Remembering Sheena

Animals have rights too

2010-04-20T13:09:00.009+08:00

From a Column published in Malaysia Kini
By Jeswan Kaur, April 19, 2010

ANIMALS HAVE RIGHTS TOO

Five years ago, when a German Shepherd by the name of Sheena was abandoned by her irresponsible owner, the dog died a painful death, due to starvation which led to the failure of her internal organs. The owner claimed he was busy moving house and was obvious he wanted to get rid of this faithful guard dog in the easiest way possible.

Sheena's abuse and subsequent death caused an outcry among animal lovers who were all willing to punish the owner themselves if they could. And their disgust at the way Sheena's engineer owner left his pet dog of seven years to die never ceased all because the owner , Lien Chong San of USJ 17, Subang Jaya received nothing short of a slap on the wrist from the law - Lien was fined a pathetic RM100 in default of two days' jail. He was charged under Section 44 (1) (d) of the Animal Ordinance 1953, which carried a maximum fine of RM200 or a maximum six months jail or both.

Instead of taking responsibility for her well being, Lien took the easy way out and let Sheena die a painful death, leaving her with no water to drink or food to eat when he moved house. Could he not make any arrangement to have the dog adopted? Did Lien not know of the existence of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) or the Performing Animals Welfare Society (PAWS) which could have helped him find Sheena a new owner?

What was and is still revolting is to note the zero value and respect the law places on animals. The Animal Act Ordinance 1953 itself has little sympathy for animals, looking at its absurd penalty of a maximum fine of RM200 or a jail term of six months. The Animal Ordinance came under fire after animal lover Sabrina Yeop, formerly of SPCA Selangor, revealed her frustrations at the light sentences imposed on animal abusers. Together with a SPCA volunteer Dawn Peacock, Yeop drafted the SPCA petition to amend the Animal Ordinance 1953.

Since 1953 only two or three abusers received jail sentences and that too which were never more than two days. Fifty two years later and the situation remained unchanged when Sheena's heartless owner was only slapped a RM100 fine.

The government passed the new Animal Act 2006 but typically the Act was a cosmetic attempt by the government to claim its concern over the issue of animal abuse. Sadly, not a single provision of the Animal Ordinance 1953 was changed. Why? Have the law makers no heart, forgetting how a lovable Sheena met her death?

Animal rights non-existent in Malaysia

It was reported that a recent incident in Johor Baru saw five men armed with sticks attacking several harmless stray cats and dogs that were under the care of the Johor Baru Humane Touch Animal Welfare Society in Taman Delima.

In 2005 The Star reported an abuse case by a cat breeder. The breeder was charged in court for neglecting the cats he used for breeding by forcing them to lie in small cages alongside their own feces, resulting in an unbearable stench.

If the animal abuse is not heartbreaking enough, the indifferent attitude of the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) has worsened matters. The public has often complained that they received no response from the department each time they reported an abuse. In Sheena's case, the newspapers reported that the neighbour telephoned DVS three times and yet the department did nothing.

Now, why the lackadaisical attitude in rescuing abused animals? Has religion anything to do with saving dogs i.e. dogs are an issue the DVS has no interest in? Until and unless religion is used to discriminate animals, Malaysia's dogs and cats have little hope in being saved.

It is baffling to understand why the government has little interest in creating stiffer penalty for animal abusers. Animals will be given no respect by their owners if the law provides negligible punishment. There are times that the court returns the abused animals to the abusers even after a guilty verdict is pronounced. This show of no pity for animals gives out a message to society that it is alright to harm or abuse animals.

More recently, online news site Malaysiakini on March 17 carried a letter from a reader by the name of M Nisha who wrote about the ghastly animal abuse at the Kepong Central KTM station. The incident took place on March 15 at 3pm. The writer heard a dog howling in a painful cry and she saw the canine being tied to the grille of the station (right). The dog's leg and neck were tied very tightly to the grille and a piece of wood had been shoved down its throat! The dog was bleeding and surrounded by its feces.

When the writer confronted the KTM workers they said the culprits were the Kuala Lumpur City Hall workers because a minister would be visiting the station the following week.

Malaysian style, use people, abuse animals

It is deplorable to learn that just to facilitate a minister's visit, City Hall workers will go to any length to make an impression. It seems they have no qualms murdering dogs or cats just to cover their otherwise questionable performances. Everyone knows just how "efficient" the City Hall workers are. But to abuse a dog or cat is sickening and even more pathetic is the fact that the minister in question cared two hoots about animals rights to take the workers involved to task.

Current prime minister Najib Abdul Razak (left) has no time for animals because they are in no position to give him their votes, hence they are useless to him. That's why as a shrewd politician he devised the claim 'rakyat didahulukan pencapaian diutamakan'. He has made no mention of animal care ever since taking over leadership of Malaysia.

In fact none of the country's prime ministers' can be remembered for having had any pets. Their inability to reach out to animals is reflected in the shameful penalty in the Animal Ordinance 1953 and now Animal Act 2006.

If any of the politicians or leaders had any love for animals, they would have been aghast at the way Sheena was abused and the hopeless punishment given to her owner. But as animals have no voice, they cannot cry out against the abuse they suffer, so there is no need for the politicians or the government to worry about in being accused of not doing their job.

I throw Najib a challenge - do whatever it takes to reflect love, compassion and respect for animals by everyone irrespective of their position or status. Amend the toothless Animal Act 2006. Be the pet owners or local council workers, none must be spared. No more abuse of animals to please VIPs or get into their good books. Also, do not spare local council workers who are merciless in dealing with stray cats and dogs.

End cruelty towards animals

If countries like India, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Hong Kong can display affection towards animal through stiffer penalties against animal abusers, what is stopping Malaysia?

India is leading in increasing number of convictions for animal abuse with stiff penalties. One court in India stopped the bullock cart race held during temple festivals because the cows are beaten with sticks to make them move faster.

While UAE's laws not only protect domestic pets but also stray animals. Abuse of an animal is punishable with imprisonment of up to one year and a fine of not more than RM10,000 or both.

A few years ago, Hong Kong passed The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Bill 2006 to impose stiffer penalties for animal cruelty. The fine was raised from US$641 to US$25, 641 and a jail term of three years. The government even set up a hotline to report abuse and citizens could call the police who are given the authority to arrest animal abusers.

And what about Malaysia? The politicians here are too busy playing politics to save their backs to even spare a thought for animals, be they pets or strays.

Like in Hong Kong, a hotline to report animal abuse is needed here in Malaysia. Animal abusers must be made to do community service at animal shelters besides serving jail term, all to make them realise that animal life is just as precious as human life, if not more.

Another important move is to educate children from young to show affection towards animals and to become responsible pet owners. Set up 'love animals' clubs in primary and secondary schools and continue in colleges and universities. It is not only humans, animals too need love and lots of it.

And it is not too much to ask for a ministry to dedicate itself to deal with animal affairs, is it? If Najib could upon becoming the country's sixth prime minister, quickly visit places like Puduraya and Brickfields which are the prime areas, why has he not visited the animals shelters SPCA and PAWS. Why did he not set a precedent by adopting a cat or two and encourage his colleagues to do so? Is it very difficult to work with corporate companies and reward those who are genuine animal lovers and who adopt pets from shelters?

Obama's pet pooch

The government can help sponsor 'adopt-a-pet' to orphanages and old folks by subsidising the cost of maintaining a pet. Obviously, there is a lot that can be done to provide animals at shelters a home and family if only the government is dedicated and committed to saving animals which is not the case in Malaysia.

Having pets does wonders for one's health and Najib must set an example by giving cats at shelters a home and family. Life is not all about politics and power, it is also about sharing love with animals, be they cats or dogs and be they strays or pedigree.

Najib is beaming from ear to ear having been given an opportunity to hold a 40-minute long bilateral talk with United States president Barack Obama (right), their first ever, ahead of the Nuclear Summit in Washington, on April 12. It is a shame that Najib made no effort to learn from Obama about caring for animals. For Najib's information, Obama wasted no time in getting a pet dog for his family upon becoming the President of the USA.

At his first Press conference, Obama was questioned by reporters on which breed the family was looking to acquire and he replied, "our preference would be to get a shelter dog but obviously a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me." The Obamas' soon became proud owners of a male Portuguese Water dog they named Bo which by the way was also neutered.

So, Najib and family, please take a cue from Obama and go to the rescue of the many adorable cats awaiting homes and families at animal shelters.

This article is dedicated to my two sons' Timor and Putra for teaching me about unconditional love and to all the animals out there who bring a touch of happiness into our lives. Thank you.

KTMB’s Odd Explanation For Dog Abuse On Its Premises

2010-04-20T12:42:00.005+08:00

RSC's letter sent to Malaysia Kini:

I refer to M Nisha’s letter published in Malaysiakini on March 17, 2010 regarding a stray dog she and her friends found at KTMB, tied to a grille with its neck arched back and a wooden stick down its throat. Malaysia kini published the horrific photos.

The Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better (MDDB) published on March 20, a statement it received from KTMB in response to Nisha’s published letter.

KTMB's letter, seems overly eager to exonerate DBKL, even groveling by saying “We hope DBKL is willing to accept our sincere apology.” The full letter may be read here:

http://malaysiandogsdeservebetter.blogspot.com/

The sad fact is how are we to believe DBKL is not at fault when DBKL and other municipal councils all over Malaysia have been accused of so many dog abuses for years now and reported in the press too.

Why should we believe this case was different? Wasn’t DBKL in the news just last February when TV3, through its programme called 360, exposed DBKL Setapak for beating stray dogs to death and drowning stray cats. What happened to the Selangor state allocation for humane euthanasia? Where did this money go if it was not being put to the use it was allocated for?

Worse, KTMB President writes in his letter that KTMB called the Selayang council to seize the dog in Nisha’s photos. The Selayang council are now in the press for allegedly leaving dogs to die of starvation and thirst in their pound -and this has been going on for years!!!

This is also the same council which offered prize money up to RM15,000 to the public for their controversial dog catching competition which it scraped after public expressed their outrage.

Another article in the Star dated April 26, 2008 reported that DBKL was going on a dog poisoning spree around Old Klang Road where an eye-witness’ pet nearly died from eating the contaminated food.

A person left a comment on Cicak.com to an article by Davina Goh that she was an eye-witness to dog catchers dragging a female dog forcefully by the neck “while she was still giving birth”. Are these demons born with mothers and sisters?

Wasn’t it also a municipal council that encouraged residents of Pulau Ketam to trap and dump stray dogs on watery islands?

These dogs were left to starve and die of thirst. Those that tried to escape to the nearby kelongs were promptly thrown back into the sea by workers. So desperate was their situation that some dogs began cannibalizing the weak ones while they were still alive.

A Star newspaper article dated April 9, 2009 reported that the Majlis Perbandaran Klang councilor in charge of Pulau Ketam paid the residents money to commit this heinous act.

After so much has happened over all these years, KTMB would have us believe that their staff was “sadly mistaken” when he accused DBKL of shoving the wood down a poor stray dog’s throat and tied it on its back to a grill with the wood sticking up.

Serene LEE Siew Yin wrote in her letter of complaint to the Prime Minister copied to the local councils that, “The stick that has been used to stuff into the dog's throat has also been identified as the pole normally used by council dog catchers”.

KTMB claimed their staff and not DBKL restrained the dog and it was not as horrific as Nisha claimed it to be. The dog, says the letter, bit on the wood and the staff couldn’t remove it. The photo clearly shows the end of the stick easily a good way into the dog’s throat and KTMB must think we are fools to disbelief the photo and believe them!

KTMB’s President has clearly admitted in his letter to MDDB that it is KTMB that is responsible for this despicable act upon the dog. So, why isn’t Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) taking action against KTMB? Malaysia’s Animal Act 2006 compels them to act on animal abuse reports.

Due to the failure of the municipal councils, the DVS, the failure of existing animal shelters which are no more than just dumping grounds for unwanted pets, ordinary Malaysians are forced to work in groups called independent rescuers, scouring the streets to rescue and re-home strays.

The limited resources of these people are stretched further now that they have to play advocate to fight for the rights of these animals when every establishment set up to protect them has failed.

In western countries animal shelters are more pro-active in educating the public on animal welfare issues and advocate and lobby for them before the government.

In Malaysia we only hear from animal shelters for donations or when there is a scandal big enough for public outcry reported in the newspapers.

I shudder to consider the fate of animals in Malaysia if not for organizations like MDDB and other loose bands of independent rescuers tirelessly receiving strays into their homes and hearts, feeding and caring and re-homing.

Why should all these rescuers spend their own money and time doing this? The rescuers are falling sick from the enormity of the problem, but bless their hearts, they can't turn away and struggling to cope as best they can.

What are the DVS and councils being paid for? Why are taxpayers money going to these government departments for work they are not doing?

Something is very wrong when you live in a country where such acts of cruelty is rampant...to the point that the public are sickened to the pits of their stomachs...and then find out there is NO WHERE, NO ONE, NO HELP, NO RECOURSE WHATSOEVER for such crimes to be reported, punished and ensured it will not happen again. Why?

The frightening truth is the very people who are supposed to protect these animals are themselves being accused of this abuse, on the one hand, like the municipal councils, and on the other hand like the DVS and Wildlife Department taking no action against animal abuses.

Please, please register to vote if you are not yet a voter and vote for Pakatan Rakyat.

Thousands March To Protest Bullfighting In Spain

2010-03-29T12:20:00.009+08:00

Thousands March Against Bullfighting In Spanish Capital

MalaysiaKini Mar 29, 2010

Several thousand people marched through the streets of Madrid Sunday to call for bullfighting to be outlawed amid a growing national debate over the practice which animal activists condemn as a form of torture.

The protest was organised by about 50 animal rights and anti-bullfighting groups in response to plans by the conservative regional government of Madrid to declare bullfighting part of the region's cultural heritage, which would give it some legal protection.

Mireya Barbeto, spokeswoman for the tiny anti-bullfighting political party PACMA, said the march demonstrated society's "rejection" of the measure, which the regional governments of Valencia and Murcia are also planning to take.

"In Madrid over 70 percent of the population rejects these acts of barbarism and torture, a national shame," she told AFP.

Some 20,000 people took part in the protests, which had as a slogan "Torture is Not Culture", according to the party. Police gave no estimate but the online edition of daily El Pais put the number of participant at between 2,000-3,000.

"Embarrassing and cruel ritual from yesterday's Spain!" and "Neither art nor culture. Torture!" were among some of the slogans on display on signs. Some featured pictures of slain bulls in a bullfighting arena in a pool of blood.

A large number of the participants at the demonstration were under the age of 30.

Earlier this month the head of the regional government of Madrid, Esperanza Aguirre, said she planned to declare bullfighting part of the region's cultural heritage, arguing it had been a source of inspiration for painters like Goya and Picasso and authors such as Orson Welles and Ernest Hemingway.

"It's an art that has been in our culture as long as we can remember," she told reporters as she posed with a matador's cape.

The announcement by Aguirre, who political commentators say has ambitions to lead the main opposition Popular Party, comes as the regional parliament of the northeastern region of Catalonia is considering a ban on bullfighting as requested by a petition signed by over 180,000 voters.

If the motion is approved in Catalonia, home to Barcelona, Spain's second-largest city, it would become the first region in the country, outside of the Canary Islands, to ban the practice.

The wealthy region, where many seek independence from Spain, has led opposition to bullfighting, in part due to a desire among some Catalans to strike a separate identity from the rest of the country.

In 2003 it passed a sweeping animal protection law that restricted towns without bullrings from building them and prohibited all children under 14 from attending bullfights.

During the right-wing dictatorship of General Francisco Franco, bullfighting was promoted as a unifying national spectacle.

But its mass appeal has faded with polls showing a rising disinterest in bullfighting throughout Spain, especially among the young, although it retains a passionate following and leading matadors are treated as celebrities - AFP

Ahmad Suhaimi DVS No. 2 suggest Malaysians start eating dogs from the pound

2010-03-18T16:24:00.006+08:00

And this is the No. 2 man of the DVS, a government body that is supposed to advise the government and advocate animal welfare in this country!!!

The Sun Newspaper
by Meena L. Ramadas

PETALING JAYA (March 7, 2010): People with a penchant for exotic meat should be allowed to buy dogs from dog pounds for consumption, Department of Veterinary Services(DVS) deputy director general Dr Ahmad Suhaimi Omar says.

Ahmad Suhaimi, who made the suggestion at a forum on effective animal pound management organised by the Petaling Jaya City Council’s Canine Advisory Team last week, said people who have no qualms about eating dog meat should be allowed to eat dogs kept in pounds.

“Do we have to keep the dogs at the pounds forever?” he asked. “They are animals, just like chickens or goats,” he added.

He said consuming dogs kept in pounds will help to check the number of strays at the pounds and help address any unmanageable increase of strays.

His suggestion sparked an outburst from a veterinarian who was among those attending the forum.

Without identifying herself, the vet, who appeared to be quite emotional, said: “About consuming dogs, the answer is simply no.”

She said as an animal lover, it was unimaginable to consume dogs and strays at that.

“I find the suggestion inhumane and cruel,” she said.

Ahmad Suhaimi responded by saying he too did not have the stomach to eat stray dogs, but as a veterinarian who is required to think clinically, it is important to consider all options when dealing with the issue of strays.

“I like to think outside the box,” he said with a laugh, which received some sniggers from those present.

Ahmad Suhaimi’s pitch, however, did not make the cut.

The forum made five recommendations for animal pound management.

