KUCHING: The proposed Animal Village mooted by the Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) has been put on hold as the initial plan to build the shelter along Jalan Stephen Yong has been shelved.
SSPCA said they were advised by the state government that the area they were eyeing is unsuitable due to its close proximity to residential and commercial zones.
“What we can do now is to identify a new piece of land and raise funds for the whole project,” said SSPCA chairwoman Rebecca D’Cruz yesterday.
She added that SSPCA was working closely with the Land and Survey Department to identify a new site.
In addition to the RM1.5 million needed to build the eco-friendly and state-of-the-art shelter, SSPCA also hoped to acquire at least three acres of land within a 10km radius in the city.
“Having a bigger area for the shelter means better prospects to expand and for SSPCA to remain on the site for the next 30 years.”
Having an animal shelter outside the city boundaries would not augur well to their objectives of creating awareness against cruelty andabandonment of animals and pets, she opined.
“People would also find it a hassle to travel far to visit the shelter.” SSPCA took in over 5,000 animals last year, and have to feed and care for over 300 animals daily.
Only 10 per cent of these animals managed to find foster homes. D’Cruz said, on average, the society received four reports of animal cruelty weekly.
She said SSPCA would continue to organise subsidised neutering campaigns with local councils to halt dumping of unwanted litters.