IPOH: Setting-up "mini shelters" will help to manage the growing stray dog population better and reduce the pressure on overcrowded facilities, says an animal welfare organisation.
Noah's Ark Ipoh founder Dr Ranjit Kaur Mendhir said that under a proposal to the state government, the shelters would be small, temporary structures housing no more than 12 dogs each.
She said such shelters would ideally be set up in areas where feeders already operate, such as in Gunung Rapat or Lahat, and suggested locations would be submitted to the Ipoh City Council (MBI) for approval.
"These are not large permanent shelters but small, movable ones that can be dismantled if needed, probably near rivers, under a hill or at the end of a field closer to a jungle," she said.
"Feeders will fund, clean and care for the dogs themselves. NGOs will oversee the sites to ensure there is no hoarding, that the area is kept clean and the animals are healthy and not noisy."
Dr Ranjit stressed that having large-scale shelters is not a viable solution because they are difficult to manage and often compromise animal welfare.
"In smaller shelters, feeders know every dog and can immediately spot if one is sick or not eating.
"Hopefully, if it's government land, we will not be charged a fee for setting-up such mini shelters," she added.
Recently, state housing and local government committee chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching said the Perak government would work with NGOs to identify sites for new animal shelters to tackle the growing stray population.
She said the goal is to provide low-cost facilities for NGOs to manage, giving rescued animals proper care before adoption.
Dr Ranjit is also against removing all stray dogs from the streets, warning that it could create public health issues.
She said at least two or three neutered dogs should remain in every neighbourhood to control pests such as rats, snakes and monkeys.
She also urged MBI to slow down catching operations until new shelters are ready, and to work with NGOs by referring complaints directly to them.
Ipoh Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals president Ricky Soong said shelters alone cannot solve the state's growing stray problem.
He called for long-term solutions, stronger government support and greater public cooperation.
Soong said most shelters are overcrowded, with hundreds of dogs in cages, run largely by elderly volunteers struggling with high costs for food, utilities and medical care.
"Euthanasia should be a last resort, and only for aggressive or severely ill dogs.
"Friendly strays deserve a second chance through sheltering, neutering, microchipping, adoption and trap-neuter-release-manage programmes," Soong added.
Mutts and Mittens Animal Rescue president Chong Choon Kit said the stray problem in Ipoh has reached a critical level, making it urgent to set up dedicated facilities, especially after MBI started euthanising captured dogs.
He called for temporary shelters and for a three-day euthanasia deadline to be extended to 30 days to allow for survival and adoption.
"However, with over 20,000 strays, shelters alone cannot cope.
"There is a need for coordinated volunteer efforts, long-term programmes and tackling the root causes, which are abandonment and irresponsible ownership.
"Lasting solutions must include compulsory microchipping, mandatory neutering and stricter pet ownership rules," he said.