Remembering Sheena

Woof Meow Charity Carnival - Dec 12

2009-11-30T20:53:00.003+08:00

After a couple of postponements, WoofMeow Charity Carnival is finally here. Kindly take note that the final confirmed date for this event is Dec 12, 2009 and not Nov 7 as printed on the poster below. Full details below.

Host: Shyam and Friends
Type: Causes - Fundraiser
Network:Global
Date: Saturday, December 12, 2009
Time: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Location:Sports Plaza, PJ
Street: Lot 14, Jalan Bersatu, Seksyen 13/4
City/Town: Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Phone: 0196652387
Email: shyam@voize.my

Note below from Shyam Priah:

This fundraising event is being held to raise much needed funds to help independent pet rescuers and animal welfare organizations to continue with their efforts with regards to animal welfare issues in Malaysia. Our recipients are Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better and Furry Friend Farm, two animal shelters in Malaysia which practice No-Kill policy; Malaysian Dog Deserve Better (MDDB) & Furry Friend Farm (FFF).

Working closely hand in hand with each other in educating the Malaysian public in the areas of pet care, importance of spaying and all other aspects of raising a pet the right way, these independent organizations often run low on funds, proving a hindrance to their efforts.

The event will also see a celebrity car wash with the radio and TV personalities. Some of the activities planned out on the day would be charity car wash, jumble sale, music and dance workshops, pet adoption drive and also the largest honorary tribute ever done for pets in Malaysia.

Volunteers needed to have lots of fun with soap suds and water!

Our celebrity car wash will be headed by none other than Daphne Iking and her friends!!

Farewell Tribute To Hitam From Malay Mail!

2009-11-27T13:17:00.005+08:00

The Malay Mail
November 25, 2009

SABRINA AND A DOG NAMED HITAM
By Ian Pereira

THE last time Sabrina Yeap bade farewell to Hitam, she told him he was a good boy and that she would visit him every month.

Hitam responded by wagging his tail and licking her right shoulder, as if to say, “I love you and thank you.”

That was their last meeting on Sept 29, at a fish farm off the Pulau Selat Kering mangrove island. Seven days later Hitam died from pneumonia, after being sent back to the fish farm on the demand of the farm owner.

Today Hitam evokes sweet memories for Sabrina who took care of the welfare of the stray dog that had so courageously assisted in her rescue mission to bring all the remaining dogs who were stranded and left to die on the mangrove island.

Hitam, who touched the hearts of dog and animal lovers all over Malaysia, left a beautiful memory that Sabrina felt the canine telling her: “No matter how deep my sleep, I shall hear you, and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail.” [Caption for photo above: Hitam in the tender arms of Sabrina days before he died]

Hitam was supported by the Furry Friends Farm, a private organisation, led by Sabrina that rescued and cared of abused and abandoned stray dogs and cats.

The farm is a two-acre shelter for the abused and abandoned stray animals rescued in Selangor.

The rescued strays are given immediate medical attention, vaccinated, de-wormed, with heart-worm prevention and neutered.

Says Sabrina of her animal caring mission: “I can’t believe there is a heaven without dogs” and of the animal her considered opinion is “Dogs do more for people than people do for one another.”

“They don’t ask for anything in return. They are not part of today's great “I want.” Suddenly, Sabrina has become the talisman of dog lovers throughout Malaysia following her rescue mission of hundreds of dogs abandoned on an island near Pulau Ketam earlier this year.

Hitam, the brave jet black mongrel, died tragically, aged four-and-a-half years (almost 35 in human years) and was in the prime of his life, with many bones left to bury, and many carpets left to stain.

Hitam was unquestionably the most popular dog in Malaysia. Once his plight was made known, many emails and phone calls were received from animal lovers throughout Malaysia, sending their condolences. Many addressed the mail simply: To Hitam, the Black Beauty of Furry Friends Farm.

According to Sabrina, Hitam’s hobbies included running around to explore and swimming. With his warm and friendly nature Hitam did get along well with his other “inmates” during his short stay at the Furry Friends Farm at Kundang, Selangor, that came complete with basic sheltered areas for dogs, a kitchen, a storeroom and a cattery. Hitam is survived by his best friend Kuning, who was rescued along with him and who is today recuperating from a minor kidney malfunction.

After Hitam and Kuning were plucked from the jaws of death at Pulau Selat Kering in early May, they helped greatly in the evacuation of all the stray dogs on Pulau Selat Kering mangrove island.The dogs were all weak and malnourished almost to the point of death.

Following his death, Hitam was bestowed full honours by both human and canine admirers. When Hitam was laid to rest at Furry Friends Farm, Kuning and most of the other dogs, farm volunteers Chetz Yusof, Hoe Choy Lin, his wife Sharon, Miza Nordin, Marianne and Sabrina were present at his funeral service.

Sabrina and most of her fellow farm volunteers rose to their feet in observing a moment of barking.

Her strong affiliation and love for dogs stems from her belief that dogs are wiser than man. “They do not set great store upon things.

“They do not waste their day hoarding property. They do not ruin their sleep worrying about how to keep the objects they have and obtain the objects they have not,” added Sabrina, 40, a partime mathematics and science teacher.

Two months ago, Hitam arrived at the Furry Friends Farm uncared and unloved.

Now, as he departed, Sabrina wept beside his grave.