This were that local councils should work with the veterinary department; local councils should cooperate with NGOs on catching strays; micro-chipping canines for easy ownership identification, educating pet owners and more stringent licensing laws.

A total of 12 local councils participated in the forum which was held in light of media reports last week about the appalling conditions at the Selayang Municipal Council’s (MPS) dog pound.

State executive councillor for health Dr Xavier Jayakumar, at a press conference earlier, said municipal councils have been instructed to maintain cleanliness at their pounds, and to work with the VSD. Officers in charge also have to treat sick animals and follow guidelines when euthanising them. -- theSun

Dog Tied To A Grill And Wood Stuck Down Its Throat

2010-03-18T15:51:00.005+08:00

The sick behaviour of municipal councillors are now bordering on psychotic. Now even the number two man of DVS, Ahmad Suhaimi is suggesting we Malaysians acquire a palate for dog meat [see story above]. It is truly frightening to think these people are the ones in charge.

Letter published in Malaysiakini
Mar 2010

I am writing because of a grievous incident that took place on Monday, March 15 at about 3pm at Kepong Central KTM Station. My friends and I (six of us) were there to take the train to the Bank Negara station.

After parking our cars, we heard a dog howling, more like a painful cry. Then, we noticed a dog being tied to the grill (steel fence) of the KTM station. As we approached the dog, we stood aghast at the sight.

The stray dog's leg and neck was tied very tightly to the grill and a piece of wood had been shoved down inside its throat! The dog was bleeding and its feces were all around it. The string was attached to a pole in the KTM station.

Immediately, we confronted the KTM workers. They said that it was done by Kuala Lumpur City Hall workers because a minister was to be visiting the station next week. They failed to explain further.

At once, we called the SPCA and the Paws animal welfare society. The SPCA responded efficiently by informing us that an animal control officer would be there soon. We made a slight commotion in front of the KTM station but the KTM workers were not concerned at all.

After about an hour, as we were returning to the KTM Kepong Central Station, we received a call from the SPCA officer stating that the dog was now not tied up and was moving around. When we arrived, the dog was limping. The same KTM workers avoided us as we tried to confront them. A passer-by told us that the dog has been that way for quite some time.

The SPCA officer could not capture the dog as it walked away for quite a distance. He advised us to write to the media and to the SPCA as well.

Doesn't our country's animal rights support the idea that an animal has the right to live its life without being harmed and hurt by humans? We realize that people define the meaning of animal rights and abuse in different ways but aren't the citizens of our country merciful? This dog could have been just put to sleep if it had been harming the public or causing a nuisance. Why stick a wooden stick down its throat?

Don't Buy Kentucky Fried Chicken

2010-03-02T23:02:00.003+08:00

PETA Asia will be holding a series of demonstrations against KFC in Malaysia and we need your help! Join us in protest against KFC’s refusal to eliminate the worst abuses that chickens suffer in the factory farms and slaughterhouses of its suppliers, including crippling injuries because of cruel breeding practices and the overuse of drugs, having their throats slit while they are still conscious, and being dunked into tanks of scalding-hot water while they are still alive and able to feel pain.

Protests will be held as follows:

· Kota Kinabalu (first time!) – Sunday 28 Feb 2010

· Penang – Thursday 4 Mar 2010

· Kuala Lumpur – Saturday 6 Mar 2010

We need your help to make these demos successful! Please contact me if you’re able to help in any of the following ways or know someone who can:

· We need a volunteer who speaks Bahasa Malay to attend each demo. 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 by passing out leaflets.

· We need volunteers to demonstrate in costumes, hold signs, or pose in cages, at each demo.

· We need volunteers who can make follow-up calls in 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 volunteers who can translate our news releases from English to Malay. This would need to be done a week before the demo.

· We need a volunteer who can check out KFC locations in Kota Kinabalu and Penang before we arrive to make sure that they are suitable for demos.

· We need volunteers in Penang and Kota Kinabalu to help us compile a media list of local newspapers, TV stations, and radio stations so we can ensure our events get maximum media attention.

Why is PETA Asia-Pacific targeting KFC Malaysia? Each year, hundreds of millions of chickens raised and killed each year for KFC Malaysia are tortured for their entire abbreviated lives. They are drugged and bred to grow so large that many become crippled under the weight of their massive upper bodies.

Many have their throats slit while they are still conscious and are scalded to death in defeathering tanks. KFC Malaysia has ignored the recommendations of animal welfare advisory panel for years. For more information, click on the following link: kentuckyfriedcruelty.com

If you’d like to volunteer, please email me at EdwardB@PETAAsiaPacific.com.

For all animals,

Edward Basse

Activist Liaison

PETA Asia-Pacific

Their Excuse For Starving Dogs? No Bowls

2010-02-23T11:02:00.008+08:00

According to Malaysia Dogs Deserve Better's (MDDB)latest report The Selayang Council had the audacity to say they did not give the dogs at the pound food or water because they had no bowls!!

They had no bowls!! I don't even know how to respond to that. Are these people even human? I don't think so. They must have come out of demon's wombs to callously dismiss their despicable act of torture as if it was not a big deal.

In MDDB's latest email dated February 22nd, it alleged that it heard that the Selayang Municipal Council also refused food brought by another NGO to the pound when it learnt of what was happening there.

Extract from MDDB'e email:

"It shows the arrogance of the Selayang Municipal Council - why did they refuse the food?

Anyone claiming that the MPS is feeding the pound dogs are lying either to cover their posteriors or because they have personal agendas.

One of the persons responsible for this cruelty is an MPS employee named Ernie - contact number: 0136064446. She is the officer in charge of the pound. According to a very reliable sources she prevents even owners from going in to see their dogs.

This woman apparently has a deep hatred for dogs that she enjoys inflicting pain on them. Call her and make it clear to this cruel civil servant, whose salary comes from our tax ringgit, that we will not tolerate her conduct.

Continue to SMS [and email] the councillors and the others [as listed below] as the MPS would be having their full board meeting tomorrow morning [which is today]."

YANG DIPERTUA
MAJLIS PERBANDARAN SELAYANG
Datuk ZAINAL ABIDIN BIN AZIM
selayangmesra@mps.gov.my

Dr. Razif Zainol Abidin
Pengarah Kesihatan & Pelesenan
razif@mps.gov.my
Tel : 03-61370757 Faks : 03-61388300

YAD. Dato' Paduka Raja Dato' Hj. Wan Mahmood b. Pa' Wan Teh
No. Tel. Bimbit: 019-3337099

Tn. Abd Rahim b. Abd Wahab
No. Tel. Bimbit: 012-6767002

Tn. Lim Ching How
No. Tel. Bimbit: 012-2325011

Tn. Hj. Mohamad b. Abdul Rahman
No. Tel. Bimbit: 013-6347237.

Tn. A Rahim b. Ahmad Kasdi
No. Tel. Bimbit: 019-3864986

Tn. Murugan @ Murugeshu a/l Arumugam
No. Tel. Bimbit: 019-6935569

Tn. Hasbullah b. Mohd Ridzwan
No. Tel. Bimbit: 012-2917011

YBhg. Dato' Hj. Mazlan b. Hassan
No. Tel. Bimbit: 013-3990545

Puan Sian Eng Keng
No. Tel. Bimbit: 012-2881387

Tn. N. Gopalan Krishnan a/l Rajoo
No. Tel. Bimbit: 016-3715923

Tn. Zulkifli b. Hamzah
No. Tel. Bimbit: 012-3718064

Pn. Khatifah Zamani bt. Sulong
No. Tel. Bimbit: 019-2342889

Tn. Dr. Ramli b. Jusoh
No. Tel. Bimbit: 019-6623822

Pn. Maznah bt. Abd Aziz
No. Tel. Bimbit: 019-3529660

Tn. Samsudin b. A.Rahman
No. Tel. Bimbit: 012-3718064

Tn. Md. Sabri b. Md. Taib
No. Tel. Bimbit: 019-2300231

Tn. Zulnizam b. Shahrani
No. Tel. Bimbit : 013-3973930

Tn. Chee Chu Sang
No. Tel. Bimbit: 012-3096671

Tn. Tan Hui Chuan
No. Tel. Bimbit : 012-3586988

YM Tengku Zulpuri Shah B. Raja Puji
No. Tel. Bimbit: 019-3296564

Tn. Gunarajah a/l R.George
No. Tel. Bimbit: 012-3925995

Tn. Roslin b. Mohd. Rosli
No. Tel. Bimbit: 012-3072605

Tn. Lee Khai Loon
No. Tel. Bimbit: 012-3718064

Selayang MP YB William Leong
wileong97@gmail.com

khalid@selangor.gov.my
teresakok@selangor.gov.my
hasanali@selangor.gov.my
yaakob@selangor.gov.my
roziahismail@selangor.gov.my
drxavier@selangor.gov.my
drhalimah@selangor.gov.my
iskandar@selangor.gov.my
ronnieliu@selangor.gov.my
elizabethwong@selangor.gov.my
eanyong@selangor.gov.my

Peta Exposes What Really Goes On At Kentucky Fried Chicken in Malaysia

2010-02-17T16:23:00.002+08:00

PETA Asia will be holding a series of demonstrations against KFC in Malaysia and we need your help! Join us in protest against KFC’s refusal to eliminate the worst abuses that chickens suffer in the factory farms and slaughterhouses of its suppliers, including crippling injuries because of cruel breeding practices and the overuse of drugs, having their throats slit while they are still conscious, and being dunked into tanks of scalding-hot water while they are still alive and able to feel pain.

Protests will be held as follows:

· Kota Kinabalu (first time!) – Sunday 28 Feb 2010

· Penang – Thursday 4 Mar 2010

· Kuala Lumpur – Saturday 6 Mar 2010

We need your help to make these demos successful! Please contact me if you’re able to help in any of the following ways or know someone who can:

· We need a volunteer who speaks Bahasa Malay to attend each demo. 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 by passing out leaflets.

· We need volunteers to demonstrate in costumes, hold signs, or pose in cages, at each demo.

· We need volunteers who can make follow-up calls in 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 volunteers who can translate our news releases from English to Malay. This would need to be done a week before the demo.

· We need a volunteer who can check out KFC locations in Kota Kinabalu and Penang before we arrive to make sure that they are suitable for demos.

· We need volunteers in Penang and Kota Kinabalu to help us compile a media list of local newspapers, TV stations, and radio stations so we can ensure our events get maximum media attention.

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

Why is PETA Asia-Pacific targeting KFC Malaysia? Each year, hundreds of millions of chickens raised and killed each year for KFC Malaysia are tortured for their entire abbreviated lives. They are drugged and bred to grow so large that many become crippled under the weight of their massive upper bodies. Many have their throats slit while they are still conscious and are scalded to death in defeathering tanks. KFC Malaysia has ignored the recommendations of animal welfare advisory panel for years. For more information, click on the following link: kentuckyfriedcruelty.com.

If you’d like to volunteer, please email me at EdwardB@PETAAsiaPacific.com.

For all animals,
Edward Basse
Activist Liaison
PETA Asia-Pacific

Orang Asli Attacked Tiger First Probably For the Lucrative Trade In Exotic Animals' Body Parts

2010-02-09T11:31:00.004+08:00

THE STAR NEWSPAPER, Tuesday February 9, 2010
Dept: Orang asli was trying to kill tiger, not collect petai
By CHAN LI LEEN

lileen@thestar.com.my

IPOH: The tiger which attacked an orang asli in Sungkai last week did so in retaliation as it had been wounded in a trap laid out by his friends.

Perak Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) officers found in their investigation that Yok Meneh, 47, and another orang asli had entered the jungle on Thursday to kill the tiger which was caught in a snare.

“The victim was not there to collect petai. There were no petai trees there,” its director Shabrina Shariff said.

“He and the other man had gone there with spears made from the bemban tree to kill the animal. They were attacked by the injured tiger which had freed itself from the snare,” she said.

Yok Meneh, who suffered a deep 15.2cm wound on his back and other injuries to his hands and legs from fighting the tiger, told the authorities on Saturday that he was attacked while on his way to gather petai at the Bukit Tapah Forest Reserve.

The next day, Perhilitan officers found the carcass of the tiger about 20m from the site. Its detached left forelimb was still caught in the snare.

According to Shabrina, the orang asli had set up the snare on Jan 25 and the tiger was caught in it on Feb 2.

“On Feb 3, the one responsible for setting up the trap went into the jungle with four other orang asli with shotguns to shoot the tiger.

“They managed to hit the animal in the eye, leg and body and left it to die.On Feb 4, Yok Meneh and another orang asli tried to retrieve the carcass but the tiger was still alive and attacked them,” she said.

After interrogating the orang asli, it was discovered that they had captured and killed other protected animals before.

”One of them admitted that they killed another tiger and a panther before this,” Shabrina said.

BLAME MANKIND, NOT THE TIGERS

2010-02-08T13:46:00.003+08:00

Contrary to rubbish media propaganda, tigers don't attack humans. The statistics of an attack is extremely rare and in all those occasions there has been a sound reason for it.

Just like this newspaper report below proves. This poor tiger had to rip out its own limb from a poacher's trap and in all likelihood attacked under severe pain.

Compare this story to another just a day before in an online portal where five tigers had been raised in a house in Indonesia for 25 years and was part of the family with no reports of a single attack.

It is Mankind who is evil. Not animals.

THE STAR NEWSPAPER
Monday February 8, 2010

Tiger found dead near attack spot

By SYLVIA LOOI

IPOH: The tiger that attacked an orang asli man at the Bukit Tapah Forest Reserve on Saturday has been found dead.

A team from the Perak Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) found the male tiger with gunshot and blow pipe wounds within 100m from where it attacked the orang asli.

It had also lost its left forelimb.

State Perhilitan director Shabrina Shariff believes the animal could have escaped a trap set by poachers.

“The tiger might have attacked Yok Meneh because it was in pain,” she said yesterday.

“That is why I was surprised to read that the tiger had attacked a human as tigers are normally reclusive animals which keep to themselves,” Shabrina said.

The tiger tipped the scale at 120kg and measured between 1.5m and 1.8m in length. The tiger’s carcass is expected to be taken to the department’s Sungkai office for further checks.

Yok Meneh, a 47-year-old gatherer from the Semai tribe, was attacked while he was on his way to gather petai and suffered a deep wound measuring 15.2cm on his back.

He also suffered injuries to his hands and legs from fighting against the tiger.

Shabrina urged Yok Meneh to lodge a police report on the matter as he was entitled to compensation for being attacked by a fierce animal.

She said the department would recommend to the relevant authorities that Yok Meneh be compensated.

Rimbunan Hijau At It Again

2010-02-08T13:42:00.002+08:00

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Logging Violence and Corruption Flare in Ramu, Madang’s Mighty Rainforests

By Rainforest Portal http://www.rainforestportal.org/ - a project of Ecological Internet

February 6, 2010

TAKE ACTION NOW AND SHARE WITH FRIENDS:
http://www.rainforestportal.org/shared/alerts/send.aspx?id=png_ramu_rh

Local landowner initiated court case has shut down logging for two months. The PNG Forest Authority's review of the granting of the right to log to notorious Rimbunan Hijau of Malaysia in Ramu River valley expected soon.

Industry and corrupt government officials pulling out all stops to re-grant permit to this violent and corrupt criminal-enterprise. Massive cash payments and brutal violence – to intimidate communities resisting logging – is rife. Yet local protest to logging continues to intensify in Madang, as do calls to end all industrial primary rainforest logging in PNG.

MORE INFORMATION AND TAKE ACTION NOW:
http://www.rainforestportal.org/shared/alerts/send.aspx?id=png_ramu_rh

DISCUSS THIS ALERT:
http://www.rainforestportal.org/issues/

RED ALERT FROM MDDB

2010-01-18T13:08:00.014+08:00

An Red Alert from Malaysia Dogs Deserve Better:

The situation at the Klang Municipal Council dog pound has reached a critical state. A friend who had gone there to feed the dogs said there were almost 200 dogs crammed there and some were terribly sick.

She has taken some photos and the sight at the pound is terribly heart wrenching. The Klang Municipal Council refuses to look at other alternatives instead of catching and putting these dogs through hell.

To make matters worse, they pay their dog catchers incentives which has resulted in them going out to catch dogs at all times of the day.

Their favourite time is about 6.00 or 7.00 pm when home owners come back from work and release their dogs to ease themselves.

Most of the dogs caught have collars on and if allowed to go on the situation will only get worse.

[Some dogs like this one in pix on the right, have collars and look well looked after. Quite obviously someone's pet]

The Klang Municipal Council’s dog catching unit is going on a rampage as the dog catchers have been given incentives for every dog caught. The situation has gotten out of hand with the dog catchers even going out to catch dogs late at night.

Their favourite modus operendi is to go to housing estates in the evening when dog owners return home and release their dogs out for a while. The dogs are nabbed and manhandled before being brought to the pound. A large number of the dogs at the Klang dog pound have collars.

Yes, no doubt there are complaints about strays but this time MPK has embarked on a rampage of hate against all dogs under the instructions of its health department head En Zulkifli Abbas [This person is cited by MDDB as the one responsible for this carnage and suffering. See this here at their website http://malaysiandogsdeservebetter.blogspot.com/

The dogs are cramped in cages without proper food and water and many end up dead.

Hopefully, the state government will look into this as soon as possible and failure to do so is reflective of the Pakatan Rakyat’s inability to control its local government machinery. We also urge the Pakatan Rakyat government to transfer En Zulkifli Abbas out of MPK.

