SHAH ALAM, Sept 28 — The Royal Klang City Council (MBDK) is expected to begin construction of the Dog Shelter and Sterilisation Centre planned in Pulau Indah in the first half of next year.
Councillor Ngian Yoke Mooi said the building plans are currently at the final stage before being submitted to the non-governmental organisation (NGO) that will operate the centre.
The NGO's suggestions for improvements would be considered before the project enters the tender process.
“MBDK has already allocated funds for the construction. Once the tender process is completed, construction work can begin and is expected to start in the first half of next year,” she told Media Selangor.
Ngian added that the 2.5-hectare facility will adopt a trap-neuter-release and adoption approach.
Its planned amenities are animal exercise areas, a quarantine area, and an operating theatre for sterilisation procedures.
“The NGO operating the centre will engage a veterinary doctor specifically to carry out sterilisation procedures on stray dogs that have been captured,” she said.
Meanwhile, the existing shelter in Port Klang will continue to be used after the new centre is completed to increase the capacity for managing stray dogs.
Ngian said that MBDK received 1,594 complaints related to stray dogs from January to August this year.
During the same period, 1,141 dogs and 18 cats were vaccinated, while 2,220 dog licences were issued, compared with 2,139 licences during the corresponding period last year.
MBDK currently has two dog-catching teams, and the NGO expects to add another team once the new centre begins operations.
She noted that the capture methods will follow guidelines issued by the Housing and Local Government Ministry.
“Stray dog populations reproduce rapidly, and there are communities where groups of 20 to 30 dogs can be found.
“The existing centre is also ageing, so new facilities are needed for more effective management,” Ngian said.
Previously, Klang Mayor Datuk Abd Hamid Hussain said the project is estimated to cost approximately RM1 million.
The centre will house stray or abandoned dogs, carry out sterilisation programmes to control the population, and encourage pet adoption.