If you appreciate this story above please go to this Malay Mail link and post a comment of appreciation to the journalist. Thank you. http://www.mmail.com.my/content/19902-sabrina-and-dog-named-hitam

Zoo Negara - A Torture Chamber For Animals

2009-11-27T12:04:00.002+08:00

Below is a report from PETA. Please click on this link below to see each enclosure and how each specie of animal is suffering and at the end of the report read what you can do to help:

http://www.petaasiapacific.com/feature-zoo-
negara.asp?c=pap_enews

At a first glance, Zoo Negara—set in the Malaysian jungle—looks like a natural setting for the animals who live there, but a closer look at the outdated enclosures (many of which were originally built in the 1980s) reveals environments that can never compare to the lush jungles, forests, grasslands, rivers, and oceans these animals call home.

Three hippos spend their miserable lives in a tiny enclosure, no bigger than your average studio apartment. A group of Malaysian sun bears constantly pant and pace around a barren enclosure, the grass worn down from their endless circles. One brown bear, who in the wild would live in cool climates like those in Russia and Canada, throws himself repeatedly against the side of his enclosure—literally having been driven insane from his confinement and boredom—while his cagemate paces. These repetitive, abnormal, and often self-destructive behaviors are called "zoochosis."

Near the front of the zoo, two Malaysian elephants are confined to a barren dirt enclosure; their only enrichment is a log and an old tire. One of the elephants is frequently chained by two of his legs—he can only move a few inches in any direction and spends his time swaying his head from side to side. Wild elephant herds roam up to 80 kilometers a day—activity that is essential to their well-being—but the entire Zoo Negara measures only 0.5 square kilometers. In the wild, these elephants would graze, pluck fruit and leaves from trees, take mud baths, and spend hours a day swimming and playing in the water.

An Oxford University study based on four decades of observing animals in captivity and in the wild found that animals such as lions, tigers, and cheetahs "show the most evidence of stress and/or psychological dysfunction in captivity" and concluded that "the keeping of naturally wide-ranging carnivores should be either fundamentally improved or phased out." Zoo Negara houses several lions, tigers, and jaguars—all of whom live in enclosures that can never meet their natural needs to roam, hunt, and play.

Zoos claim that they educate people and preserve species, but they rarely succeed on either count. Zoos present visitors with a distorted view of wildlife. Even the biggest zoos cannot provide the space, exercise, privacy, or mental stimulation needed by the animals they imprison, much less fulfill their other complex needs.
You Can Help Animals in Zoos

* Never patronize any zoo or animal display. Take our pledge to boycott zoos and promise never to support a business that profits off the confinement of animals.
* Please support our important work to help all animals. Make a donation today.
* Watch "To Animals, It's Not Entertainment" and send it to friends.
* Share this information with your friends on your Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and Multiply pages.

Hitam's Memorial Service Was Held On Oct 24

2009-10-29T16:53:00.007+08:00

THE STAR NEWSPAPER

Sunday October 25, 2009

CANINE RESCUER, HITAM, DIES OF POISONING

By WANI MUTHIAH

PORT KLANG: Animal activists are in shock over the death of Hitam, the dog that was instrumental in saving the lives of many other canines dumped on Pulau Selat Kering recently.

Hitam, who died early this month, is believed to have been poisoned.

Hitam and “rescue partner” Kuning made headlines when they lured other dogs from the desolate island to a nearby floating fish farm.

The rescue operation was conducted by canine sanctuary Furry Friends Farm (FFF) and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal.

Hitam and Kuning were believed to be among the first batch of dogs dumped on Pulau Selat Kering by Pulau Ketam residents.

Sorry Hitam's Memorial Service wrongly stated as being held on Nov 4th in the Invite. Service is over and was held on Oct 24, 2009. For updates on Memorial Service please go to : http://www.furryfriendsfarm.org/

Also remember to check out November's Her World magazine as Furry Friend's Farm is featured in it.

Hitam's Memorial - Date Should Be Nov 4th

2009-10-23T12:54:00.000+08:00

Be Careful Where You Board Your Pets

2009-10-13T13:23:00.009+08:00

Please read email below received by RSC. Grieving Ogy wants to warn others of this shop so that they will not suffer her fate. To guardians of all pets, please check thoroughly the boarding place and DO NOT board unless you know the boarder well or he or she has come highly recommended by people you trust.

"I have a domestic medium hair cat that I have taken care since he was 3 mths old when the original owner put him up for adoption. It has been 14 months now and recently on 19/9/009 I sent him for 5 days boarding at a pet shop in my area during Raya holidays. During delivery, the owner personally picked up my cat from me.

After 5 days I came back to pick him up and was told by her female staff that she had not seen my missing cat ever since she started work on Sunday 20/9/2009. When I called the owner, she could not remember my cat.

She didn't even realise that my cat had gone missing. She kept telling me how busy she was and blamed it on her male staff to whom she passed my cat to be sent upstairs to where the 'boarding' is supposed to be, on the 1st floor.

That means since the day she collected my cat from me, she has not even once checked on him upstairs after handing over to her male staff. My cat has been missing for more than 4 days and no one noticed? Apparently, the male staff has resigned from the shop too...

I've called asking her to find my lost cat...she said she'll find him...its has been 11 days now and my cat is still lost. I spoke to her yesterday asking her to bear the cost of printing colour flyers, poster and the reward..if found.

She refused to pay and dared to offer me another cat. She must be joking !!! How can she easily offer me another cat as if I'd lost my hand phone??? This is my pet she's talking about!!! The one I took care with such love, only fed him Royal Canine or Iams ...whom we bathe every Sunday and sleeps on my son's bed during daytime ...he's my baby, my angel ...just look at the attached photos..

I'm writing to u asking what other option do I have against this unscrupulous pet shop to force them to be more responsible and humane towards other people's pets in the future...I've printed flyers to be distributed around the neighbourhood in the hope of reuniting back with my beloved Caspian. Every night without fail, we drive around the area looking for him..

