Nancy (front row, third right) and Wee (front row, second right) in a group photo with Kuching Canadian Graduates’ Association (KCGA) members after presenting them with a Certificate of Appreciation for participating in the bazaar. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: The Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) is relying very much on public donations in order to sustain its shelter at Mile 6½ Penrissen Road here.
Its president Donna Drury Wee said without active fundraising all year round, it was impossible to continue running the shelter as it is now, especially with animals continuing to be so low on most people’s priority list.
Speaking at the SSPCA Christmas Charity Bazaar held at the Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre here yesterday, she pointed out that there were currently more than 270 animals at the shelter which cost the non-governmental organisation (NGO) RM30,000 a month to run.
“Most of that cost goes to staff as well as food and medicine for the animals. Each animal is given up to three vaccines and neutered. These alone cost an average of RM200 per animal,” she disclosed.
Apart from active fundraising this year, Wee noted that SSPCA had also upped its efforts in raising the awareness of the animal shelter.
“We gave regular talks at Lodge Group of Schools and this led to Lodge International School starting its ‘Cage Project’, which they also presented during the Asia for Animals Borneo Conference organised by SSPCA last month.
Wee also touched on SSPCA’s teams of volunteers such as the Adoption and Rehoming Team who have tirelessly given up their Sundays to set up off-site adoption venues in places like Boulevard Shopping Mall, Green Heights Mall, and CityONE Megamall in an effort to increase the number of animals that get adopted from the shelter and the foster homes as well.
“We also started our initial Trap Neuter and Release Scheme this year with the help of funding received from Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri’s office which enabled us to purchase a steriliser and a second set of surgical equipment as well as all the necessary items required for surgery and recovery.”
She added that SSPCA was always on the lookout for volunteers and called on the public to help the NGO at the shelter, to inspect complaints of animal abuse, to help with the Adoption Teams, or even to help foster a young animal.
Meanwhile, Nancy who also graced the charity bazaar, commended SSPCA for its efforts in organising the noble event which portrayed a good example of multi-cultural harmony, Sarawak’s inherent ability to put differences aside and work together for a good cause.
“I have always admired SSPCA for being one of the many NGOs in Sarawak that has been very active in promoting good values in life. It has come to my understanding that this year alone, SSPCA has organised various programmes; not just fundraising activities but also programmes with other organisations such as schools and higher learning centres to educate the younger generation about the need to care for animals as well as the spirit of volunteerism.
“This effort has potential to contribute in other aspects of nation building besides environment preservation. By getting the young generation involved in welfare activities, SSPCA can be a catalyst to mobilise a new ‘wave of volunteerism’ in the country; taking into account its noble programmes that can unite people from all walks of life,” she stressed.
The annual SSPCA Christmas Charity Bazaar saw various stalls selling cakes and pastries, snacks, ice-cream, as well as second-hand goods, set up to raise funds to run the shelter and to build the proposed Animal Village.