dogs have been rehomed.
IAPWA Penang president Choong Koon Yean said no stray dogs had been killed by the city council on the island throughout the eight-year collaboration. She said the more than eight-year partnership with MBPP would continue to be strengthened to safeguard the welfare of stray and abandoned animals.
“The partnership, established in 2017, had not only benefited animal welfare but also contributed to creating a safer, cleaner and more harmonious urban environment for the community,” she said.
The renewal of the five-year memorandum of understanding between MBPP and IAPWA Penang on 22 May reflected the continued commitment of both parties to managing the stray dog population. The MoU, first signed in August 2017, was renewed in 2021 before this year’s extension marks the third continuation of the partnership.
Rajendran said MBPP has provided an operations centre and a stray and abandoned dog control centre for IAPWA, with all maintenance and utility costs fully borne by the council. MBPP allocated RM100,000 to IAPWA at the MoU signing ceremony.
Corporate donors also stepped in during the ceremony. Datuk Chuah Choon Bin of Pentamaster Corporation Berhad and Koay Lin Lin of Greatech Technology Berhad each presented RM100,000 to IAPWA, while MBPP councillor Tan Soo Siang contributed RM5,000.
Since its registration in 2017, IAPWA has raised more than RM5 million for its efforts to manage Penang’s stray animal population. Choong said the organisation spends at least RM60,000 to RM70,000 each month to continue the programme.
“This programme has shown that this is the most humane, professional and effective stray management,” she said, adding that the public-private partnership behind the TNR programme could serve as a model for other parts of the country.
Tan, acting chairman of the Public Health Standing Committee, said managing stray animals requires shared responsibility among local authorities, animal welfare organisations and the community.
“A welfare-based approach combining prevention and continuous population management is essential to ensuring animals are protected, communities remain safe and the urban environment stays harmonious,” she added.
Rajendran also urged dog owners to register and apply for pet licences through the MBPP website. The fee is RM10 per year.
