Penang’s zero-kill approach sees 8,484 stray dogs neutered since 2018

“GEORGE TOWN, May 22 — Penang Island has not put down any stray dogs since adopting a Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) programme in 2018, with 8,484 dogs neutered under the initiative. Penang Island City Council (MBPP) Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the TNR programme, implemented on March 1, 2018, was the result of a collaboration with the Independent Aid for Protection and Welfare of Animals (IAPWA) Penang. “This is a more effective and humane approach to controlling the population of stray and abandoned dogs,” he said at a ceremony to sign another memorandum of understanding with IAPWA to extend the collaboration for another five years at the Town Hall here today. He said MBPP first signed an MoU with IAPWA in 2017 before renewing it in 2021, and today’s extension marks the third continuation of the partnership to carry out the TNR programme within MBPP’s administrative area. “As of May 17, a total of 8,484 dogs have been successfully neutered under this programme,” he said. Rajendran said the city council has provided an operations centre and a stray and abandoned dog control centre for IAPWA to implement the programme, with all maintenance and utility costs fully borne by MBPP. “To further strengthen the implementation of this programme, the council is allocating RM100,000 to IAPWA today,” he said. He said the allocation would cover part of IAPWA’s operational costs to ensure the TNR programme can continue effectively. The cheque presentation ceremony to IAPWA. — Picture by Opalyn Mok During the ceremony, Datuk Chuah Choon Bin of Pentamaster Corporation Berhad and Koay Lin Lin of Greatech Technology Berhad also presented RM100,000 each to IAPWA. MBPP councillor Tan Soo Siang also contributed RM5,000 to the organisation during the ceremony. Rajendran also urged dog owners to register and apply for licences for their pet dogs through the MBPP website, noting that the fee is RM10 per year. Meanwhile, IAPWA Penang president Choong Koon Yean said no stray dogs had been killed by the city council on the island throughout the eight years of collaboration with MBPP. In addition to the thousands of dogs neutered under the programme, she said another 1,000 had been rehomed. “This programme has shown that this is the most humane, professional and effective stray management,” she said. She added that the public-private partnership behind the TNR programme has proven successful in Penang and could serve as a model for other parts of the country. Since its registration in 2017, IAPWA has raised more than RM5 million for its efforts to manage Penang’s stray animal population. “As of now, we need to spend at least RM60,000 to RM70,000 each month to continue with this programme,” she said, adding that the organisation remains open to donations and volunteers.

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