This is name of the petshop:

MAPS PETWORLD
No. 22G, Jalan Anggerik Vanilla R 31/R
Kota Kemuning 40460
Shah Alam

Branches:

KLINIK HAIWAN MAPS PETWORLD
No. 21, Kawasan 5
Taman Chi Liung
40100 Klang

No.9177 Jalan Negara
Taman Melawati
53100 Kuala Lumpur

By the way, MAPS PETWORLD Kota Kemuning doesn't even have a proper boarding facilities, boarding was to be on the 1st floor which looked more like abandoned office space with debris n garbage all over and it was very filthy, stuffy and smelly to be called “boarding”..

Yours truly,
Ogy, Sept 30, 2009.

Celebrate World Animal Day with Furry Friends Farm!

2009-09-21T16:15:00.004+08:00

Dog Lover Needs More Time To Set Up Animal Sanctuary

2009-08-26T15:45:00.004+08:00

Article below from STREETS, NST August 26 August 2009

DOG LOVER NEEDS MORE TIME TO SET UP ANIMAL SANCTUARY

KUALA LUMPUR: A woman's compassion for stray dogs has put her in a bind.

The 68-year-old, who has turned the grounds of her bungalow into a temporary shelter for stray dogs, is now in a dilemma following complaints from some of her neighbours.

Chan Mee Fah said she was aware that some of her neighbours had complained about the dogs' barking and howling and she was looking for a piece of land outside the city to relocate the dogs.

"I have been planning to move out. I am looking for a place where the dogs can run freely without causing problems to anyone. I am in the midst of identifying a plot of land and I am estimating the move to be finalised in a year-and-a-half as it will take a few months to acquire the land and to set up the sanctuary," she said.

Chan declined to reveal the number of dogs in her house compound but a neighbour who complained to Streets claimed that there were at least 45 dogs.

The neighbour, who only wanted to be known as Eu, said she had been unable to rent out her double-storey bungalow due to the excessive barking from the dogs.

Eu said she had been suffering a RM7,000 loss in monthly rental.

Her earlier tenant who worked for an embassy here moved out after complaining about the din caused by the dogs.

"The tenant complained that his family was forced to keep their windows closed all the time to shut out the noise.

"Those who came to view my house were also put off by the dogs' incessant barking."

Chan said she had gone as far as Ulu Yam, Semenyih, Sepang, Bentong and Sungai Buloh to look for a suitable piece of agricultural land. She said she would need a plot of land measuring 0.8ha and she was prepared to pay about RM300,000 for it.

Asked why she kept so many dogs, Chan said most of the dogs were rescued by pet rescuers who later had difficulty finding suitable homes for them.

The dogs are housed in wooden kennels in her garden and porch area.

Chan began taking in the dogs in the 1980s after hearing that the Society For The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) was putting several dogs down due to lack of space.

"Gradually, the number grew and I built comfortable wooden kennels for the dogs to stay in. The kennels cost me about RM300,000. Now, my home functions as a boarding house for dogs that nobody wants to adopt."

Chan, a retiree, spends about RM50,000 a month to feed, spay and neuter the canines as well as hire workers to help take care of them.

Chan's case brings to mind another similar situation involving another retiree Tan Tiam Seng, 65, who got into trouble with the authorities after it was discovered that he had more than 15 dogs at his rented single-storey terrace house in Taman Sri Segambut.

It was reported last month that Tan had rescued the strays in his neighbourhood and took them home and cared for them.

Tan's neighbours complained about the foul stench and claimed that the common drains were clogged with the dogs' faeces.

He was subsequently forced to temporarily placed his pets at a factory belonging to a friend. Tan makes daily visits to the factory to ensure that the dogs are well taken care off by workers he had hired to feed and bathe them.

City Hall's rules permits only one dog for every household.

Meanwhile, SPCA public relations officer Jacinta Johnson asked the authorities not to take action against Chan but to give her time to relocate the dogs.

"Chan is a charitable person who has been helping the society. She adopts dogs from us occasionally, alleviating our burden.

"We know that Chan takes good care of the dogs and feeds them well. She also goes a step further by sponsoring dogs rescued by other people and helping pet rescuers financially if the dogs need medical treatment."

Johnson said Chan, a member of the SPCA, also sponsored part of an SPCA employee's salary and donates annually to the society.

SAM Wants Probe Into Zoo Negara's Mismanagement

2009-08-25T19:54:00.002+08:00

Below is a letter from Sahabat Alam Malaysia published in Malaysia Kini:

Zoo Negara's problems making news headlines isn't anything new. Similar issues have surfaced before in the past, with the Malaysian Zoological Society refuting allegations of poor management.

There have been reports in 2003 of pygmy hippotamuses, penguins, tigers, antelopes, zebras and giraffes dying from neglect and poor decision-making.

The society seems incapable of managing the zoo. What difference will it make if the government gives it more funds? Whatever the outcome, things do not look bright for the zoo's future.

Animals in zoos are completely dependent on people. When funds fall short or bad management practices prevail, it is always the animals who suffer or die.

Forget about pride! A zoo that is struggling to stay open, and is unable to look after its animals adequately, should be scheduled for closure.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) is shocked and disturbed to learn of the 'collectors' syndrome' affecting its management that is now setting its sights on a proposed aviary, insectariums, fish aquarium, pygmy elephants and the latest tropical animals.

The zoo's perception is that new attractions will increase gate collections. Invariably, a well-managed zoo shows the unmistakable stamp of a knowledgeable director, not by having a world-class zoo but in the consideration shown towards the comfort, both physical and mental, of its stock.