Failure by the state government to do so will result in aggressive groundwork being immediately launched to ensure that it’s booted out of Selangor in the next elections. We animal activists are willing to put any party which propagates compassion for animals in power because our main priority is to stop this cruelty and viciousness against dogs.

[Another pix of dog with collar on the right. Sad to see people's pets being taken indiscriminately like this]

Please join MDDB in their fight to stop this carnage by sending an email of protest to the following addresses:
khalid@selangor.gov.my
teresakok@selangor.gov.my
hasanali@selangor.gov.my
yaakob@selangor.gov.my
roziahismail@selangor.gov.my
drxavier@selangor.gov.my
drhalimah@selangor.gov.my
iskandar@selangor.gov.my
ronnieliu@selangor.gov.my
elizabethwong@selangor.gov.my
eanyong@selangor.gov.my
mislan@mpkklang.gov.my
mjaid@mpkklang.gov.my
norfiza@mpkklang.gov.my
datoghani@mpkklang.gov.my
azmizam@mpkklanng.gov.my
mpklang@yahoo.com

Shame On Sunway For Supporting Dolphin and Sea Lion Show

2010-01-11T13:40:00.003+08:00

My letter sent out to the editors of the newspapers recently objecting to the Sunway Pyramid Dolphin and Sea Lion show. I urge all Malaysians to send similar letter of protests to editor@thestar.com.my, editor@malaysiakini.com, letters@thesundaily.com:

Sunway Pyramid supporting traveling freak show

For too long Malaysians who care about our environment and animal welfare have had to put up with backyard breeders, and holiday resorts and amusement parks that abuse and exploit animals in the name of “education” and “entertainment”’.

Do we really need to enter the New Year with shopping malls carrying on this sickening legacy?

There is a Dolphin and Sea Lion show currently taking place on the grounds of Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall. The Sunway Group is not the show’s proprietor and claim to be only hosting the shows from Dec 1 to Feb 7.

Yet, the mall works hand-in-glove with the proprietors by encouraging the public to shop at Sunway Pyramid to obtain a 30% discount on the show’s tickets.

Dolphins are highly intelligent creatures. Their family bond lasts a lifetime. Stealing them from the wild for "entertainment" breaks up their family unit and keeps the ones in captivity under severe stress.

In 1983, at Tokerau Beach in Northland, New Zealand, dolphins rescued stranded and disorientated whales. They risked their lives by swimming into the shallows and “herded” the whales out to sea. The same thing happened in Whangerei harbour, New Zealand, five years later.

In the US, SeaWorld’s dolphin and sea lion shows employ scientists, zoologists, and trainers, and sends out rescue teams that participate in research and wildlife preservation.

SeaWorld’s teams have helped save stranded whales, dolphins, seals, and sea lions. And they have helped raise the awareness of endangered manatees. SeaWorld is committed to conservation, research and animal rescue. Yet they too have been criticized by the World Society for the Protection of Animals and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society because it is cruel to keep these intelligent animals in captivity.

Look at the contrast here in Malaysia. I spoke to the Sunway Pyramid Dolphin and Sea Lion show’s proprietor who only gave his name as Daniel. He called the marine animals, “fish” and admitted he didn’t have any marine biologist working with the animals.

Daniel refused to say if those dealing with these mammals are trained, but only stressed that he ensured the temperature in the tents where the shows were being held was regulated and that he had spent much money to ensure they were kept in sea water.

He refused to describe the dolphins enclosure nor how they were transported. The shows are held in makeshift tents, presumably to make it easy to pack up and leave.

Dolphins and sea lions should not be dragged about on some traveling freak show. Those reading this letter should visit http://www.orcanetwork.org/captivity/keikostory.html and read the touching story of Keiko the Orca whale featured in the movie Free Willy.

The link provides the chronological sequence of how Keiko was captured, and suffered at marine parks in Mexico and the US just to entertain people, before a global outcry returned him to the open sea.

When will people realize that animals don’t exist for our entertainment? If the public wants to see a dolphin, hook up with a conservationist or marine biologist and go see them in their natural habitat.

If you can't travel, don’t bother. Be content to watch them on Animal Planet.. It won't affect the quality of your life one bit. But it turns the lives of these animals upside down. They are so tortured that it is better to kill them than force them to live a life in captivity.

One blogger who attended the show at Sunway Pyramid complained about it on her blog at http://mayawilmot.blogspot.com/2009/12/more-like-dolphin-abuse-to-me.html

She expressed shock that these animals were kept in tiny enclosures and forced to work long hours. She expressed disgust that the host of the show “talked nonsense” and offered no educational information that would help kids learn how to care for animals and the environment..

Sunway Pyramid, shame on you for aiding and abetting this traveling freak show.

The Remembering Sheena Campaign

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

The wonderful work being done by Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better

2009-04-09T22:19:00.007+08:00

Many of us opened the Star newspaper one morning and were horrified at this image, thinking what cruel, heartless human being could have caused this dog to look like this. While many would chose to do nothing or at the very least send it to the animal shelter to be put down to save it from misery, the Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better Team decided to give the dog a chance to live a good life. They set out to heal it first from its skin condition.

After medical care, good food and tender loving kindness, this is how the dog looks today.

To the animal shelters who are mere dumping grounds for unwanted pets and strays and do nothing to educate people (for education is the key) this one act of kindness speaks volumes and have educated thousands watching.

During the time Christians are celebrating Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, let me quote St. Francis Assisi, "Go out to the world and evangelize. Use words, if necessary."

Help Ramin Find Arjun

2009-04-09T21:53:00.004+08:00

Many of us who are involved in animal welfare have heard of the story of Arjun who, unfortunately is still missing. Ramin lost Arjun several months ago in a thunderstorm and he has never stopped looking for him. Everyday he spends at least four hours after work tracking down the routes Arjun has taken according to eye witnesses. He has distributed flyers and spoken to hundreds of people.

Arjun is 10 years old and was adopted by Ramin from an animal shelter. It is heart wrenching to see Ramin tireless search and draw maps and never lose heart that one day he and his beloved Arjun will be reunited. So please click here to go to Ramin's website and see how you can help. Perhaps you live in the area Arjun has been spotted. Take a good look at his photo and see how you can help:

www.HelpArjun.com

Watch Nick Josh Karean's Awesome Video!

2009-02-20T15:11:00.003+08:00

My letter entitled Protest Over Celebrity Chef's Visit published in the Star today. Click here to read: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/2/20/focus/3305246&sec=focus

If you are a Malaysia Kini subscriber click here to watch Nick Josh Karean's video about the cruelty to animals by local authorities in Malaysia:

http://www.malaysiakini.tv/video/16712

If you are not an MK subscriber (shame on you :) ) click to watch on You Tube here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9GmV8GAswk

But the picture quality and sound better on MKini.

Video of Protest Outside DBKL Pound, Setapak

2009-02-19T12:59:00.004+08:00

Dear all Luna G has so kindly taken a video of the Protest by animal lovers outside DBKL Dog Pound Protest @ Air Panas, Setapak @ 7th February 2009, Saturday. Click on this link to watch video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=268ZThWBoMA&feature=channel_page

Also read the Star report dated February 18, 2009 on the follow-up after the Protest. As usual the KL Mayor gives a lame excuse that the media sensationalized the killings. End of story. Ya-lah, kawan. Malaysia Boleh-kan?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=268ZThWBoMA&feature=channel_page
By the way, such cruelty was taking place under the very nose of SPCA whose Klinik Kembiri was sharing premises at the very place the alleged cruelty took place. Why did SPCA remain silent about this?

Foie Gras - A Delicacy of Despair

2009-02-18T15:55:00.006+08:00

Message From PETA to all Malaysians:

Vietnamese chef Bobby Chinn will be hosting a cooking demonstration and other events in Kuala Lumpur at the end of this week.

As you may know, Chinn uses foie gras, which is made from the grotesquely enlarged livers of ducks and geese who have been cruelly force-fed, in many of his recipes.

Please join PETA in making sure the animals' side of the story is told: send letters to the editors of local media today explaining that Chin should be ashamed of promoting cruelty to animals!

Please send your letter to the following top newspapers (of course, you're welcome to write to more!):

· The Star: editor@thestar.com.my

· Malay Mail: hotline@mmail.com.my

· The New Straits Times: mailed@nstp.com.my

Malaysia Kini : editor@malaysiakini.com

One published letter has the potential to be read by thousands of people! To make sure that your letter has a good chance of being published, follow these tips:

· Put "Letter to the Editor" in the subject line of e-mails.

· Be brief! Sometimes, one short, pithy paragraph is enough – try to stay under 300 words (about one typed page). Editors are less likely to print long letters.

· Make sure that you include your name, address and telephone number in your letter. Some newspapers verify authorship before printing letters.

The following talking points about the cruelty behind foie gras may be helpful to you in writing your letter:

Foie gras, French for "fatty liver", is made from the grotesquely enlarged livers of male ducks and geese. The birds are kept in tiny wire cages or packed into sheds. Pipes are repeatedly shoved down the birds' throats, and up to 4 pounds of grain and fat are pumped into their stomachs two or three times every day.

The pipes puncture many birds' throats, sometimes causing the animals to bleed to death. This cruel procedure causes the birds' livers to become diseased and swell to up to 10 times their normal size.

Many birds raised for foie gras become too sick to stand up. The birds who survive the force-feeding are killed, and their livers are sold for foie gras.

People around the world have spoken out against the cruelty of foie gras. In 2004, California passed a law banning the sale and production of foie gras, effective in 2012. Foie gras production has been outlawed in the UK , Germany , the Czech Republic , Finland , Luxembourg , Norway , Poland , Sweden , Switzerland and Denmark .

Can We Ever Hope To See A Pix Like This Involving Malaysian Authorities?

2009-02-11T14:20:00.006+08:00

Australian Firefighter David Tree shares his water with an injured Koala that got trapped in the wildfire at Mirboo North, Victoria, Australia.

I saved this pix earlier to put up on the blog today. To my surprise the Star newspaper carried it on its front page today. I guess I am not the only one deeply touched by this pix.

I'd like to ask all Malaysians if we can ever hope to see a Malaysian municipal council officer, Wildlife officer or someone from the Department of Veterinary Services in such a pix as this.

Instead we have photos of council officers abusing animals and Wildlife and DVS officers turning a blind eye and deaf ear to reports of abuse.

I shall never forget that baby elephant starved and ribs sticking out so called "rescued" by Wildlife Dept from a resort in Melaka. That little baby eventually died and the papers reported no action taken against that resort.

No! Until we have a new, righteous govt for Malaysia, I don't think I will see a moving photo like this involving any Malaysian authority or rescue service.

We might see looting of people's houses after a wildfire, like during the recent Bukit Antarabangsa landslide. But helping people? Nahhh. And helping animals? What do you think?

Watch 360 tonight at 9:00 pm to see what the DBKL authorities have to say after being cornered by 360 crew on tape with eye-witnessing claiming they were bashing dogs and drowning cats. Footage of the Protest last Saturday could be in too as someone who attended the Protest said the 360 host was also there at the Protest.

How To Get To The DBKL Pound Tomorrow

2009-02-06T17:08:00.004+08:00

Those attending the peaceful protest tomorrow at 11:00 am are reminded by the organizers to please bring a candle each to show your angst for each dog and cat allegedly tortured to death by the authorities. See map below on how to get there:

TV3 Expose featured in The Star

2009-02-06T15:47:00.003+08:00

Below is the link to a report in The Star today after the 360 programme on TV3 featured dogs and cats inhumanely killed by DBKL officers. Check out the comments of the Mayor and Deputy FT Minister.

All I can say is, "Yeah, right!" People have been complaining for years and only when an undercover journalist takes pix and photos are splashed on tv and newspapers then they run around flustered as if "outraged" and vowing to do something. (sigh)

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/2/6/central/3204204&sec=central

Protest Outside DBKL Setapak on Saturday

2009-02-05T17:51:00.002+08:00

Below is a NOTICE from Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better:

Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better and friends are thinking of holding a peaceful protest outside the DBKL dog pound in Setapak this Saturday at about 11.00am.

This is to protest over the ghastly and cruel way stray dogs and cats are killed at the pound. If you had watched 360 Degrees on Wednesday night over TV3, you would have seen how these dastardly individuals who call themselves human beings broke the dogs' necks and dragged them around until they died.

We have to show the authorities that we, as tax payers, will not condone such brutality.

Your support is important. Please respond if you will be able to make it.
Unless we put our foot down, stray dogs and cats will continue to suffer under these beasts.

Write to: malaysiandogsdeservebetter@gmail.comif you are interested in participating.

Good Show Yesterday!

2009-02-05T17:35:00.003+08:00

I must congratulate 360 for a fair coverage yesterday of the municipal council's brutality towards stray dogs and cats. It is a subject not often raised by the media, least of all television and for that I must say hats off to 360 and its excellent host Mazidul Akmal Sidik.

Those who were happy with the coverage too please call TV3 at 03 - 77266333 and ask for 360. Give your comments directly to 360 or write to feedback@tv3.com.my.

Your encouragement will push animal welfare issues to the forefront in the media. RSC also informed Al Jazeera about TV3's coverage before the programme and asked them to please watch and realize such atrocious things are happening and condoned by legitimate govt bodies and please highlight them too. They expressed their interest and said they would look into it.

Watch 360 on TV3 tonight at 9 pm

2009-02-04T13:25:00.004+08:00

Watch the programme 360 at 9 pm on TV3 tonight featuring Malaysian municipal councils allegedly battering and drowning dogs and cats.

The very people who are supposed to protect animals and act on abuse reports are allegedly abusing them.

This is the info we received from people who saw the trailer. Being TV3 and highly controlled media, we don't know how fair the coverage will be. But please watch nevertheless, and if you feel the coverage is fair, please call TV3 and congratulate them on a job well done. This gesture will push animal welfare issues to the forefront. Thank you.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE TIME AND LOVE TO GIVE TO YOUR PETS, DON'T OWN ONE!

2009-01-17T11:18:00.012+08:00

These are not pretty pictures, but I decided to publish them because I know Yen and as hard as it must seem for us to see this, it must have been ten times as hard for Yen to take these photos.

Yen and her friends are independent animal rescuers. Please heed her letter below. I can sense her deep anger and heart break in writing this letter, but it is a message that has to be impressed and impressed and impressed on the Malaysian public:

IF YOU DON'T HAVE TIME FOR YOURSELF, THEN DON'T OWN A PET

Letter below written by Yen and Molly

The pictures enclosed are a reminder to us who owns and wish to own dogs or cats. Crating them is a safe way but not if the cage is damaged or bent. This puppy got his head stuck at the top of his cage and broke his neck and died.

He was left unattended for long hours. When we tell ourselves that we want to own a pet, ensure that we have time for them. Ensure that any area we put them in is a safe place.

To replace a damaged cage may cost money but would you stay in a damaged house that may endanger yourself? Think of the pet as how you would place yourself in....ask yourself questions and answer sincerely how much you would do for your pet if you own one.

It is always fun and nice to see other people's pets and wished to own one.... please remember that the people who owned those pets and their pets are in great condition, the owner have invested not only love but time and money. They regarded their pets as their friends and family. This is one an example of a neglected pet that ends up dead. I have seen pets legs broken, jaw dislocated and eye hurt when kept in damaged cages.

If you have a small puppy or kitten or cat, please ensure that the bottom of the cage is covered with kennel board so that their legs cannot get stuck in them. Make sure that the doors do not have gaps so that they cannot push their head through. Make sure that the top of the cage is not bent or have a gap, cos the animals may get curious ( maybe seeing a bird perch on top of their cage or a fly flying around the top ) and jumped up and got his head pushed through that gap.

If you don't have time for yourself, please do not own a pet. Visit friends who have pets and play with their pets instead. Or volunteer in any animal shelters or rescuers homes.

Thank you.
Molly & Yen
acs_yen@hotmail.com

My Cover Page Stories In The Star Weekender

2009-01-07T21:34:00.003+08:00

I had two cover page stories in the STAR WEEKENDER last December 2008. Whoopee! You can check them out by clicking on these links here:

http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2008/12/13/lifefocus/2691241&sec=lifefocus

http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2008/12/27/lifefocus/2871901&sec=lifefocus

Am going to be quite busy this January to submit anything to STAR as am working on other writing projects and my Christian magazine, AGAPE is also due out in February.

Keep up the good work for animals everyone and hope to see 2009 a better year for all Malaysians including its four-legged, furry and feathered citizens!

A Hugely Successful Event At Sid's Pub

2009-01-05T18:46:00.042+08:00

Blessed Christmas and New Year to all of you!

Just wanted to update everyone that we not only had a fantastic time at Sid's Pub on Dec 13, we also met our target to raise the full sum we needed to give Furry Friends Farm a 6 month's supply of dog food. Praise God!

Here is an awesome couple who generously bought tickets on the day although they had come to the pub not knowing of the event. They also adopted a puppy from Furry Friends Farm and named him Romeo.

In pix below is Gloria who came with her dog Goldie. She is the one in blue and Goldie is all dressed up right down to the tiara on her head. We were rooting for her to win best dressed but in the end the two Jack Russels who were dressed as Santa and Santarina won the Best Dressed. They belong to Novita Solihin and Lokman who so kindly donated their prize to Goldie. There was no denying and spirit of love and sharing in the air!