Depending upon size, display space, and available funds, a wise zoo director keeps his inventory within limits.

The phenomenon of listless, bored animals is a crucial problem in zoos and the challenge is to keep them stimulated. Zoo Negara should focus improving upon its animal welfare further and do away with animals in cages.

Enrichment programmes have been initiated recently, but there is more to it than refurbishing an animal's exhibit. It needs to encompass foraging behaviour, mental stimulation, cognitive ability and socialising.

The challenge faced by Zoo Negara is improving the lives of the zoo inhabitants. For now it should concentrate on vast improvements to its remaining collections to reduce deaths.

SAM urges a full probe be made by the Ministry of Natural Resources and findings be revealed to the public. The zoo should be competent, accountable and transparent in all its actions and be held accountable for all this malaise.

We call on the MACC to reveal its findings of the on-going investigations of the zoo's mismanagement without any cover-up whatsoever.

A zoo legislation to govern all animal establishments including aquariums, reptile and butterfly farms should be incorporated into the amended Wildlife Protection Act with a policy document drawn up in close consultation with animal welfare groups.

By S M Mohd Idris, the president of Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM)

Stop the Construction of Primate Testing Facilities in Malaysia!

2009-08-18T11:01:00.002+08:00

Appeal from PETA:
Please click here to sign letter calling on Malaysian government to HALT NEGOTIATIONS FOR PRIMATE TESTING FACILITIES

http://action.petaasiapacific.com/ea-campaign/clientcampaign.do?ea.client.id=110&ea.campaign.id=3834&ea.param.extras=ea_source_code:papadvmtfcenews~c=pap_enews

PETA EVENT IN KUALA LUMPUR - NEED YOUR HELP

2009-08-18T10:41:00.002+08:00

Below is a note from PETA. If you can volunteer to help please contact Ashley at AshleyF@PETAAsiaPacific.com

At the beginning of September, PETA Asia staffers will be visiting Kuala Lumpur for an eye-catching protest. On Wednesday, 2 September, (around midday) we'll be hosting an educational event featuring a Lettuce Lady – who will be wearing a full-length gown made of lettuce.

The event aims to educate people about the millions of cows, pigs, chickens and other animals killed for their flesh every year. As I'm sure you know, these animals are kept in extremely crowded, filthy enclosures and are denied everything that is natural and important to them. At the slaughterhouse, animals are routinely hung upside down, have their throats cut, are skinned and are scalded to death while still conscious.

We need your help to make these demos successful! Please contact me if you're able to help in any of the following ways:

· We need a volunteer who speaks Bahasa Malay to attend our event. The volunteer would be assisting us in speaking to the public and the media. If you're not comfortable speaking to the media, we'd love to have you help with the set-up of the event.

· We need volunteers who can make follow-up calls in Bahasa Malay to media outlets. The calls need to be done on the afternoon before and/or the morning of the demo. The calls are very simple and are just intended to verify that the media outlet has received our news release. We are grateful for any help with media calls—even five calls can make a big difference!

· We need a volunteer who can check out possible locations for the event before we arrive to make sure that they are suitable for the event.

· We need volunteers at the event itself who can help with putting everything together.

Please reply to this e-mail for more information about any of these projects.

Thanks so much for everything that you do for animals!

Best regards,
Ashley Fruno
Senior Campaigner
PETA Asia

Sid's Pub No Longer Allows Dogs

2009-08-11T10:44:00.003+08:00

I'm really angry that Sid's Pub no longer welcomes dogs especially after I wrote a story in the Star naming it as one of the six places that welcomes dogs. I called Sid's and a staff told me they received a letter from the Ministry of Health threatening their license will be revoked if they continue to allow dogs. The staff said the letter from the Ministry stated that a customer complained.

While I believe Sid's Pub truly did receive such a letter and I've never doubted their sincerity in welcoming dogs as they've been doing it for a long time, I am startled to hear that a customer's complaint can warrant such a drastic and unreasonable act from the Ministry.

If a customer is unhappy all he needs to do is go elsewhere. Why the interference from the Ministry of Health? And that too for no obvious evidence of any hygiene issues but for one reason only - the presence of dogs.

Once again it shows the ignorance and blatant disregard of this govt for the feelings of other communities and cultures and their hatred for dogs is just interfering now with people's freedom to enjoy the company of dogs and restaurants freedom to allow dogs.

The staff told me some customers have complained of dog fur but the majority don't mind and Sid's continued to welcome dogs. So if the restaurant owners choose to welcome dogs and the patrons are happy to hang out there with or without dogs, why should it be anyone else's business to stop them?

Guys if you have not registered to vote yet, please, please go and register right away as Pakatan Rakyat believes general elections might be called next year. If you want to stop this madness, please vote for Pakatan Rakyat next elections and even if you're sick or overseas, drag yourself to the polling station and LET YOUR VOICE BE COUNTED.

Doggie Vacation In September 09

2009-07-31T21:41:00.002+08:00

Great news!

Ruby's Resort in Cherating is open for a doggie vacation on these dates:

4/5/6 September & 11/12/13 September

Those who would like to check in with their dogs contact ruby@rubys-resort.com or call Ruby on 016-3600009. To learn more about Ruby's Resort go to http://www.rubys-resort.com/

Singapore based Acres Complains About Poor Condition Of Animals At Zoo Negara

2009-07-31T21:34:00.003+08:00

THE ANIMALS ARE NOT HAVING A ROARING TIME

NEW STRAITS TIMES 2009/07/26

KUALA LUMPUR: A visitor giving a plastic bag to a hungry elephant?

This was observed at Zoo Negara, and reported by Singapore-based Acres (Animal Concerns Research and Education Society) during an inspection in September last year.

"The female elephant was observed begging for food," said Acres executive director Louis Ng.

Ng said there were very few keepers at elephant enclosures to keep an eye on visitors around the animals.

As a result, visitors were seen making lots of noise around the enclosures and teasing the animals.

"We urge Zoo Negara to ensure that keepers or volunteers are stationed near all the enclosures at all times, especially during busy periods, to regulate visitor behaviour."

He said visitors could reach and touch the elephants' trunks, and could easily give food or objects to the animals, or throw food and objects into the enclosure.

Acres said that the enclosures of at least 10 types of animals at Zoo Negara failed to meet international standards.

Although standards for animal welfare at Zoo Negara were higher than most zoos in Malaysia, the inspection found the enclosures did not meet all of Acres' Acceptable Standards for the Wellbeing of Animals.

These standards include exhibition of animals, accommodation and care of animals, the policy for exhibiting primates and carnivores, as well as modern zoo practices .

The enclosures that were evaluated included those of the Asian elephants; Malayan sun bears; Asiatic black bears; Brown bears; African lions; Gir lions; Sumatran tigers; Bengal and Malaysian tigers; leopards and cougars.

Ng said the abnormal behaviour, including stereotypic behaviour, of the animals at the zoo was of great concern.

This indicated that the wellbeing of the animals was being compromised by their living conditions and/or husbandry.

"Most stereotypic behaviour occurs when animals fail to cope with or remove themselves from stressful situations."

Ng added that all the enclosures inspected were too small.

"The elephant enclosure was especially small, and it would be beneficial for the elephants to be moved to a larger, more natural environment. All of the bear enclosures were also far too small."

Ng said he was pleased that Zoo Negara had followed many of Acres' recommendations to improve animal welfare.

"The improvements that Zoo Negara has made this year include the refurbishment of the leopard enclosure, the addition of furniture to the Sumatran tiger and Gir lion enclosures, the cessation of elephant shows and releasing the elephants from chains during the day," he said.

For the long term, Acres recommends that zoos move away from traditional small cages and enclosures to larger, natural fenced areas.

They should also phase out keeping wide-ranging species such as elephants and polar bears on welfare grounds.

"We urge zoos to reconsider the keeping of species that are adapted to cold weather environments such as polar bears and brown bears, in tropical climates that are entirely unsuitable for them," said Ng.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) said Malaysia should have laws that stipulate minimum physical requirements for captive animals.

"Zoos will then have to conform to quality to receive the exhibitor's licence essential to legal operations," said SAM president S.M. Mohd Idris.

Idris said there had been letters to the press voicing concern over the animals in Zoo Negara.

"Then again zoos are always dependent on sponsorships or funding of sorts as gate collection alone is not enough.

"To increase gate collection, zoos are constantly taking in new species as added attractions to woo the public."

Idris said the number of animals which may be housed in a zoo should be limited.

A good zoo director, said Idris, would keep his inventory within limit, looking at the size, display space and funds that are available.

Rather than spending large amounts on building new exhibits and bringing in new species, Zoo Negara should instead improve existing animal enclosures by providing environmental enrichment.

Zoos, he added, should also make public the deaths of animals in their zoos as well as the causes.

"Zoo Negara should explain the cause of death of the 18 penguins out of 20 sourced from Singapore, the death of species like the pygmy hippopotamuses, cheetahs from Africa and Bawean deer from Indonesia.

"The zoo had nine of this endangered deer and four died."

He said a true appreciation of wildlife cannot be achieved by looking at bored, frustrated animals in cages.

"In these modern times, the Internet and television is where people learn about animals in their natural habitats."

Sabotaged Once Again

2009-07-21T11:36:00.002+08:00

EMAIL BELOW FROM MALAYSIAN DOGS DESERVE BETTER

Two weeks ago we were invited by some students from KDU to participate in their Rave2Save event.

They were organising a fund raising and pledged to hand over proceeds to for us to set up an animal shelter in Ampang. We never asked them for any money - as all we wanted was a venue for an impromptu adoption drive.

We were happy when the students asked us to bring the 50 over pups that we have rescued from the streets to be put up for adoption.

However, the student in charge called today saying that the "big organisation" does not want us there because 'we give our dogs and puppies up for adoption for free while they charge for adoptions.' They also pressured the students to keep us out and so we have been told not to come.

So, pray give us your feedback - is this a case of personal egos getting in the way of helping the strays?

The same thing happened when Furry Friends Farm started rescuing dogs from Pulau Ketam - nasty things were published about the sanctuary in the media by those affliated to the 'big organisation'. Is this fair? All we want is a venue where these unfortunate puppies can be put-up for adoption. Why deny us that? Why deny the poor strays a chance to secure homes?

malaysiandogsdeservebetter1@gmail.com

Woof Meow Charity Car Wash Postponed

2009-07-06T16:15:00.001+08:00

Dear all, its with a heavy heart that i wish to inform that the woof meow fund raising has been postponed to a future date (prob in another 2 months time).

This is because we encountered some problems with the venue and to avoid any inconvenience and to ensure a smooth fund raising event, we have decided to change the venue. We have had some good samaritans who have approached us for various tasks from organizing right up to volunteering for car washes. Should you wish to be part of this event, do drop me an email at shyam@voize.my to express your interest.

Now, the whole process of inviting and press releases repeats itself..Sigh! Please do look out for this event, its definitely happening.

I would like to thank everyone for the support and kindness shown towards this effort.