Sharifah Fauziah Alsree, the main organizer of the event and beside her is the cute guy she is trying to auction off for a date for charity. And the pix further below is the lucky lady to 'win' him. In case you are wondering why his shirt is unbuttoned the ladies decided to get naughty and upped the bid by another RM50 if he took his shirt off. Heh heh. That is as far as he got which is just as well cos it was a very respectable and family event. :) And just for the record it was a group dinner for all the bidders and dates at a French chef's restaurant.

The Caucasion guy behind Fauziah is another date for auction and we must say crowd were extremely sporting in bidding huge amounts of money simply to give to charity.

Denise Pang who won the date with the Caucasion gave up her date saying it was only for fun and main goal was to raise as much money for food for the dogs at the shelter.

After all that teasing with the extra RM50 to make this poor guy sweat, the plucky lady on the right also said she would be sending a friend on the date as her proxy. Heh heh. It was all just for fun-lah.

Behind Gloria and friends, in the orange t-shirt is Adam MacKenzie from 8TV the fiance of Edleen Ismail, ESPN Malaysia's host. This lovely couple dropped by with their gorgeous dogs Coffee and Cookie. What's more, Edleen is a fan of RSC. How about that?

Below is Sabrina, the proprietor of FFF and K.C. former host of an entertainment programme on NTV7.

Furry Friends Farm also kindly donated some of the dog food they received to Independent Rescuers in the true spirit of sharing. Independent rescuers are ordinary people who rescue strays, homeless and abused animals and rehome them.

They often feed and provide medical assistance for these animals out of their own pockets and do not get donations from other NGOs, govt or public. They have mushroomed all over Malaysia because the bodies that are set up by the govt such as the municipal councils, the Department of Veterinary Services are all doing such a poor job in the humane treatment of animals especially strays and no regulations on pet shops or breeders or pet dumping.

Pix above: The guy in the white shirt is Geoffrey Siddle, owner of Sid's pub. This sweet little girl holding her dog in this next pix is Geoff's daughter. Behind her in the background are Sabrina and KC.

Compliments to Fauziah for a fantastic show and to Jojo boy and Sabrina for spending hours each weekend selling tickets at Sid's. To all of you who participated, bought tickets, sponsored prizes, brought friends, bought tickets for friends, bid on the auctions, you are the reason a whole bunch of homeless dogs are eating well today.

Thanks for spreading the true cheer and spirit of giving last Christmas of 2008!

To the right, pix of Edleen Ismail and Furry Friends Farm ambassador, Jojo. Jojo has only three legs, his fourth having been run over by a car and had to be amputated.

Below is pix of my husband Joshua, with our dear friends, Denise Pang and Ravi who bought a whole bunch of tickets and bid on the auction! Many, many people out there whose pix and names are not here but who contributed no less to the effort to making this a success.

Thank you guys and last but not least, THANK YOU GEOFF SIDDLE for graciously providing free flow of snacks and a free drink and allowing your premises to be used for this worthy cause. And thank you Mr. Logan, the manager of Sid's for the superb service. You truly are a pro!

Do drop by Sid's Pub guys for a meal, drinks and a good time with friends. It has a great menu, ambiance and what's more you can even bring your dog. I've written a story on Sid's in the STAR newspaper. Look at the post above for the link.

Event At Sid's Place On Dec 13 Listed In TimeOut Magazine

2008-12-04T15:06:00.003+08:00

Time Out Magazine Kuala Lumpur has listed our event on December 13 at Sid's Place called Remembering the Homeless Dogs for Christmas, in their online magazine. To check it out, go to http://www.timeoutkl.com/aroundtown/events/Remembering-The-Homeless-Dogs-For-Christmas

Remembering The Homeless Strays At Sid's Pub

2008-11-20T18:45:00.013+08:00

Sid's Pub and Furry Friends' Farm are holding an event called Remembering The Homeless Strays At Sid's Pub, Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, on December 13, 2008 from 3 p.m. to 7:00 pm.

You will need to purchase raffles tickets to enter at RM50 per tix for which you would get one free drink and free snacks through-out the event and great discounts at D'Paw Pet Funland Sdn Bhd.

All proceeds from the sales will go towards the purchase of dog food For the Furry Friends Farm Animal Shelter and the independent animal rescuers.

Please click on these posters to enlarge image to check out how you can participate in the many events such as the Best Dressed Xmas Outfit Pet and Owner Competition.

Please take note Sharifah Fauziah will be at Sid's Pub at the following times for you to purchase your tickets from her:

Fri & Sat - from 8PM onwards
Sunday - from 12PM - 7PM if not later
Powerpoint movie presentation COMING SOON on this event.>

Malaysia's Shame Is Known Around The World

2008-11-19T15:04:00.003+08:00
Letter below published in Malaysia Kini. Those who would like to know update on the dog abused by municipal council agents as published in Wani's story in the STAR entitled 'Dog Catchers Acted Cruelly, Alleges Rescuer' please go to:

http://malaysiandogsdeservebetter.blogspot.com/

Dog-catching: Malaysia's reputation at risk

James Hogan | Nov 17, 08 3:17pm

I would like to comment about the recent report of alleged cruel treatment of a stray dog by a team of dog-catchers employed by the Subang Jaya Municipal Council in Selangor, Malaysia but I would first like to explain why an international animal welfare organisation has taken an interest in this issue.

The Mayhew Animal Home & Humane Education Centre has been rescuing and caring for abandoned and unwanted animals in London since 1886 and today our work extends to places as far afield as Afghanistan, Russia, Romania and Algeria, where we advise city governments, provide special training for veterinarians and animal management personnel and promote ‘best practice’ across a wide spectrum of animal welfare activity.

We have a network of contacts across the globe and in recent times we have received an increasing number of disturbing reports from Malaysia about the treatment of animals there, especially regarding the issue of stray companion animals.

The latest report we have received from Selangor is about the dog which was allegedly beaten and injured as he was apparently forced through the railings of a locked gate by dog-catchers working for the Subang Jaya Municipal Council..

We believe the dog is now being kept in the local dog pound and requires veterinary treatment for its injuries, which should at the very least raise searching questions about the methods used in catching it.

I understand that the incident has been reported to the Puchong police and, while one does not wish to pre-judge any investigation, I have to say that this is not the first time that concerns about the operational practices of KL's dog-catchers have been brought to our attention.

Apart from the complaints of local animal welfare activists in KL, we have also received a number of critical independent reports from contacts in Europe and Asia after they had visited Kuala Lumpur on business or as tourists.

The concerns raised include the excessively rough methods used by the dog- catchers and the primitive conditions observed at the local dog pounds.

From a purely professional point of view, I would be interested to know what selection procedures are applied when local councils recruit staff to carry out this work and, crucially, what level of training is provided?

Malaysia is a successful country that thrives on international commerce, tourism and finance and has a right to be proud of its achievements in a fiercely competitive world.

However, Malaysia's image abroad is in danger of being tarnished by the negative impressions left with visitors to Kuala Lumpur when they witness stray companion animals being treated without respect or compassion, especially when this is done by the very people officially responsible for them.

The Kuala Lumpur Tourism Action Council website waxes lyrical about the joys of visiting KL, exclaiming: ‘KL offers a wholly unique experience to visitors.’

As someone who has a great affection for Malaysia and its people, I am sad to say that the individuals who contact us about distressing animal welfare issues after they have visited KL make it very clear that they have had ‘a unique experience’ that is very far removed from the image projected by the Tourism Action Council and is most assuredly one they do not wish to repeat.

The writer is attached to the International Department, Mayhew Animal Home & Humane Education Centre, London.

Our Cherating Holiday Story In The Star

2008-11-14T19:39:00.002+08:00
Please click on this link to read my story in the STAR WEEKENDER on our Cherating Furkids Holiday:

http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2008/11/1/lifetravel/2334882&sec=lifetravel

Historic Victory For Wildlife

2008-11-13T16:22:00.005+08:00

We did it! Thanks to thousands of Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund supporters just like you, we were able to accomplish something amazing for our wildlife: Senator Barack Obama will be our next President -- and many new conservation leaders have been elected to Congress.

I want to personally thank you for your help reaching millions of voters in key states to make these victories a reality. Please watch my video detailing the work you made possible throughout this campaign...and what this election means for the future of wildlife.

https://secure.defenders.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=c406_postelectionvideo

From our powerful TV ads exposing Governor Sarah Palin’s terrible record on aerial gunning of wolves to our on-the-ground campaign that knocked on tens of thousands of doors across the country, your support made a big difference in this election. In fact, the Obama/Biden ticket won every swing state where we ran our ads on Governor Palin's record (with the possible exception of Missouri).

The election may be over, but there is much work to be done. Thanks to you and the tremendous support of other Defenders Action Fund activists, we now have the opportunity to begin our work to undo the eight years of damage caused by the Bush/Cheney Administration.

It won’t be easy, and there are plenty of tough fights ahead. But you can be sure that Defenders Action Fund will work with the new Administration -- and conservation champions of all political stripes -- to enact legislation and policies that protect our wildlife.

For now, let’s celebrate this historic day and the hope it holds for our wolves, polar bears and other wildlife -- and please accept my most sincere thanks for helping make it happen!

With Gratitude,
Rodger Schlickeisen
President
Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund

We Are Now On YouTube!

2008-11-13T15:33:00.003+08:00
Thanks to a great guy who runs this video recording company HeadShot Sdn Bhd, we have a lovely video to show you how awesome FFF's WAD celebration was at Bangsar Village. He did it for us for free to help our cause to promote animal welfare.

Click on this link to watch the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj5jvkNsYIw

Once you have watched it could you leave a comment on You Tube please to support Head Shot and Furry Friends Farm?

If you would like to hire someone to record your wedding day, birthday, events, etc. do call on Head Shot Sdn Bhd at www.headshotsdnbhd.blogspot.com

FFF WAD Celebrations At Bangsar Village

2008-11-12T21:00:00.021+08:00
Oops forgot to update you on FFF's World Animal Day (WAD) celebrations at Bangsar Village. It was a HUGE success. We started the very first Dog Walk the country has seen and at least 70 dogs took part. We had media turn-out from five major Chinese dailies and the STAR and New Straits Times with two full page coverage with photos in the NST.

People arrived as early as 8 am to register their dogs. They came in all colours, shapes and sizes - all excited to take to the streets to do their part for World Animal Day to remind all Malaysians that they are a part of society too and to take their rights and interests into consideration in all that we do.

The Remembering Sheena Campaign and rememberingcheeky.blogspot.com played a big part in helping Furry Friends Farm organize this event. We are especially proud that our entire event was all animal welfare education instead of just a row of stalls selling pet food and products for animals and an adoption booth.

This Dog Walk was part of Animals Asia Foundation’s World Animal Day celebrations.

We are very proud that our very own Malaysian dogs walked in solidarity with their counterparts in 7 countries in the world where Animals Asia Foundation runs the Dr. Dog Programme.

AAF sent us green scarves with the WAD logo on it for all the dogs participating in the Dog Walk in these 7 countries and our Malaysian dogs wore the scarves with great pride. It was fun to watch their guardians being very creative with all the different ways they tied the scarves on their dogs.

These scarves were flown in to us all the way from Hong Kong. How cool is that?

We had a Children's Art Competition with first, second and third prizes sponsored hi-tea family buffets courtesy of Park Royal Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. The kids were required to draw the Furry Friends Farm dogs who were also there as part of the Farm's adoption drive.

Throughout the day there were videos shown on Dr. Eddie, Jill Robinson's Dr. Dog and Animals Asia Foundation's special video on how the Dr. Dog got started and why it is a huge success around the globe today.

People registered themselves for the next Dr. Dog exam in November after Sabrina Yeap gave a talk on Furry Friends Farm’s Dr. Dog programme and to support. WAD 2008 celebrations coincided with Furry Friends Farm's
2nd year anniversary. So we had a lovely cake cutting ceremony too.

There were other videos shown of the wildlife and saving our rainforests and why it is so important to do so.

Other activities held included dog grooming, a demonstration of the Dr Dog examination procedure, samak soap demonstration for Muslims to know there is now available on the market a soap to cleanse themselves according to Islamic laws after coming in contact with a dog. The soap, marketed by Tahara Global (M) Sdn Bhd, is prepared under strict Islamic guidelines

There was also a cat adoption programme by Petfinder while music was in the air through the fluid fingers of violinist, Dennis Lau, who performed Prelude, an original composition from his upcoming album.

Dennis himself rescued a stray female dog and her puppies that worked together with Furry Friends Farm to re-home all of them.

We focused our whole day on educating the public on how to respect and love animals.

What is the point of inviting Department of Veterinary Services and Municipal Council to have booths as some shelters did at their WAD celebrations?

They don't contribute anything. In fact staff of these governmental bodies need to be sent for training on how to treat animals right and some I think even need psychiatric help.

Read the horrific story below on how dog catchers beat and forced this poor dog to go through the narrow bars of a gate that part of its face and ear had been scraped off.

Well it was a long day and some of us adjourned to our favourite watering holes for a drink. And where else would we go but to a dog-friendly pub in the vicinity.

So while we had our pints and our kids their fruit juices and our dogs...hmm...our dogs their rest and maybe a frankfurter or two and cool water and some shade. As you can see many of our furry babies were exhausted and asleep around us.

When Is Change Ever Going To Come To Malaysia?

2008-11-10T11:32:00.004+08:00
Several months ago MPSJ President Datuk Adnan Md Ikshan complained to the STAR that they were publishing lies by saying his municipal council officers and dog catchers were cruel. But each time animal rescuers and journalists have photos to prove their cruelty. These people are monsters!

This is not the first time. I carried another story here a year or two ago about a letter from a high school student in Ipoh. He said council officers came to his school and shot a stray dog whom he described as harmless and didn't bother anyone.

The dog had not yet died and was instead wailing in pain. While the dog was wailing the council officers used a meathook and stabbed the live dog and dragged it away. The student said that incident would traumatise him for the rest of his life!

I look at Michael Vick a celebrity getting jailed for several years in the USA for operating dog fights. The huge public outcry against Vick and his family being treated as outcasts in society for his cruel treatment of dogs just shows that USA's greatness does not lie in its weaponry but in the hearts of its people who will not tolerate cruelty and injustice.

I look at Obama, America's first black President lovingly declaring that his daughters have earned their puppy that is going to go with them to the White House and I'm more than ever convinced that Malaysia is run by demons - not even human beings.

The STAR Newspaper
Monday November 10, 2008

DOG CATCHERS ACTED CRUELLY, ALLEGES RESCUER

By WANI MUTHIAH

INDEPENDENT stray dog rescuer Amy Foo had the shock of her life recently as she was taking a leisurely morning stroll near her home in Bandar Kinrara, Puchong.

Foo, 32, alleges that she saw a group of five men, several of them in Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) uniform, beating a dog and forcing it out through the railings of a locked gate.

“I heard a dog yelping in pain as I was taking my walk, and went to investigate what was going on.

“What I saw made my blood turn cold as several of the men had climbed over the gate into the premises of the locked empty house and were hitting a dog which had taken shelter there,” she said.

Since the gate was locked, the men proceeded to drag the medium-sized dog out through the narrow railings of the gate, she alleged.

“The railings began to graze and cut the dog in the mouth and ear region and there was a lot of blood, and the frightened dog was screaming in pain,” alleged Foo tearfully.

Foo said she approached the men who scolded her for interfering and threatened to compound her for obstructing them.

“They also began to use more force on the poor dog after I had approached them,” alleged Foo, who added that she believed that the dog was not a stray as it was wearing a collar chain.

Distraught and not knowing what to do, Foo contacted several other independent dog rescuers, who immediately called Selangor executive councillor in charge of local councils Ronnie Liu, who advised them to lodge a police report.

Foo lodged a report at the Puchong police station and rushed to the MPSJ dog pound located not very far from the area.

“What I saw there only depressed me further as the dog was locked up in the pound, bleeding and in pain,’’ alleged Foo.

When contacted, MPSJ president Datuk Adnan Md Ikshan said he would look into the matter as well as speak to the relevant officers.

Meanwhile, Foo and several other independent rescuers are working towards getting the injured dog out of the MPSJ dog pound in Puchong to send it for treatment.

Said one of the rescuers, Leigh Chen, who had rushed with Foo to look for the dog at the pound after it had been brought there: “This dog has undergone a traumatic and merciless ordeal at the hands of the council dog catchers.

“Given this, it is only fair that this unfortunate dog be given a chance to live the rest of its canine life in a loving home after it has been treated for its gruesome injuries.”

Chen added that she hoped municipal council dog catchers and their appointed agents would not resort to cruelty when capturing strays.

“We, the animal rescuers, plead with those who deal with strays to do their job with a sense of compassion coupled with the realisation that animals, too, know fear and pain, just like us human beings,” added Chen.

Those interested in sponsoring the injured dog’s treatment or adopting it can write to malaysiandogsdeservebetter@gmail.com.

KARE to open shelter for strays in Kuantan

2008-10-31T15:09:00.004+08:00
Let's hope they follow in the footsteps of SPCA Penang who is doing a wonderful job in caring for the animals!

The STAR
October 17, 2008

A carnival-like atmosphere prevailed as dog lovers gathered at Taman Gelora in Kuantan for the second Charity Doggie Open Day.

Various booths selling a host of items were set up at the site for visitors to buy using coupons. Proceeds from the sale went to the Kuantan Animal Rescue & Education (KARE).

Time-out: After all the attention, one needs to rest .

According to veterinary surgeon Dr Bhajan Singh, the event was to promote awareness on stray dogs besides raising fund for KARE.