My sincere apologies :( woof woof
Shyam

Charity Car Wash & More At 3C Complex Subang Jaya

2009-06-23T10:47:00.007+08:00

WOOF MEOW CHARITY CAR WASH IN AID OF STRAY ANIMALS IN MALAYSIA

Host: Shyam Priah
Type: Causes - Fundraiser
Date: Saturday, July 11, 2009
Time: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Location: 3C Complex, SS13/3, Subang Jaya
Phone: 0196652387
Email: shyam@voize.my

Funds Raised For: Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better & Furry Friends Farm

A fundraising event in aid of stray dogs N cats in Msia. Activities include charity car wash, batik workshop, dance workshops, jumble sale, food, celebrities, indie music and more!

Pulau Ketam Dogs Rescue In The Star Weekender Today

2009-05-30T12:11:00.006+08:00

Please read my story in the Star today on the Pulau Ketam dog dumping issue. Worthwhile getting the print as well:

http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2009/5/30/lifefocus/3980146&sec=lifefocus

http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2009/5/30/lifefocus/3980153&sec=lifefocus

Malaysia Dog Day 2009

2009-05-29T13:06:00.002+08:00

MALAYSIA DOG DAY 2009

Date : June 28th , 2009
Venue : Chin Woo Stadium, Kuala Lumpur
Time : 8:30am - 4:30pm
Admission : Free

The event is open to all dogs lovers. Owner of Mixed Breeds and Pure Breeds dog and their dogs, their Family , are welcome. First time held in a fully air-conditioned indoor stadium. Program includes various competitions and lucky draw.

Chin Woo Stadium is in the vicinity of Stadium Merdeka and Stadium Negara Kuala Lumpur.

Address:
Chin Woo Stadium, Jalan Hang Jebat, Kuala Lumpur.

Vet Killed My Cat

2009-05-24T16:42:00.001+08:00

This complaint below was taken from Allo' Expat Malaysia forum:

We sent our 2 lovely cats and a dog for boarding over the xmas holidays. It was a 2 week holiday. Normally we would have our amah feed the cats at home while we send the dog for boarding if it was just a couple of days, but this was 2 weeks. and our amah was also celebrating x'mas too. so off we sent them to our vet for a two week boarding.

We picked them up as soon as we got home, the vet with a stupid grin sat behind the counter and said 'oh, i have a very interesting story to tell. your cat escaped on x'mas day. but we found him again, killed by our guard dogs.'

I couldn't believe my ears. was he telling us a joke? the method of delivery was so insensitive. 'we don't know how he escaped. there are 35 other cats that time. we have tried our best to take care of him.'

I can't believe it....I still can't believe. I lost my cat over christmas. I can't even write about this. I just want people to know, this can happen in a vet or boarding, and they can treat it like as if its just another thing. He had the nerve to say 'I have 2 other cats, I can give one to you if you want.'.

I can't believe this guy!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you are in living in Miri, remember this - Live Animals Center. He was grinning while he was delivering the message, and he didn't even have the decency to stand up, walk around the counter to greet us and say 'I'm sorry, I have an unpleasant news.' We asked his wife why was he grinning, she said, he was trying to make it 'light'.

My cat was killed by their guard dogs...in their own words..'we found the carcass on the 27th December'. We didn't receive any calls. Not then, not ever, we learnt the news only on the day we went to pick the pets up.

This is not acceptable! And we souldn't allow such mediocre pet services to go on. I'm sharing this for you lot with pets. I've shared this with other forum and have found out that incidences like this happens all over Malaysia (KL and Penang in particular). SO next time you visit your vet or your pet store, look around the facilities, more important if you're boarding them or having them treated there. Some vets are so laxed and profit driven, with no intent to care for the pets but instead sees them as live/stock animals and nothing more. This vet had the nerve to say 'no problem, we have 2 cats that you can chose and have for exchange.'.

Pet care has a long way to go from those available in UK, states and Australia. Sadly, my cat, Baloo, has suffered the worse. :(

Pulau Ketam sent 300 stray dogs to a remote island to starve to death. Please help with rescue!

2009-05-04T12:52:00.003+08:00

The residents of Pulau Ketam sent some 300 stray dogs to exile on a remote island where the harsh conditions almost certainly guarantee a horrible death. Of the 300 dogs sent there, more than three-quarters are presumed to be already dead. I traveled to the island with Sabrina Yeap of Furry Friends Farm and managed to save only one dog on this reconnaissance trip. We did see several other starving and dying dogs along the mangrove shore.

I am mounting an urgent rescue mission to capture and transport the remaining survivors back to Sabrina's Furry Friends Farm animal shelter. But time is running out and there might be only skeletons and carcasses left to collect on our next trip. Boat hire is expensive there. It is a tourist area and it has already cost me a few hundred ringgit for boat hire alone, so far. The rescued dogs cannot be transported on the regular ferries.

Almost nobody will lift a finger to help without a fee. This is understandable. The locals are already shaking their heads in disbelief that there are outsiders who want to save the animals they so casually discarded. Instead of pointing fingers and antagonising them, we need their co-operation to help save the unfortunate creatures. In the process, we also hope to educate the islanders on better treatment of animals. It would be an impossible mission if we didn't win their hearts.

If you are unable to help directly, please help by forwarding this appeal to other compassionate folks who you feel might be able to make some monetary contributions.

Apart from boat hire, we need money to buy cages, to pay people to help catch them, to hire land transport to send the rescued animals to veterinary clinics, pay for vet fees, send the recovered ones to the shelter and to feed and house them for life. I can go on!

To donate or help, e-mail TV Smith at tvsmith@mycen.com.my or Sabrina Yeap at yeapwen@yahoo.com

Fellow bloggers, you can also help by embedding the appeal poster above to your blog and linking to http://www.mycen.com.my/rescue

We are aware it is a monumental task and appreciate all forms of support, assistance, suggestions, encouragement and your prayers.