“We plan to open an SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) in Kuantan that deals with the awareness and education on cruelty to stray dogs.

“We also hope to reduce the number of stray dogs roaming the streets.” he said.

Dr Bhajan said he planned to make trips to schools to increase public awareness.

Man’s best friend: Terry and his pet, Gigi

During the open day, the activities lined up included dog shows, dog obedience demonstration by the Selangor and Johor Working Dogs Club, colouring contests for the kids and a dog photography contest.

A visitor, Lika Magarita said her family members were dog lovers and they pampered their nine-month old Shih-Tzu named Lucky like a baby.

“This is the first time I am bringing Lucky out, so he’s all hyped up,” she said. However, the dogs that stole the hearts of the public were mother and daughter Cody and Gigi, two Siberian Huskies owned by two close friends, who wished to be known only as Terry and Simon.

“Gigi has been with me for three years while Simon has had Cody for five years,” said Terry, adding that he was delighted that his dog Gigi won the overall champion title in the dog show.

“The Huskies cost us about RM2,000 to RM3,000 each,,” Terry said.

He added that Huskies howled like wolves instead of barking.

Despite the hot weather, the dog lovers and their pets had fun frolicking around and getting to know each other better.

Thieves Target Pedigree Pets In The Klang Valley

2008-10-31T15:01:00.002+08:00
Please click on this link to read this article published in the STAR yesterday. This is the result of a government too busy enriching themselves to make any decent laws regulating pet shops and breeders and any kind of sale of animals.

What do you expect from a country that allows Pasar Malam vendors to sell puppys and holiday resorts to display endangered wildlife and worse force baby elephants and orang utans to do perform for the public calling it "entertainment".

If so many people are allowed to exploit animals for profit, how can we expect dognappers not to eventually jump on the bandwagon?

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/10/30/central/2405307&sec=central

Lost Dog

2008-10-31T14:35:00.003+08:00

A 5mth old male jack russell terrier puppy with name Zander was lost in SS1 (Kg. Tunku) area since October 15th. Has a white body with brown markings on his head. Shorted-haired. To all my friends please help to put this pictures on your blogs and websites.

If found please contact (012) 415-1524 or (012) 770-7490. Reward will be given for safe return of the dog.
Thanks.

Choose Your Vet Carefully

2008-10-31T13:51:00.013+08:00

Please read carefully, Yen's warning below. To learn more or adopt a pet write to Yen at acs_yen@hotmail.com:

"Dear All,

My friends and I have recently adopted 3 JRT pups. There were 7 in the litter. Prior to putting them up for adoption, the owners brought the pups to Animal Medical Centre vet to be vaccinated. As the owners were not very experience, they were con by the vet.

Look what we found. The pictures are attached. The pups were given expired vaccination. Considering it is their first jab, this is so dangerous.

For all we know, it could have endangered the lives of the pups. This is really an irresponsible vet. I would like to make this known so that everyone who reads this forum will be more careful about how they choose their vets for the sake of their beloved pets.

I do not want anyone else to fall prey to this money minded doctor who is clearly just out for money and could not careless for their patients (Our furkids). They have an unfair advantage as our furkids cant talk and tell us what is happening.

Lucky for the pups, we have another trust worthy vet we consulted. As advised by our trustworthy vet, the expired vaccination will not harm the pups but it is now deemed worthless and does nothing for the pups. We will have to go for another additional vaccination to replace the expired one.

Pic 1 - The medical cards of our pups.
Pic 2 - Look at the dates of suggested vaccinations. It is rediculous. Vaccinations are suppose to be given within 30 days interval. All vets knows that. However, this vet is suggesting 21 days for the 2 Vac and 13 days for the 2nd Vac. And parvo test is suggested after vaccination completed? Does vaccination not mean that the pups are supposed to be protected against parvo?

Pic 3 - Look at how the stickers for the vaccination were deliberately sticked onto the book. Noticed the 2nd sticker is covering the 1st. The vet is deliberately trying to deceive the owners and hoping that the owner does not check the stickers. Unlucky for the screwed up vet, we did check.
Pic 4 - Vaccine expired on 13 June 08 while vaccination was given on 25 June 08. Con job!!

Pic 5 - A closer look at the expired vaccination label. Look at the dates. No wonder the doc wants us to go back for a parvo test. They used expired products.
Pic 6 - A closer look. Look at how the other label was purposely stuck on top of the expired label.
Pic 7 - And finally you can see the name on the card is Dr. Siva.

Please help pass the word around to protect all our pets."

From Cheah Siew Yen
Independent Animal Rescuer
acs_yen@hotmail.com

Our Cherating Holiday

2008-10-14T20:10:00.025+08:00
Our Cherating Holiday at Ruby's Resort was heavenly! There were about 28 people and 22 dogs. We all had a great time getting to know each other. Why not? Our dogs were not shy sniffing out the new ones and that broke the ice and got us all talking too.

Above is Novita Solihin with her daughters playing with one of their five Jack Russel Terriers and another dog. .

To the right is me holding on to my dog Lina who as you can see doesn't take to the water like the others. Don't ask about that thing on my head. I asked Ruby for goggles and all she had was this snorkeler's pair.

It's amazing to see all our dogs off the leash and not have a single one run off into the jungle or down the long stretch of beach unattended. To think that some of the people were animal rescuers and had brought along their rescued dogs. It shows that strays can be trained and well behaved.

These people like Yen and Kay Wong are a wealth of information on how to rid our dogs of bad habits, the right food, training tips, etc. This is Kay sitting on the steps of the children's playhouse with her rescued dog.

The picture below that is of Yen in the water with her dog, Pasha and one of Novita's terriers, Jack. Jason and Rosalie Lin brought along their dog, Coco Courageous Lin, a beautiful Corgi with one eye blue and the other brown. Ruby's Resort has only the basic amenities but is extremely clean.

It shares the same stretch of beach with Club Med which is about 10 minutes walk away. So what do you do when there is no luxurious spa to indulge in? Create your own. That is what Rosalie did for her baby Coco. Here is a picture of Coco being given a sand spa. Ruby's Resort has the most beautiful and clean sand I have ever seen, by the way.

Join Us On World Animal Day At Bangsar Village

2008-09-21T01:04:00.006+08:00

How is everyone getting on ? A very interesting and exciting event will be happening in town......soon.

Yes, its The Celebration of World Animal Day!!! Woof ! Woof !
Venue : Bangsar Village Shopping Center
Time : 10am to 7pm
Date : 4th October 2008 ( Saturday )

Lots of fun and exciting Animal Welfare Activities awaiting you, your pets and children. There will be a Children's Art Competition, a 30-minute Dog Walk around Bangsar. Feel free to dress up your dog and yourself, carrying animal friendly banners if you like.

Malaysia's Dr. Dogs, Dr Babe, Dr Kylie and Dr Sugar will be looking forward to your pets signing up for the 4th Dr Dog Examination in November. They are hoping for more pals to join them in their doctors rounds to visit old folks and children.

We will also be meeting our Feline Guests from the Pet Finder.

To sign up your child for the Children's Art Competition call
Chris Chan - 019-3803650 or email to chanchristina63@yahoo.com

To sign up your dog for the Dog Walk call
Siew Siew - 012-3772328 or email to mantaray60@hotmail.com

REGISTRATION IS FREE

Many Thanks for your support.
From your Special Friend, Jojo ( Furry Friends Farm's 2nd Ambassador )
http://www.furryfriendsfarm2006.blogspot.com/

In Loving Memory Of My Baby, Giddy Boy

2008-09-20T14:19:00.012+08:00

To the world, he was the famous Dr. Gideon Sunday who appeared many times in all the newspapers, but to me he will always be my Giddy Boy.

My first dog, my baby who touched every life he came in contact with, passed away peacefully on September 16, 2008 at 8:30 pm.

Dr. Gideon Sunday and Dr. Babe were Malaysia's first two Dr. Dogs. They were personally selected by Jill Robinson, founder of Animals Asia Foundation. Jill has received many international awards for her work and appeared on CNN, Discovery Channel, etc. But her greatest reward and award we all know is to see the end of suffering of all animals.

Gideon Sunday was a rescued dog. When he came to us, we noticed he had difficulty getting up and walking. His legs often gave way under him and he would collapse on the floor.

This is why Gideon often lay down spread-eagled on the floor. Vets told us he was a cross between a Chow Chow and mongrel. He looked like a bear and so unusual that people would stop and stare.

We took him to the vet who said Gideon had arthrities and cataract. We gave him the necessary medication for both to help him deal with it. One vet I know who deals with traditional Ayurvedic medicine (only herbs) gave eyedrops for Gideon which remarkably improved his sight. He could even jump across small drains and go around pot holes by himself which meant he could see them.

He walked much better on rough surface like roads and grass where he could walk for up to an hour without resting. Later he was even able to sit rather than lie spread-eagled but not for long.

Gideon became well enough to visit old folks homes and children's homes under the Dr. Dog Programme. The sight of him and Babe approaching with their red bandanas would have children running out of their house to come and greet us. Gideon wore his Dr Dog bandana with great pride.

After all, Jill Robinson herself put it on him. He was a great Dr. Dog - so gentle and loving with old folks and kids.

He was supposed to officially receive his retirement certificate at the World Animal Day celebrations at Bangsar Village on October 4, 2008.

I'm still keeping Dr. Gideon's red, Dr. Dog bandana and his name tag and photo. It reminds me of the joy and hope he brought so many people. He is now in heaven together with Cheeky, Salehin’s dog. Gideon’s Uncle Salehin was kind enough to post a loving memorial to Gideon on Cheeky’s blog www.rememberingcheeky.blogspot.com.

Do check out Cheeky’s memorial too. He was truly a special dog, like my Giddy Boy. I know he will be a great friend to my Giddy Boy in heaven.

I'm proud to have known Gideon Sunday. I'm glad God chose me to look after him in his last days. Rest in peace, Giddy Boy. One day we will meet again.

Sarah Palin - A Dirty Politician Who Has Destroyed Much Of The Natural Beauty of Alaska

2008-09-02T13:52:00.021+08:00

A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT AND CEO OF
DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE ACTION FUND

Sarah Palin, whose husband works for BP (formerly British Petroleum), has repeatedly put special interests first when it comes to the environment. In her scant two years as governor, she has lobbied aggressively to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling, pushed for more drilling off of Alaska’s coasts, and put special interests above science.

Ms. Palin has made it clear through her actions that she is unwilling to do even as much as the Bush administration to address the impacts of global warming. Her most recent effort has been to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove the polar bear from the endangered species list, putting Big Oil before sound science. - Rodger Schlickeisen, President and CEO, Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund

Every year thousands of Alaskan bears and wolves are cruelly hounded and shot from helicopters like these two baby bears you see above. Sarah Palin is in favour of this. Click on this link to read the truth of what environmentalists and scientists are telling you which the politicians are not, probably because they stand to make big bucks from businessmen if they turn a blind eye to the destruction of the environment.
http://www.grizzlybay.org/Sar
ahPalinInfoPage.htm

Dogs' Dream Vacation At Cherating

2008-08-29T12:12:00.010+08:00
A group of animal rescuers and their dog loving friends have booked an entire resort to themselves in order to bring our dogs and allow them to freely roam about. Isn't that awesome?

Our dogs are free to go anywhere and no horrid signs like "No Pets Allowed". Hah! Yours truly is taking my two rascals and I can't wait to see their faces when they take their first look at the sea! That should be a Kodak moment.

Gideon is well behaved. After all, he is a Dr. Dog. But Lina...I hope I don't have to dive in after her into the sea as Lina has the tendency to plunge headlong into the unknown. I tell her sometimes "Fear is a good trait to have. It keeps you from getting killed."

I'm sorry to report the resort is now fully booked but do check out the photos I've posted here from previous Dog-friendly vacations and perhaps you can call the resort yourself to make bookings for similar dog friendly vacations like ours. Here is the website :
http://www.rubys-resort.com/index.php

Sunway College Lecturers Teach Students To Love And Respect Animals

2008-08-13T17:31:00.011+08:00
Hi! Check out my stories in the STAR Weekender. Don't forget to click on link at the end to read the second story on animal assisted therapy.

The STAR Newspaper, Saturday July 26, 2008

PETS AS TEACHERS

Most people don’t get a kiss and a cuddle when they arrive at work. But the lecturers at Sunway University College’s School of Health and Natural Sciences do — from the pets that accompany them to work.

These lecturers have banded together to teach a unique course called Pet Behaviour Studies, which is part of the psychology programme at Sunway College and unheard of in most local universities.

Don’t be surprised if you should see the animals teaching the students in this programme!

Photo caption: From left: Dr Sagathevan Kuppusamy showing Vrinda Yajna Rupa Prabakaran, Gerard Goh Nai King, Sindhu Nair and Wong Poh Wan how to handle a sugar glider.

In one class, the star attraction is psychology lecturer Dr Cheong Sau Kuan’s two-year-old pet ferret. Dr Cheong would cover up her pet’s favourite toy and every single time the ferret would find it — unless it got weary of the game and found the students’ bags more interesting.

“Pet Behaviour Studies changed my life. I never saw animals the same way again,” Sara Chen Su-May, 21, says aloud amidst loud applause and laughter from the class over the ferret’s antics.

Chen completed her psychology studies a year ago and has returned to Sunway College as an intern. Inspired by her lecturers, she started a blog to educate people on how to take the time and effort to learn amazing things about their pets for a more enriching bond.

The new course is often an eye-opener for the students.

One group, who still had heavy medical facts swimming around in their brains from the last class, walked into one such class and was surprised to find animals that were not drugged, dissected or caged. They wondered if this was a break from class instead of an actual class when told they were allowed to follow the animals around.

“Children these days have lost the power of observation,” laments Dr Teoh Hsien-Jin, 42, who heads the psychology department.

“There are so many things in this world that distract them. Children grow up to be people who have no depth and are later susceptible to stress and mental illness.

“Animals can teach us how to de-stress if we know how to cohabit with them properly. Pet Behaviour Studies cultivates a student’s sense of observation. As we understand animals, we also begin to understand ourselves.”

In her class, Dr Cheong is demonstrating how rabbits and hamsters respond to colours.

“Our experiments are like games which both the students and animals enjoy. It stimulates the mind and at the same time, teaches young people that animals are intelligent creatures. Students then learn to be sensitive to other human beings, especially those who are not like them,” says Dr Cheong.

“Being sensitive is a key factor in the making of a great psychologist.”

Student Rubyni Krishnan, 20, confesses that her own relationship with her pets has improved tremendously after the course.

“I carried out a project that investigated whether hamsters are able to distinguish more than one object. Through it, I learnt how to train and understand my own pets,” says Rubyni.

Photo caption : Dr Sagathevan’s students get up close and personal with his tarantula and leopard gecko. — UU BAN LEONG/The Star

Dr Teoh explains that most concepts in psychology, such as dominance, relationship, bonding and others, are derived from observing animals, so what they are doing in this pet course isn’t all that unusual.

Dr Sagathevan Kuppusamy, 48, who heads the Department of Science and Engineering Resources, is collaborating with Dr Teoh in studying animals in a non-clinical setting. He teaches biology, and his students know him as “the commando lecturer” because he considers nature his classroom.

Often, they would go with him on expeditions into the forest or to the ocean to observe animals in their natural surroundings.

He was the first to design and build an Animal Room for his pets. When Dr Teoh and Dr Cheong brought their pets to work, Dr Sagathevan helped them create a home for their pets that closely resembled their natural habitat.

“I spend long hours observing, studying and interacting with animals in the wild. When I learnt that Drs Teoh and Cheong shared my love of animals, we decided to pool our resources to work together for the benefit of the students,’’ says Dr Sagathevan.

Dr Sagathevan also teaches a subject called Pet Studies under the pet behaviour course. His pets — a sugar glider, green iguana, leopard gecko and some frogs — have all accompanied him to class so that students can learn about their habitat, what they eat and the proper way to hold them.

He explains that nocturnal animals like the sugar glider prefer minimal activity during the day.

“Many commercial zoos don’t bother about this, and cause the animals great stress by allowing people to disturb them all day long. These zoos also do not teach the public the proper way to hold animals. Indirectly, they are sending a message that it is all right to manhandle them.

“I was quite shocked when I saw painted chicks being sold at a pasar malam. I’ve seen shops selling fish injected with dye to make them luminous. All these are done by ignorant people,” says Dr Sagathevan.

Just two months ago, the lecturers set up a Pet Club for Sunway College students to learn the proper way to bond with their pets.

Randy Chuah, president of the Malaysian Tarantula Society, is grateful to Sunway College for allowing their tarantulas to make guest appearances at the Pet Behaviour Studies classes and at the college’s open day when parents and the public visit. The society was founded by Sunway College’s alumni in 2005 and is fully supported and managed by these former students.

“We chose to champion the cause of tarantulas because they are seriously misunderstood by society,” says Chuah.

“In a way, we are speaking out against society’s ignorance. Our planet is suffering from this ignorance. We too were ignorant until our lecturers opened our eyes. As we studied what tarantulas ate and how the different trees and shrubs provide food and shelter for them, we even began to look at trees differently.

“In the past, trees were just part of the landscape, but now we see them as a vital part of the eco-system for the survival of all forms of life, including mankind,” Chuah opines.

Towards the end of the class, the students settle down to watch a video on “occupational” animals. Dogs are shown helping the blind and monkeys helping paraplegics.

As the video plays, Dr Teoh concludes in a quiet corner at the back of the class, “We want to create a stimulating environment for our students, to open up a whole world of possibilities so that they will learn to face every challenge in life with ethics and a positive regard for others.”

o Psychology is a three-year degree programme at Sunway University College. The next intake for this programme will be on August 14. To learn more call (03) 7491 8622.

To read related story click below:
http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2008/7/26/lifefocus/1589093&sec=lifefocus

Dr. Dog's Third Examination

2008-07-30T12:14:00.013+08:00
It was a great fun-filled day for us and our dogs at Taman Mutiara Puchong recently. There were 15 try-outs for Dr. Dog but only one made it - Chris' dog Sugar.

Nevertheless, everyone had fun and we would like to thank the Residents' Association of TMP for graciously organizing the event and preparing lunch for all those who came.

PIX TO THE RIGHT: All the Dr. Dogs gathered together (from left to right) Sugar with Chan, Babe with Siew Siew, Gideon with me and Kylie with Salehin Ibrahim and Dr. Dog examiner, Paul Choong at the back

Please read post below for STAR newspaper's story on Sugar, the only dog to have passed Dr. Dog's Third examination.

PIX TO THE RIGHT: The other dogs and guardians who joined us at TMP. Man in black t-shirt at the back holding a three-legged puppy his family rescued from the streets and is looking to rehome as they already have a couple of dogs.

This puppy has been given full medical treatment, vaccinated, etc and is cheeky and healthy. It moves with such agility it is hard to believe it has only three legs until you notice carefully.

If you would like the Dr. Dogs to visit any orphanage, hospice, recuperating stroke victims, your college, office, local hospital (provided you get clearance from hospital management), etc. please call Sabrina or Chris. Their phone numbers are in STAR's article below.

PIX BELOW: TMP Residents and friends chilling with their dogs
All Pix Courtesy of Salehin Ibrahim

First Time In The Country An Entire Residents' Association Makes A Commitment To Animal Welfare

2008-07-30T11:42:00.005+08:00
ARTICLE IN THE STAR METRO
MONDAY JULY 21, 2008

Sugar’s story: Golden retriever is the first pedigree to join the Dr Dog programme

IT WAS a proud day for Christina Chan Lai Peng, 38, when the Taman Mutiara Puchong residents association (TMP) jointly organised Dr Dog’s third examination at its community centre recently.

Not only was her pet, Sugar, the only dog to qualify out of the 15 that took part in the examination, the golden retriever also became the first pedigree to qualify for the programme.

Making Sugar’s achievement even more heart-warming is her story, as revealed by Sabrina Yeap, founder of Furry Friends Farm, which runs the Dr Dog programme in Malaysia.

“I’m especially thrilled because Sugar’s story is quite remarkable,” Yeap said.

“She was used by an unscrupulous breeder and then dumped on the streets when she was no longer good for breeding. A volunteer at the farm begged me to take her in because she kept loitering around the shop that had used her mercilessly, as she had nowhere else to go. The volunteer was afraid a worse fate would befall her if the breeder spotted her,” said Yeap.

PIX ABOVE: Sole qualifier: Choong and Chan with Sugar, the only dog to pass Dr Dog’s third examination, is also the first pedigree to join the programme.

“I’ve tried to maintain Furry Friends Farm as a shelter for mongrels and mixed breeds only because they are the least cared for by society. Even during adoption, pedigrees are snapped up quickly but not the others.

“But when I accompanied the volunteer to look at Sugar, my heart melted. She was so rundown and didn’t look like a retriever. Her poor breathing caused her to wheeze loudly and she had serious skin problems,” Yeap recalled.

Chan, from TMP, went to Furry Friends Farm a year ago, saw Sugar and fell in love with her despite her poor condition. Under Chan’s love and care, Sugar blossomed into a beauty. Her pale colouring was replaced by a bright golden hue. Her skin problem vanished and she now has a thick, shiny coat.

“I didn’t even look at Sugar’s face when I picked her. I was at the farm to adopt a dog and I saw this great big rump facing me and fell in love with that fat backside,” said Chan, laughing.

She wanted the rest of the TMP committee to understand what Furry Friends Farm was doing, so when Window Into The Community, a Chinese show on TV2, screened a special two-part featuer on Furry Friends Farm’s Dr Dog programme, she encouraged everyone to watch it.

“We were moved to see how a Down’s Syndrome girl’s face lit up when the Dr Dogs visited her,” said TMP chairman Steven Poh Tzu Seng 52, who immediately convened a meeting to discuss how they could take part in the Dr Dog programme.

It led to TMP jointly organising Dr Dog’s third examination.

The Dr Dog programme, which was founded by Animals Asia Foundation (AAF), Hong Kong, is now in seven countries, including Malaysia where it was launched in July 2007.

In this programme, dogs visit old folks homes and children’s homes for autistic, mentally-challenged and abused children – anywhere they can bring inner healing. Last month, the Dr Dogs of China visited 40 primary school children made homeless by the Sichuan earthquake.

For those whose dogs did not make the cut, Yeap offers a second try-out after three months. Meanwhile, Dr Dog examiner Paul Choong will offer guidance on how to train their dogs.

“We are very strict with the examination because these dogs will be mingling with strangers, so they must have the right temperament – not too boisterous, patient and self-controlled,” Yeap explained.

She added that previously, only mongrels and mixed breeds were allowed to try out for the examinations because of the prejudice Malaysian society had against them. “But they’re beautiful and intelligent, just like Babe and Gideon, Malaysia's first Dr Dogs.”

“Many of us here are dog lovers and we find that adopting the Dr Dog programme also cultivates a caring community among the Taman Mutiara Puchong residents,” said Poh.

“With this programme, we hope the residents will understand that animals deserve our respect and we have a responsibility to care for them if we take them into our lives, whether we buy them from pet shops or adopt from shelters.

“They are not toys for your kids, nor alarm bells for your houses, but individuals in their own right which have their own contribution to make to the family and society,” said TMP committee member Michael Yeoh, 38.

The TMP/Dr Dog programme is the first of its kind in Malaysia where an entire residential estate has pledged its support and work together for animal welfare.

Chan is the co-ordinator of TMP’s Dr Dog Community Project.

To learn more about TMP’s Dr Dog programme, call Chris Chan at 019-380 3650 or Sabrina Yeap at 016-631 9018.

P.I. Bala Abandoned His Dogs

2008-07-14T10:02:00.006+08:00
Bala is truly a mean soul to have abandoned his dogs like that. He deserves all the hell he is going through now.

Bala's Dogs Are Well
by TV Smith
12/07/08

When P.I. Bala went missing, the family's two dogs were left behind, alone. A Chinese daily reported that the dogs were weak from hunger when reporters visited the house in Rawang. Subsequently, an English daily wrote that the abandoned dogs were caged in deplorable conditions.

Upon reading the reports, me and animal welfare advocator, Sabrina Yeap, were thinking of a rescue effort. At the last minute, I managed to get hold of the nephew's lawyer and he assured me all is well with the dogs. Since their location is quite near to Sabrina's Furry Friends Farm's animal shelter in Kundang, we decided to go see the condition of the two famous canines ourselves.

We are happy to report that the dogs appeared well and are under the care of three sweet sisters living next door. The girls are schooling at different times, so they take turns to wash the cages and feed the dogs. The girls also ensure there is clean and adequate drinking water at all times.

The Three Angels (left to right): Sakti, 13 - Saraswa, 7 - Eswary, 16

A really commendable effort as they told us their father is not very fond of pets.

Sabrina left her number with them and they promised to contact her should they need assistance.

Thanks to Jugjet Singh for the directions and to Haris Ibrahim for acting as (our) legal watchdog :)

Mother & Child (left to right): Monty & Shariboo (sic)

© 2008 TV SMITH
Link to this article: http://www.tvsmith.net.my/duasen/120708_dogs.html

Foreign Workers In Malaysia Eating Puppies

2008-06-26T17:12:00.001+08:00
THE STAR NEWSPAPER June 25, 2008
Foreign workers eating dog meat
By WANI MUTHIAH

KLANG: Stray puppies are ending up as meals for foreign construction workers keen on reducing their food bills.

Indonesian construction worker Wagang Saring said the high prices of food and the need to send as much money to families back home had forced him and his friends to eat pooches.

“Puppies are the best as their meat is tender,” said the 37-year-old Saring. “The meat gives us energy to work at construction sites. Three puppies will do for five men.”

Saring was approached by The Star at a petrol kiosk in Bukit Tinggi after he was seen hitting a puppy with a piece of wood.

He knocked out the puppy with two blows and carried it back to his kongsi where his friends had already built a fire.

Fellow Indonesian worker Marcel Jeheta, 30, said the large number of stray dogs in Klang provided ample supply of meat.

Jeheta, who comes from Flores Island, said dog meat was a popular source of protein back home.

“Dog meat is widely eaten in Flores Island and we continue the practice in Malaysia,” he said.

A check around the construction site found many dogs, mostly females, that appeared to have littered recently . But there were no puppies in sight.

Cleaner Suriyati Norsalim, 40, from central Jawa, was quick to point out that only some Indonesians ate dog meat.

“Only those from Flores Island, who are not Muslims, and some non-Muslim Bataks (from Sumatra) eat dog meat,” she added.

Vietnamese Nguyen Thi Thu, 25, who works at a factory in Klang, said she noticed her countrymen eating more dog meat recently.

She said dog meat was a popular delicacy in Vietnam.

Animal welfare activist Sabrina Yeap said dog eating was gaining momentum among foreign workers because there was no law against it. “It is not illegal and so no action can be taken against those who do so,” she added.

Yeap, who manages the canine sanctuary Furry Friends Farm, said it was time the Government banned dog eating as it involved inhumane killing methods.

Macaque monkey in captivity at Ming Tien foodcourt

2008-06-25T16:42:00.014+08:00
Below is a report from Davina Goh. Davina has since sent off her report to the Department of Wildlife. I admire her tenacity and we have to keep trying although our experience has shown us that complaining to the Wildlife Department, DVS, municipal councils are like talking to brick walls. As long as the BN government is in power I don't see how this is going to change. But we the people will keep speaking up! Well done, Davina Goh!

I went to have dinner at the Ming Tien food court in Taman Megah with my mom and sister at about 9pm. When we were done, we were heading toward the right corner exit when we had then noticed a small cage next to the last stall (labelled 'PORRIDGE'), mostly blocked from view by metal blocks.

Upon closer inspection, my sister and I realized that there was a small macaque monkey inside, jumping against the walls of the cage.

It started getting more frantic to reach out to my sister and I as we peered inside. I asked the hawker manning the porridge stall if the monkey was meant to be eaten. He said it was just a pet that belonged to the 'boss' of Ming Tien.

My sister and I supposed that the monkey wasn't brought to the food court every day, since it wasn't there the last couple of times we ate there.

Regardless, I was shocked - not only was the monkey in obvious distress, but for him to be kept within a vicinity that dealt with food and beverage... as if the hygiene factor of a food court could get any more alarming than that. I fetched my camera from my house and returned to the food court, my sister deciding to accompany me too. The hawker guy I had previously spoken to had noticed my camera, and to make for some 'picture perfect' moments, he decided to 'play' with the monkey.

He teased him by waving his hand outside the cage, just beyond the monkey's reach, as the monkey leaped and flailed about, trying to grasp a hand that could possibly get him out of that hot, greasy, humid hellhole. The hawker guy was savouring the monkey's helplessness, grinning like a cheeky little boy. When I was done, I thanked him, and my sister and I stormed off with the worst taste in our mouths than any simian-tainted congee could possibly deliver.

I've just sent out a report to the enforcement division of the Malaysian Department of Wildlife and National Parks, who will check if the Ming Tien boss has a license to keep the monkey or not. If he doesn't, I assume that the monkey will be confiscated from him. If he does have a license, then the most the Department will do is slap him with a teensy fine for not following the guidelines of pet monkey ownership, and close the case.

I don't know what the young monkey's fate will be, but I'm doing what I can, and for his sake, I'm not stepping into that disgusting place that is Ming Tien for the rest of my days. Amid the crowd-pulling lights and bustling atmosphere is an overbearing ignorance, a lack of respect, a degradation of universal morals.

It's just a monkey, sure. But that's more than what anyone needs to deduce the demented nature of a businessman that is so caught up in his power as a human being
that he can use a wild animal as a trophy pet or cheap gimmick, and not see any wrong in it. Such filth!

Davina Goh
http://retardationation.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/people/Davina_Goh/516341135

World Animal Day October 4

2008-06-13T11:18:00.003+08:00
Could you help us promote World Animal Day by including a link on your website – ideally on your home page! Perhaps you could also include it in your newsletter if you have one. By adding a simple link to the website, you will be encouraging many more organisations and individuals to visit the site, be inspired and ‘get involved’.

If you visit www.worldanimalday.org.uk and go to the resources section, you will find instructions on how to create a link to the website. It’s pretty straightforward and should only take up a few minutes of your time, but the benefits of getting the message out to a wider audience will be huge.

Christian, The Lion Who Lived At Chelsea

2008-05-15T22:30:00.005+08:00
Two guys reared Christian, the lion from a baby in England but the authorities would not allow them to keep it once it reached maturity so they were forced to give it up. They took it back to Africa and placed it in a wildlife sanctuary-- a year later they went to see it and were told it would not remember them.

Watch the video of this beautiful reunion between Christian and his human family from Chelsea. Who says animals can't think or feel? Click on the link below to watch video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksdQASk7EXo

Click here to read the full story of Christian the Lion Who Lived At Chelsea:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-452820/Christian-lion-lived-London-living-room.html

Ugly, The Tomcat

2008-05-01T23:20:00.013+08:00
I thought this story was so beautiful I wanted to share it on this blog:

Everyone in the apartment complex I lived in, knew who Ugly was. Ugly was the resident tomcat. Ugly loved three things in this world: fighting, eating garbage, and, shall we say, love? The combination of these things, combined with a life spent outside, had their effect on Ugly. To start with, he had only one eye, and where the other should have been, there was a hole. He was also missing his ear on the same side. His left foot appeared to have been badly broken at one time and had healed at an unnatural angle, making him look like he was always turning the corner.

Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby, striped type, except for the sores covering his head, neck, and even his shoulders. Every time someone saw Ugly, there was the same reaction. "That's one ugly cat!!!"

All the children were warned not to touch him, the adults threw rocks at him, hosed him down, squirted him when he tried to come in their homes, or shut his paws in the door when he would not leave. Ugly always received the same reaction.

If you turned the hose on him, he would stand there, getting soaked until you gave up and quit. If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around your feet in forgiveness.

Whenever he spied children, he would come running, meowing frantically and bump his head against their hands, begging for their love. If you ever picked him up he would immediately begin suckling on your shirt, earrings, whatever he could find.

One day, Ugly shared his love with the neighbor's dogs. They did not respond kindly, and Ugly was badly mauled. I tried to rush to his aid. By the time I got to where he was laying, it was apparent that Ugly's sad life was almost at an end.

As I picked him up and tried to carry him home, I could hear him wheezing and gasping, and could feel him struggling. It must be hurting him terribly, I thought.

Then I felt a familiar tugging, sucking sensation on my ear. Ugly, in so much pain, suffering and obviously dying, was trying to suckle my ear. I pulled him closer to me, and he bumped the palm of my hand with his head, then he turned his one golden eye towards me, and I could hear the distinct sound of purring.

Even in the greatest pain, that ugly, battled scarred cat was asking only for a little affection, perhaps some compassion.

At that moment I thought Ugly was the most beautiful, loving creature I had ever seen. Never once did he try to bite or scratch me, try to get away from me, or struggle in any way. Ugly just looked up, completely trusting in me to relieve his pain.

Ugly died in my arms before I could get inside, but I sat and held him for a long time afterwards, thinking about how one scarred, deformed little stray cat could so alter my opinion about what it means to have true pureness of spirit, to love so totally and truly.

Ugly taught me more about giving and compassion than a thousand books, lectures, talk show specials or sermons ever could. And for that, I will always be thankful.

He had been scarred on the outside, but I was scarred on the inside, and it was time for me to move on and learn to love truly and deeply – to give my all to those I cared for.

Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, and beautiful – except for me. I will always try to be Ugly. – Author unknown.

DBKL is Alleged To Be Poisoning Strays

2008-04-26T09:25:00.008+08:00
The STAR newspaper
Saturday April 26, 2008

STRAYS BEING POISONED

By WANI MUTHIAH

A NURSING home manager in Old Klang Road has alleged that certain quarters are on a dog-poisoning spree in the city.

Prakash Singam claimed that the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) dog-catching unit might be behind this.

According to the 33-year-old, he first spotted food being thrown out to dogs from a DBKL van cruising around his neighbourhood early this year.
“There were three men in the van, including the driver, and they were throwing food from the vehicle’s side door,” said Prakash.

Photo caption : Leia recuperating at the veterinary clinic after her ordeal.

He said the stray dogs in the area immediately rushed towards the food and began eating them.

Realising that something was amiss, Prakash said he rushed towards the dogs and shooed them away from the food but some of the dogs had already started eating the food by then.

“A dog, which ate the most began foaming at the mouth and became disoriented,’’ said Prakash, adding that he didn’t see the dog again after that.
He said he also found a dead dog in a monsoon drain near his home a day after the incident.

But his real nightmare took place last week when his two dogs, Leia and Dopey, were taken ill.

“In the evenings we usually let them out for a while. One evening they returned home foaming at the mouths,” he said.

He said both his dogs were licensed and never ventured far when let out and usually just hung around the front gate.