Thank you and don't forget to view the pictures of the dogs in order to appreciate their plight.

TV Smith

3rd May 2009

Letter From A Shelter Manager (The Sad Truth)

2009-04-27T20:59:00.004+08:00

A Letter from a Shelter Manager (forwarded to us by Yen):

I think our society needs a huge " Wake-up" call. As a shelter manager, I am going to share a little insight with you all. ..a view from the inside if you will.

First off, all of you breeders/sellers should be made to work in the "back" of an animal shelter for just one day.

Maybe if you saw the life drain from a few sad, lost, confused eyes, you would change your mind about breeding and selling to people you don't even know. That puppy you just sold will most likely end up in my shelter when it's not a cute little puppy anymore.

So how would you feel if you knew that there's about a > 90% chance that dog will never walk out of the shelter it is going to be dumped at? Purebred or not!

About 50% of all of the dogs that are "owner surrenders" or "strays" that come into my shelter are purebred dogs.

The most common excuses I hear are;

"We are moving and we can't take our dog (or cat).

" Really? Where are you moving to that doesn't allow pets and why did you choose that place instead of a pet friendly home?

Or they say "The dog got bigger than we thought it would".

How big did you think a German Shepherd would get?

"We don't have time for her". Really? I work a 10- 12 hour day and still have time for my 6 dogs!

"She's tearing up our yard". How about making her a part of your family?

They always tell me: "We just don't want to have to stress about finding a place for her we know she'll get adopted, she's a good dog."

Odds are your pet won't get adopted & how stressful do you think being in a shelter is? Well, let me tell you, your pet has 72 hours to find a new family from the moment
you drop it off. Sometimes a little longer if the shelter isn't full and your dog manages to stay completely healthy. If it sniffles, it dies.

Your pet will be confined to a small run/kennel in a room with about 25 other barking or crying animals. It will have to relieve itself where it eats and sleeps.

It will be depressed and it will cry constantly for the family that abandoned it.

If your pet is lucky, I will have enough volunteers in that day to take him/her for a walk. If I don't, your pet won't get any attention besides having a bowl of food slid under the kennel door and the waste sprayed out of its pen with a high-powered hose.

If your dog is big, black or any of the "Bully" breeds (pit bull, rottie, mastiff, etc) it was pretty much dead when you walked it through the front door. Those dogs just don't get adopted.

It doesn't matter how 'sweet' or 'well behaved' they are. If your dog doesn't get adopted within its 72 hours and the shelter is full, it will be destroyed.

If the shelter isn't full and your dog is good enough, and of a desirable enough breed it may get a stay of execution, but not for long.

Most dogs get very kennel protective after about a week and are destroyed for showing aggression. Even the sweetest dogs will turn in this environment.

If your pet makes it over all of those hurdles chances are it will get kennel cough or an upper respiratory infection and will be destroyed because shelters just don't have the funds to pay for even a $100 treatment.

Here's a little euthanasia 101 for those of you that have never witnessed a perfectly healthy, scared animal being "put-down"....

First, your pet will be taken from its kennel on a leash. They always look like they think they are going for a walk - happy, wagging their tails.

Until, they get to "The Room", every one of them freak out and put the brakes on when we get to the door. It must smell like death or they can feel the sad souls that are left in there, it's strange, but it happens with every one of them.

Your dog or cat will be restrained, held down by 1 or 2 vet techs depending on the size and how freaked out they are.

Then a euthanasia tech or a vet will start the process. They will find a vein in the front leg and inject a lethal dose of the "pink stuff".

Hopefully your pet doesn't panic from being restrained and jerk. I've seen the needles tear out of a leg and been covered with the resulting blood and been deafened by the yelps and screams.

They all don't just "go to sleep", sometimes they spasm for a while, gasp for air and defecate on themselves.

When it all ends, your pet's corpse will be stacked like firewood in a large freezer in the back with all of the other animals that were killed waiting to be picked up like garbage.

What happens next? Cremated? Taken to the dump? Rendered into pet food? You'll never know and it probably won't even cross your mind. It was just an animal and you can always buy another one, right?

I hope that those of you that have read this are bawling your eyes out and can't get the pictures out of your head I deal with everyday on the way home from work.

I hate my job, I hate that it exists & I hate that it will always be there unless you people make some changes and realize that the lives you are affecting go much further than the pets you dump at a shelter.

Between 9 and 11 MILLION animals die every year in shelters and only you can stop it. I do my best to save every life I can but rescues are always full, and there are more animals coming in everyday than there are homes.

My point to all of this: DON'T BREED OR BUY WHILE SHELTER PETS DIE!

Hate me if you want to. The truth hurts and reality is what it is.

I just hope I maybe changed one person's mind about breeding their dog, taking their loving pet to a shelter, or buying a dog.

I hope that someone will walk into my shelter and say "I saw this and it made me want to adopt." THAT WOULD MAKE IT WORTH IT!

DON'T BUY FROM PET SHOPS. ADOPT FROM AN ANIMAL SHELTER. CALL YEN IF YOU CAN PROVIDE A HOME FOR A RESCUED DOG OR CAT. CALL HER ALSO IF YOU WANT TO BOARD YOUR PETS. SHE HAS A GREAT PLACE AND THEY WON'T BE CAGED. THE INCOME SHE EARNS FROM BOARDING GOES INTO RESCUING AND REHOMING STRAYS. SO YOUR PETS HAVE A GREAT TIME WHILE YOU ARE AWAY AND IN THE PROCESS YOU ARE ALSO HELPING ABANDONED AND HOMELESS ANIMALS.YEN: 012 415 1524

Jill Robinson Attend's FFF Ambassador, Jewel's, Birthday Party

2009-04-23T16:07:00.003+08:00

Story below from NST Streets dated April 1, 2009

The Furry Friends Farm is extending a helping hand to absorb 20 Pulau Ketam's stray animals. If you can help to raise funds please call 016 631 9018.