“Dopey was not so serious and we managed to nurse him back to health but Leia had to be treated at a veterinary clinic for about a week,’’ said Prakash.
He added there were burn marks inside her throat and the veterinarian who treated
Leia said the dog had suffered a bad case of pesticide poisoning.

Apparently after consuming the food, the dogs started foaming at the mouth and later died.

When contacted Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk M. Saravanan said it was hard to believe that DBKL was behind the poisoning spree.

“I strongly believe the DBKL’s dog- catching unit will not resort to such an inhumane and cruel method of countering the problem of stray dogs,’’ said Saravanan.

However, he added that he would look into the matter as soon as possible.

Protect Wildlife Or Face Tourists 'Extinction'

2008-04-21T14:16:00.003+08:00
How sad that even though Natural Resources and Environment Minister has been given the boot, the damage done under his leadership to the country's wildlife and nature is extreme.

PROTECT WILDLIFE OR FACE TOURISTS 'EXTINCTION'
Apr 21, 08 1:44pm MALAYSIA KINI

About 21 million tourists visited Malaysia last year, bringing with them RM45 billion, but unless we protect our wildlife, the country will soon see the number of tourists dwindling.

When faced with a choice between countries like India and Sri Lanka where wildlife is still abundant and Malaysia where its wildlife has been on the receiving end of “an intense and prolonged onslaught”, tourists would choose the former.

“As a result, it is increasingly difficult to see wildlife in Malaysian forests, and this is undoubtedly beginning to affect the tourist industry,” said Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Gary Phong, who is the organisation’s Selangor branch chairperson.

“Many foreign tourists express disappointment when questioned about their experience in Malaysia's forests and compare the country unfavourably with places like India and Sri Lanka, where wildlife is still plentiful despite dense human populations,” he said in a statement.

Due to the onslaught on wildlife to feed the trade in exotic pets, the supply of medicinal products and local restaurants providing exotic meat, Malaysia’s protected areas are now almost devoid of wildlife, said MNS.

Among the disappearing wildlife in Sarawak are the rhinoceros hornbill, seven out of eight other hornbill species, Bornean gibbons, two species of leaf monkey, two species of flying squirrel, sunbears, a civet, a cat, an otter, and at least five species of hawk.

Meanwhile, in Peninsular Malaysia, both the Sumatran rhinoceros and the tiger are facing extinction.

Failure to enforce laws

The wildlife trade monitoring network Traffic says that the illegal wildlife trade is getting larger and more organised and is pushing many of Southeast Asia's species closer to the brink of extinction, said Phong.

“At the heart of the problem is a failure to enforce wildlife protection laws. The laws are for the most part perfectly adequate, but enforcement agencies are under-staffed and under-resourced,” he lamented.

The society also said that the work of enforcement agencies such as the Department of Wildlife is often undermined by senior government officials and politicians.

“For example, when a local plantation owner, who also happened to be a property tycoon, blatantly encroached into Lambir Hills National Park, the Sarawak Forestry Corporation was asked to drop the ensuing case by a senior politician.

“When the Department of Wildlife has succeeded in bringing cases against restaurants for serving bush meat, the fines handed down by the judges were paltry, ranging from RM1,800 to RM5,000 despite maximum sentences of RM15,000 and five years in prison.

“Similarly, in 2005 poachers who killed a tiger in Kelantan were fined just RM7,000. Sentences like these clearly serve more as a deterrent to the enforcement agencies than the criminals,” said MNS.

The examples reflect a “malaise” among senior politicians, civil servants, and the legal profession that crimes against wildlife are “minor”, said MSN.

Whether the poachers are international syndicates trading in wildlife, a property tycoon with a pet sunbear, a restaurateur serving endangered meat, or even just a villager shooting a protected species, they are all criminals and should be treated as such, the society added.

“They are stealing our natural heritage and threatening the long-term survival of much of Malaysia's biodiversity.

“Failure to enhance enforcement will not only result in further declining wildlife populations and extinctions across much of the country, but will also erode Malaysia's international reputation and start to impact tourist revenues.”

Artist Starves Dog In The Name Of Art

2008-04-19T00:08:00.009+08:00
In the 2007, the 'artist' Guillermo Vargas Habacuc, took a dog from the street, he tied him to a rope in an art gallery, starving him to death.

For several days, the 'artist' and the visitors of the exhibition have watched emotionless the shameful 'masterpiece' based on the dog's agony, until eventually he died.

Does it look like art to you?

But this is not all ... the prestigious Visual Arts Biennial of the Central American decided that the 'installation' was actually art, so that Guillermo Vargas Habacuc has been invited to repeat his cruel action for the biennial of 2008.

Let's STOP HIM!!!!!

Click on the following link :

http://www.petitiononline.com/ea6gk/petition-sign.html

Malay Woman Bludgeons "Haram" Puppy To Death

2008-04-18T23:46:00.002+08:00
My friend told me about three days ago that her tenant a Malay lady called her to complain that a puppy had wandered into her house. She was screaming and saying she didn't know what to do and asked my friend to come over. My friend thought it was so silly to be terrified of a puppy and didn't go immediately.

By the time she did visit the tenant, she saw that this woman had lured the puppy into a garbage bag and then beat the puppy to a pulp.

"There was blood everywhere when I arrived," said my friend “and all this Malay lady could think of was where to get the right kind of sand to "cleanse" herself according to Islam. Shocking! “

You mean to say that beating a puppy to death will get you heaven but not getting the right kind of sand to “clean” yourself will keep you out?

By the way, this murderer and animal abuser is also living together out of wedlock and my neighbour asked if this khalwat she is engaged in is all right in her God’s eyes but an innocent little puppy is haram and deserved to be bludgeoned to death? The Malay woman mumbled some stupid logic that justified her actions.

I was determined this cruelty should not go unpublished and therefore have put it up here on this blog. Now wouldn't it be nice if I could post her face here with a sign "Want To See What Evil Looks Like?"

Read This Story On Plight of Disabled and Animals In Malaysia

2008-04-07T15:25:00.002+08:00
Read my story on the plight of the disabled and animals in Malaysia at

http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2008/4/5/lifeliving/20745656&sec=lifeliving

Incidentally, Peter Tan, whom I interviewed told me that after lobbying hard for a particular ramp in a large building with public access, he managed to get the BN govt to look into it and rectify the "damage". Unfortunately, though, the ramp was rebuilt wrong AGAIN. He told me (before the 12th General Elections), "Someone once told me it pays to do things wrong in Malaysia cos then you get paid again to keep doing it."

:(

Please Don't Buy Animals From Pet Shops. You Will Be Encouraging Puppy Mills

2008-04-07T13:44:00.007+08:00
Hundreds of dogs suffer in puppy mills which are unscrupulous breeders only looking to make a profit. In Malaysia it is worse because the BN (Federal) Govt has no guidelines whatsoever for controlling breeders or pet shops. RSC proposed in a Memorandum to the Ministry of Housing and Local Govt to please introduce guidelines and stop pet shops from selling animals. As usual with the BN govt till today nothing has been done.

At puppy mills, dogs are prisoners of greed. They are locked in small cages which are oftentimes dirty and often with barely any food or clean water. They are treated like 'baby machines' that have no feelings like hunger, thirst, discomfort, etc.

Many of the studs and female dogs are diseased with no medical attention given. They never get out of the metal cage which will be their prison for the rest of their lives. They are bred over and over until they die.

The only way to free them from the misery of these horrid puppymills is to eliminate the demand for puppies by refusing to buy a puppy in a pet shop, night market, etc. Then you will kill their business and they have no choice but to STOP.

Instead please adopt from animal shelters and animal rescuers who tirelessly work for the welfare of animals. There are some dogs and puppies urgently looking for homes right now. They have been rescued by kind Malaysians. Please call these kind people if you can give a home to these dogs.

There isn't space to put all of the dogs photos here. Contact the respective persons to enquire about other dogs they have rescued:

For the two dogs above, call Vimala : 012 389 5154

For dogs below contact Julie : 019-388 5119 (sms only please or call after 6pm).

Please Join the Animal Welfare Lobby Group of the People's Parliament

2008-04-07T13:05:00.003+08:00
I thank God that the winds of change have swept in new govt for five States in Malaysia. If the Electoral Commission had been reformed, postal votes eliminated, indelible ink used, and electoral role cleaned up to remove "dead" people and phantom voters stopped from voting, I have no doubt that Pakatan Rakyat would be ruling all of Malaysia now with Anwar Ibrahim as our Prime Minister.

Just today on MalaysiaKini you will read a story on an "unofficial cabinet ban" on Hindu temple builders, musicians, priests with no proper explanation by Immigration except to say, "we want locals to take up the jobs". Hindu Sangam President explains that "it takes many years to train these highly skilled workers and yet the Federal Govt is quiet about 2 million unskilled labourers in the country."

Now, does Hindraf leaders cry about ethnic cleansing seem far-fetched? No.

A group called Kelana Jaya People's Parliament (KJPP) chaired by Wong Piang Yow has formed a lobby group with various streams of interest to put foward the Rakyat's concerns to our elected ADUNs and MPs. The streams of interest are Education, Women and Children, Alternative Media, Animal Welfare issues and others.

Animal lovers who are interested in joining the Animal Welfare stream please write to piangyow@streamyx.com. He will also put you on KJPP's Yahoo Group if you are interested.

How Should Any Decent Human Being Vote On March 8

2008-03-04T13:49:00.002+08:00
Below is a letter from an RSC Supporter and RSC's reply to it:

Sorry to bother you, but i was wondering if you know of any opposition party or person strongly into Animal protection and environments protection ...thanks....so I can be sure what i vote this saturday.

Vimala Palayam

RSC's reply to Vimala:

Hi Vimala,
Thank you for exercising wisdom this coming election as it is a most crucial one and said to be the dirtiest the BN is playing because the is still no fair play with dead people still on the electoral role. My neighbour has never registered but when she checked online her name is listed as eligible to vote in Nibong Tebal, children as young as 10 are on the electoral role and usually phantom voters will come in their place to vote. This is how it works according to BERSIH a coalition of 60 NGOs alleging that the Malaysian elections are rigged.

How to vote
Firstly, you must remember that there is a consensus between ALL Opposition parties (DAP, Keadilan and PAS) to work together to end the rampant corruption, lies, muzzling of the media, tampering with supposedly free and fair establishments such as the judiciary, the police, etc. to enrich only a few people at the top and silence and suppress Malaysians who dare to seek the truth through laws such as the ISA.

So for that reason alone you MUST vote for the Opposition as they have worked out all their differences to form a pact to ensure that in almost all the places there are one to one fights with BN. Please do not trust "independents". They could be people "planted" there by BN. These people may say they are "Hindraf" sympathisers or independent but don't believe them. Our advice to EVERYONE is vote ANY OF THE OPPOSITION PARTIES FROM DAP, KEADILAN OR PAS BUT NOT BARISAN NATIONAL.

Barisan National's Track Record On Animal Welfare and Protection of the Environment

Remember the BN is the party that has a terrible track record on animal rights and environmental protection. Most of the green in Sabah and Sarawak has gone because of the greed of BN politicians working with timber tycoons. Lee Hwa Beng is also now said to be trying to steal the last green lung in Subang Jaya where I live. Read posts at www.remembersheena.blogspot.com on how there is even an alleged murder of Penan leader and two other Penans gone missing for standing up for protection of the environment.

Don't forget the treatment of all our municipal council officers toward dogs and yes even cats. The cruel way they round up strays and how there is absolutely no shelter or any sort of humane plan by the government for the welfare of animals. Kind-hearted Malaysians have no choice but to pick up strays, fork out their own money to foster and adopt and spay and neuter because the BN GOVT DOES NOT GIVE A DAMN! It only cares about mega projects which will enrich only certain people and never the rakyat (which includes Malaysian animals).

Don't forget Belum Temenggor forest, a 130 million year forest being wiped out by the BN govt. When conservationists pointed out to the BN govt that the country can earn a revenue of RM1 billion a year indefinitely by preserving Belum Temenggor for eco-tourism instead of the RM34 million they get a year now from logging, the BN govt still chose to log.

There will be nothing to log after 20 years and no revenue for Malaysia, whereas conservation can bring in the country RM1 billion perpetually. So you tell me what is the logic behind choosing the second option and not the conservation option, if it is not just to enrich some people. BN's idea of eco-tourism is allowing holiday resorts to force wildlife to perform tricks for tourists. Following his a baby elephant was almost starved to death by one resort in Melaka and even when this was reported in the media Perhilitan never took action against this resort.

Look at the earlier post on the blog how an NGO has alleged that the Minister of Environment himself is seeking to benefit personally from selling our monkeys to a cruel death through a company that belongs to him. Personally, I think the darkest pits of hell are reserved for such people who take advantage of the helpless when they are entrusted with the role to protect them.

Will you read about all these things in the mainstream media? NO! One can write an entire encyclopedia of the massive corruption, greed, lies and absolute destruction of our beloved country by the BN govt of everything decent and beautiful about Malaysia.

So VOTE ANY OF THE OPPOSITION PARTIES BUT NOT BARISAN NATIONAL - IF YOU WANT TO SAVE WHAT'S LEFT OF OUR BELOVED COUNTRY.

GOD SAVE MALAYSIA!

Hedgehogs Suffering At Carrefour

2008-02-12T09:48:00.001+08:00
RSC's letter published in MalaysiaKini below on Feb 6 this year:

I refer to the letter Hedgehogs suffering at Carrefour.

For all those like Soraya, who witness such cruelty and exploitation of animals, I encourage you to please:

1. Ask to see the store manager right away and inform him that you are a customer and disgusted with them being cruel to animals this way. Tell them that you are going to write a letter to their head office and media to complain.

2. Ask for the e-mail addresses of the head office in Malaysia and overseas and write a strong letter against the company that is abusing the animals. Copy your letter to all media. It helps to show the media that there are people out there who feel strongly against animal abuse.

3. Copy also your letter to Peta (People's Ethical Treatment of Animals). Peta will send a letter to Carrefour. They are very faithful in doing this and very efficient. For e-mail addresses, see here.

4. Once your letter has come out in Malaysiakini, send a copy as a follow-up to the manager to whom you complained, the company’s Public Relations Department and its head office.

Don't bother complaining to the Wildlife Department or the Veterinary Services Department (VSD). This is Bolehland where our former PM is now suddenly suffering from amnesia when called to account all his past misdeeds, ‘judge-fixing’ and corruption before a royal commission.

Unless we throw out this Barisan Nasional government in the coming elections, don't count on any of these governmental bodies set up to look after animals to pay any attention to your complaints even though its their job to act on complaints.

During an official meeting with 30 animal welfare activists at the Housing and Local Government Ministry in February 2006, I asked why the VSD never responded to pleas from Sheena's neighbour to save her.

Sheena was an Alsatian kept starving and tied up by a cruel engineer. Sheena's neighbour tried to feed the dog. Her pathetic photo after her death was splayed all over the newspapers, breaking people's hearts.

The VSD representative there was livid with anger and called the newspapers ‘liars’. But then I recounted my own experience with the VSD. A senior enforcement officer had told me they ‘had no time to deal with such complaints as they had other more important things to do’.

Caught red-handed, the VSD representative at the meeting could not answer except say that the enforcement officer was right and he began mumbling some things. I concluded with disgust then that despite there being laws in the country that the VSD should act upon a complaint of animal abuse, they are now blatantly saying in the presence of 30 over people that they can't be bothered to do anything. Such is the arrogance of the Barisan Nasional government.

What's more, I received a phone call on my handphone from this senior enforcement officer at (I don't know how he obtained my number) threatening me to be quiet. I lodged a police report and wrote letters to the Housing and Local Government Ministry and the Agriculture Ministry. Until today, I've never received a reply from any of these government ministries.

So don't count on the government doing anything to help animals or lost children or the elderly or the disabled or the weakest in society. They are too busy raping our forests for the big bucks from timber, too busy hiding scandals, too busy with all their corrupt activities to bother actually running the country for the good of the country and its people and animals.

Please vote for the opposition in the coming elections. It does not matter what symbol you tick as long as it is not BN’s. Even if it is a Chair, Table, Tree or Lamp-post symbol, just tick ! Any of them would be better than the government we have now.

People must understand that a change in leadership is healthy for a democracy. That is why the US president can’t stay longer than two terms. Only in Malaysia do you have old cronies and their children still clutching on to their lucrative positions - this because the ‘rakyat’ have been made blind, deaf and dumb through the mainstream media which is a puppet on a string.

ROAR ACCUSES GOVT MINISTRY OF PROFITING FROM EXPORT OF MONKEYS

2008-02-12T09:21:00.000+08:00
Another Election Campaign Trail story from MalaysiaKini. Vote wisely!

MALAYSIAKINI : Conspiracy to export monkeys for profit: NGO
Bede Hong | Oct 19, 07 7:28pm

A wildlife conservation group wants the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to look into alleged business dealings involving a minister and a former director-general where wild monkeys are being exported for profit.

The group said the ACA must investigate Environment Minister Azmi Khalid (photo) and former Department of Wildlife and National Parks DG Musa Nordin, who retired last October, for abuse of power.

Malaysian Animal Rights and Welfare Society (Roar) believes that a company linked to the two is the beneficiary of a export programme created under the guise to trim down the population of long-tailed macaques in Peninsular Malaysia.
Roar submitted a memorandum to ACA office in Kuala Lumpur today calling for investigation into the matter. Accompanying the group were DAP and PKR officials.