KAJANG: Residents of Murni Charity Home attended a rather unusual birthday party at their residence recently.

The birthday party was held in honour of Jewel, a rescued stray dog, which had touched the hearts of many with her resilience.

Before she was rescued, Jewel had struck up a friendship with a road sweeper in Taman Wahyu, Jalan Ipoh.

Although she was in pain after injuring her right hind leg in two accidents, Jewel did not complain and was content to tag along with her friend, the sweeper.

The man had built a little shelter for her in the corner of a children's playground.

One day, Jewel was almost nabbed by dog catchers from the municipal council.

She was rescued by a family who contacted an animal shelter called the Furry Friends Farm for help.

Her rescuers and the sweeper paid for her treatment at a private veterinary clinic.

Jewel had an operation recently to amputate her injured hind leg.

She continues to be an inspiration to people around her.

Besides celebrating her second birthday on March 23, Jewel was also appointed the Furry Friends Farm's third ambassador.

Furry Friends Farm principal Sabrina Yeap said the celebration was a beacon of hope to all strays and carried a special message under the organisation's Love and Care for Every Stray programme which was introduced last October in conjunction with World Animal Day.

"There has to be greater awareness on the part of individuals and the government in the treatment of animals.

"Our organisation stands for more humane treatment of strays, while helping to brighten up the lives of people with disabilities," said Yeap.

Baby Orang Utan Kisses Soldier

2009-04-19T22:42:00.007+08:00

From The Star Newspaper

FIRST ENCOUNTER TURNS INTO ORANG UTAN RESCUE MISSION
By SHARON LING

KUCHING: Highly-decorated former soldier Kanang Langkau has killed communists deep in Malaysian jungles, but has never seen a baby orang utan before.

“In all my 25 years serving in the jungle during my army days, I never came across a baby orang utan.

“They’re so rare and we need to protect them so that our grandchildren can still see them in the future,” he said.

[Pucker up: Kanang (right) getting a kiss from the baby orang utan before handing the primate over to Landong]

Kanang, who was shot three times when his platoon ambushed a communist camp in Perak in 1980 and killed five communists, was awarded the Panglima Gagah Berani and Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa medals in 1981.

He had his first encounter with the baby primate last Friday when his friend businessman Tay Choon Yong was driving through the Lingga bazaar near Sri Aman, about 200km from here, and came across a boy playing with the baby orang utan by the roadside.

“I don’t know how the boy got hold of the orang utan but I suspect it was being kept as a pet,” Tay said.

Tay persuaded the boy to give him the animal by telling him that it could not be kept as a pet and that it probably would not survive in captivity.

He then called Kanang to inform him about the orang utan and Kanang proposed sending it to Semenggoh.

The two drove here yesterday to hand the animal over to Sarawak Forestry staff members and requested for it to be named Simanggang after the old name for the Sri Aman division where it was found.

Sarawak Forestry chief park warden Wilfred Landong said the orang utan would be sent to the Matang Wildlife Centre for rehabilitation and possibly released back into the wild.

“We may release it in the Kubah National Park, where the Matang Wildlife Centre is located, or at Semenggoh,” he said.

He added that special care would need to be given to the baby as it was without its mother.

“We’ll see if it can have a surrogate mother at Matang,” he said.

Landong said Sarawak Forestry would also investigate how the baby orang utan ended up in captivity.

He said Sarawak Forestry would send a team to Lingga to find out whether there was any previously unknown orang utan habitat in the area.

“We’re very interested in finding out if there’s a new habitat there. If yes, we will propose steps to protect the area,” he said.

Successful Adoption Drive

2009-04-10T09:50:00.019+08:00

Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better held an adoption drive at a mall at Ara Damansara recently and it was a hugh success. It was wonderful to hear Wani, one of the organizers, say "We've run out of dogs".

What's more lovely to this endearing story is that many of the dogs were rescued from the DBKL Setapak pound which TV3 exposed in its programme as having allegedly abused dogs and cats, beating them to death and drowning them, according to public complaints.

Here is Wani interviewing a potential family for one of the pound dogs. This couple have already fallen in love with this young pup but Wani is concerned they live in Bentong.

After bringing over another team member from MDDB who is able to check up on them in Bentong the happy couple's application is finally given some consideration. Regular follow-ups are done to ensure the adopted dogs have gone to loving homes.

Another happy family in above pix after a successful adoption.

Education is not forgotten with posters of newspaper stories and other write-ups and notices to inform the public of their responsibilities in the area of animal welfare.

Can you believe this little guy was rescued from the DBKL pound? His proud guardian holding on to his leash said he didn't look like this when she first took him from the pound. His skin condition was bad and he was malnutritioned. We cannot believe it from looking at him now. His coat is thick and shiny and he walked around proudly with a plastic container around his neck collecting donations from the public.

The cats were not forgotten too. It is amazing to see the transformation of grubby looking cats living on the streets in the hands of these angels from MDDB group. They look so beautiful and healthy. This is what love can do. To think these angels are just ordinary folk like you and me who, on many occasions, personally bear the expenses of fostering these animals is even more remarkable.

If you would like to learn more about this group and see how you can help them, visit: http://malaysiandogsdeservebetter.blogspot.com