“We are angry that the animals are being exploited by the very ministry tasked to protect them,” Roar pro-tem chairperson N Surendran told a press conference today.

Surendran said ACA should investigate whether a recent lifting of the ban on the export of macaques was motivated by profit.

In June, against international convention, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry lifted a 23-year ban on the export of macaques, saying there is an overpopulation of the species.

In July, Roar submitted a memorandum to the minister demanding the reinstatement of the ban and a halt on all pending macaque shipments. They also lodged a police report against Azmi and ministry officials for violating Section 92(f) of the Protection of Wildlife Act 1972.

The police forwarded the case to the ACA last month, saying it has elements of abuse of power.

“We found this very suspicious. All animal rights groups and wildlife experts found it very strange. The question is why the ministry is bent on exporting these monkeys? I will give you the answer right now... money,” said Surendran.

“The ministry wants to make money out of it, and the ministry is allowing a private company to make money out of it. The question here is why is the Malaysian environment and natural resources being plundered in order to profit some company,” he said.

Surendran referred to a news article published by the Star on Sept 11, where Musa admitted he was “indirectly involved” in the monkey trade.

“We have information that the decision to export the monkey when Musa Nordin was still the DG. We have information that there is connection with the company. He has close contacts with the Department of Wildlife. Clearly there was some hanky panky going on there with elements of corruption,” he said.

According to Roar, each exported monkey brings in RM250. The macaques are exported, mostly to China, for animal testing and vivisection.

Roar alleged that the export contract of over 20,000 monkeys annually was given by the Environment Ministry to a company, Sunny K-9 Sdn Bhd. A check revealed that the company, based in Ipoh, is a dog-training academy.

Surendran also disagreed with the Environment Ministry figures that there are over 250,000 monkeys living near urban centres and over 500,000 monkeys living in the jungles.

“We question the figures because experts found that it was not possible to calculate the precise number of monkeys through the ministry’s methodology. I feel the figures are grossly over-estimated to justify the lifting of a ban,” said Surendran.

Surendran said the ministry should pursue alternative ways to reduce the macaque population including sterilisation, relocation and humane culling.

Greenpeace Takes On A Malaysian Timber Giant

2008-02-03T13:01:00.000+08:00

First of RSC's election campaign stories : Below is a story from Corpwatch.org from March 2004

"The Untouchables - Rimbunan Hijau's World of Forest Crime and Political Patronage," a searing report issued by Greenpeace International, profiles Malaysian timber giant Rimbunan Hijau ("Green Forest"). A billion-dollar business owned by Sarawak tycoon Tiong Hiew King and his family, Rimbunan Hijau "appears to be protected by an extensive and well- established network of political patronage and media control," according to the Greenpeace the report.

Tiong's ties with the "political elite" and his former position as a Malaysian senator representing the Chinese-dominated Sarawak United People's Party have blurred the distinction between government and logging interests, Greenpeace charges. This, the report added, has led "to changes in legislation that favor corporate activities and which result in the disregard and repression of many actors within civil society."

Tiong has since made forays into the media business, and is the owner of three newspapers: Malaysia's Sin Chew Jit Poh, Hong Kong's Ming Pao and Papua New Guinea's National newspaper, among others. Interest groups have in the past charged that his control of National, in particular, helps the tycoon influence public opinion over his Papuan businesses.

Rimbunan not only dominates Papua New Guinea's logging industry, the company also has interests in Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Malaysia, Vanuatu, Indonesia, New Zealand and Russia. The Greenpeace report focuses particularly on Rimbunan's logging activities in Papua -- where its activities have long been the target of criticism by local communities and environmentalists. Papua's annual $100 million timber exports are largely destined for China, Japan and South Korea.
Although a number of its logging permits have been declared unlawful by government investigators, no action has been taken against its 60-plus companies doing business in Papua.

Some of these logging subsidiaries have also managed to avoid open bidding on logging licenses, possibly due to its "close connections to Papua New Guinea's political elite," according to Greenpeace.

Meanwhile, the environmental organization reports that Papua's prime minister has been "directly involved in the logging industry and his deputy has been criticized in an Ombudsman Commission report for 'arbitrary and irresponsible' interference in directing the unlawful allocation of logging concession to Rimbunan Hijau."

Despite these revelations, enforcement is almost non-existent and the same commission found that the head of the Environment and Conservation Department supported the timber conglomerate, Greenpeace charges.

Two weeks after Greenpeace issued its report, Papua New Guinea's forestry minister, Patrick Pruaitch took out advertisements in the country's two main daily newspapers to deny Greenpeace claims that Rimbunan Hijau had been logging without legal permits.

"All logging operations in the country are legal," Pruaitch said in the advertisements.

Pruaitch said suggestions that illegally felled timber was being exported were "libellous and malicious" and defended the Rimbunan Hijau Group as "one of the most committed logging companies in PNG".

The Greenpeace report also points out that Rimbunan's influence extends even further. In November 2003, a Papua airline was ordered by the company to only fly Rimbunan-approved passengers to its logging concession area and to deny travel to any non-government organization.

Military Links
Elsewhere, Rimbunan's Indonesian subsidiary PT Rimbunan Hijau Jaya, has been accused by Greenpeace of using its ties with the Indonesian military to threaten locals opposed to its logging plans.

Rimbunan's negligent logging practices appear to be widespread and not just limited to Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

In the Solomon Islands, Rimbunan has also faced criticism from residents and interest groups for environmentally destructive practices, illegal logging and other irregularities such as under reporting of log receipts, and payments made to parliamentary members.

In Malaysia, Rimbunan owns a 20 to 25 percent share of the timber industry. Its activities there are well known for infringing onto native customary land rights, according to Greenpeace.

Similar to the situation in Papua, Malaysian government officials and police work in the interest of logging companies, according to Greenpeace. Faced with inaction by authorities, native communities have blockaded logging roads, denying access to timber companies.

"Police and forest department officials have arbitrarily arrested and detained those indigenous people who put up any form of protest, even though such protests are undertaken within the confines of their own lands and they have legitimate rights under the law to such forms of protest," it Greenpeace said.

General Elections : On The Campaign Trail

2008-02-03T12:18:00.001+08:00
I'd like all of you who have ever tried to do something right for animals or even children or the helpless in Malaysia to ask yourselves honestly, in your heart, whether you are satisfied that the very govt bodies set up are doing enough for the most helpless in Malaysian society.

Please don't be fooled into thinking that Opposition leaders cannot run this country. There are many capable Opposition leaders and the moral that needs to be learnt by Malaysians is that no one should be allowed to stay in office for too long as ultimate power always corrupt. Such is human nature. This is why in the US, even the President cannot serve longer than two term no matter how popular he is.

The honest people who are frustrated with the police, judiciary and controlled mainstream media have no avenue to voice their complaints and are going to the streets. Sadly, for this 'crime' they are and then thrown in jail - simply for speaking up for truth and justice.

Please vote for change in this coming elections. RSC will be featuring many separate stories from the alternative media to educate Malaysians on how important this coming general elections is for all Malaysians. This is no time to stay on the fence.

Why is RSC, an animal welfare movement speaking about the general elections, because we find that it is getting increasingly difficult to help animals and the weakest in Malaysian society due to the rampant corruption that is so bad that society has lost its pride in a work well done. Instead its all about 'what is my cut', 'what's in it for me'? and not what is best for the country.

Read the stories posted here and see for yourself how this disease called CORRUPTION is eating away at all our lives - even the lives of those fence sitters.

Not Just Puerto Rico - It Is Happening Right Here In Malaysia

2007-11-15T08:35:00.000+08:00
The AFP report below is similar to what is happening in Malaysia according to NST's SPOTLIGHT story entitled 'IS THIS HOW WE TREAT MAN'S BEST FRIEND?'
NST SEPTEMBER 30, 2007. Please click on this link to read: http://remembersheena.blogspot.com/search?q=dog+pound

In Malaysia, similarly cruel contractors are hired by the Municipal Council Officers and situation here probably worse because newspapers have reported cases where these council officers themselves have been seen committing the abuse, such as using a meathook on a wailing dog that the Ipoh council officer had just shot (the dog was still alive), mass murder of Mr Eng Her Sun's dogs by Seremban municipal councillors although these dogs were his pets and had full medical records and been given proper care, Raihana Souket Ali's cat starved to death while boarding with Department of Veterinary Services Bukit Mertajam, and God knows how many more not reported in the Press.

Therefore we urge you to please go to AFP's website http://www.agencefrancepresse.com/english/afp/?pid=contact
and click on 'contact news department'. Then type out your message, urging AFP to investigate the same crimes reported in the article below, in Malaysia. Give them link to NST's story.

Again, I urge you to please vote for change in this coming general elections

By YAISHA VARGAS and ANDREW O. SELSKY, Associated Press Writers

TRUJILLO ALTO, Puerto Rico - Back roads, gorges and garbage dumps on this tropical island are littered with the decaying carcasses of dogs and cats. An Associated Press investigation reveals why: possibly thousands of unwanted animals have been tossed off bridges, buried alive and otherwise inhumanely disposed of by taxpayer-financed animal control programs.

Witnesses who spoke with the AP said that, despite pledges to deliver adoptable strays to shelters and humanely euthanize the rest, the island's leading private animal control companies generally did neither.

News that live animals had been thrown to their deaths from a bridge reached the public last month when Animal Control Solutions, a government contractor, was accused of inhumanely killing some 80 dogs and cats seized from three housing projects in the town of Barceloneta. A half dozen survived the fall of at least 50 feet.

The AP probe, which included visits to two sites where animals were slaughtered, found the inhumane killings were far more extensive than that one incident. The AP saw and was told about a scale and brutality far beyond even what animal welfare activists suspected, stretching over the last eight years.

A $22.5 million lawsuit against Animal Control Solutions and city officials — including those who helped round up the animals — was filed on behalf of 16 Barceloneta families whose dogs or cats were seized under rules prohibiting pets at the city projects. The animals' deaths show "a cold and depraved heart and has stirred public outrage around the whole world," the lawsuit says.

Julio Diaz, owner of Animal Control Solutions and a co-founder of another company, Pet Delivery, declined AP requests for an interview but told reporters there is no proof his company was responsible for the Barceloneta pet massacre. "We have never thrown animals off any place," he said.

A police investigation into the Barceloneta killings has not led to charges, but police Sgt. Wilbert Miranda, who heads the probe, said the information gathered so far indicates Animal Control Solutions was responsible. He declined to give details.

Maria Kortright, a lawyer involved in the suit, said it's clear the pets Animal Control Solutions removed from Barceloneta were the same ones hurled off the bridge because the survivors have been identified by their owners.

"Last Tuesday, I saw one of the survivors back at its home," Kortright said.

Animal welfare activists have complained to government agencies for years about allegations of improper disposal of animals, but say officials didn't act. Preventive action also is almost nonexistent: Puerto Rico has at least 100,000 stray dogs and cats — and no island-wide spaying or neutering programs.

Activist Alfredo Figueroa said the animal disposal companies acted with impunity because government agencies ignored allegations of cruelty, rather than investigate the companies or address the overpopulation of strays.

"There is apathy," Figueroa said. "No one wants to take responsibility."

A former employee of one of Diaz's companies told the AP that the firms rounded up thousands of animals over the years, brutally killed many of them and discarded the corpses wherever it was convenient. One of the former employees led the AP to two different killing fields and he and another former employee described a third.

"Not a single animal was turned over to a shelter," a former dogcatcher for Animal Control Solutions told the AP. Both he and an ex-employee of Pet Delivery, who was interviewed separately, spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation. Both said they left the animal disposal jobs voluntarily.

The AP contacted all eight animal shelters and sanctuaries across Puerto Rico, and they confirmed that none had received animals for potential adoption from Diaz's companies.

Diaz co-founded Pet Delivery in 1999 and created Animal Control Solutions in 2002. Pet Delivery appears to be defunct, having reported no earnings since 2004. Facing little competition, the companies had 85 contracts with municipalities and other clients worth $1.1 million in the past eight years, according to the Puerto Rican comptroller's office.

The AP could find no sign that any of the municipalities checked to make sure the companies dealt with the strays humanely.

"It wasn't our responsibility," said Edwin Arroyo, special assistant to the mayor of Barceloneta, which paid Animal Control Solutions up to $20,000 per year and in October hired the company to remove banned pets from housing projects — allegedly the ones that wound up at the bottom of the bridge.

The pet disposal scandal adds to Puerto Rico's poor reputation for treatment of animals. Cockfighting is legal, with matches shown on television. One of the island's beaches is known as Dead Dog Beach — a place where teenagers drive over live puppies sealed in bags or cruelly kill them with machetes and arrows, according to animal welfare groups that photographed the atrocities.

Figueroa says he met Diaz in 1999 and introduced him to city officials in Fajardo. The city then awarded Pet Delivery a contract to remove strays. But Figueroa said he later learned that Diaz's company also was removing pets with collars and ID tags, and dumping their bodies in a field.

"Crying children, old people, a sick woman were all calling us, thinking we were involved," Figueroa said.

A former Animal Control Solutions employee told the AP that he witnessed another worker in 2005 dragging 12 to 15 small dogs out of a van along a road outside San Juan. Normally, workers injected animals with a euthanasia drug but on this day there was none. The animals were instead given an overdose of a sedative and flung 50 feet into a trash-filled gully. Some of the dogs were alive as they crashed on top of junked beds, bottles and other garbage.

"I could hear some of the dogs whimpering as they hit the tree branches and then the ground," the former employee said as he stood with AP journalists in the muck at the site, which still holds the stench of death.

Not all the dogs died, however. A dog that was not a stray, but a sickly pet whose owner wanted it euthanized, managed to limp home. The angry owner telephoned the company and demanded it retrieve the dog and do the job right, the former employee recalled.

The former employee also showed AP reporters a highway rest stop near a gorge outside the town of Cayey where, he said, workers would inject dogs. At the edge of the gorge lay the skeletal remains of more than a dozen dogs amid matted fur and two dog collars with no tags.

Asked if the number of dogs and cats killed by Animal Control Solutions was in the hundreds, the former employee shook his head.

"It is in the thousands," he said. "On a good month, we would pick up 900."

One dog, stuffed in a sack, was found recently at the Cayey site among other bagged carcasses. It apparently survived the fall and managed to poke its head out of the bag before dying, said Carmen Cintron, who runs an animal shelter.

"I am having nightmares when I think about what that poor dog went through before it died," Cintron said.

Until 2003, Pet Delivery ran a shelter where workers injected strays, often not knowing what the drugs were or their proper doses, the former employee of that company told the AP.

Some animals were adopted from the shelter, but others — including puppies and kittens — were euthanized, the ex-employee said. Euthanizing animals that cannot be adopted is standard practice in pet shelters, but the former employee said animals at Pet Delivery's shelter were inhumanely killed.

"Any available employee at that moment would use the drug that was available and they were thrown half dead into a hole, and that's why there were some live dogs among them," he said. "What he (Diaz) had us do was to throw dirt on top of the live dogs along with the dead ones, so they all would die."

Horses Left To Starve At Ranch Owned By VIP in Sabah

2007-11-09T11:01:00.000+08:00

Here is a report from Sabah Times published in July this year on cruelty to horses that took place at a VIP's ranch in Sabah.

The address of the ranch as listed on equestrian.com.my is MELINGSUNG RANCH or PERSATUAN EKUESTRIAN SABAH, c/o Lot No 1, Harington Road, Mile 1½ Jalan Tuaran, 88100 Kota Kinabalu Tel: 088-225 16 Fax: 088-238 952 Mobile: 019-881 2666 Contact: YBhg Datuk Hj Abd Ghani, owner.

Note the paragraph in bold. I wonder where in the Animal Ordinance 2006, it states that no action can be taken for cruelty against a political figure or VIP in Malaysia. What a strange comment from Department of Veterinary Services Sabah. Why don't they prosecute this person for cruelty or remove the horses? (see Comment)

SABAH TIMES, 9th July, 2007

KOTA KINABALU: Starving horses at a ranch in Kinarut about 30kms from here are casting aspersions on Sabah’s tourism image.

The web blog posting indicated that 70 horses of the ranch owned by a former mayor have “no food, no water, and when they die they are dumped on a public beach” has brought a probe into the matter by authorities here.

In the posting, a British tourist claimed that agencies in Malaysia could do nothing about the alleged cruelty to the horses because the horses was owned by a political figure and had called for a boycott of visiting Malaysia until something was done.

When contacted, a Sabah Veterinary Department source said they were very aware of the situation and that its director Datuk Awang Sahak Awang Salleh had been contacted by national newspapers.

The source said they were investigating the claim after being informed by the veterinary head office in Kuala Lumpur.

The source said that officers from the Veterinary Department found eight of the about 60 odd horses, ponies and cross breeds on the private range were “actually malnourished.”

On a visit to the ranch this week, workers at the ranch prevented journalists from entering saying they were under strict order from the owner not to let anyone in.

The ranch is said to be owned by the former Mayor, Datuk Abdul Ghani Rashid. Efforts to contact him were in vain.

The Weekend Mail also had a story on its July 7-8 edition.

It also quoted deputy director, Dr Amat Kasim as saying that the horses were in a deprived condition due to lack of food.

“Most of them were thin but healthy. Due to financial constraints, the owner told me he couldn’t afford to feed the horses or treat the sick ones,” Amat was quoted as saying.

The horses were used for polo before the club was shut down.

According to our sources, Veterinary Department officers were visiting the ranch on a daily basis.

“Our immediate task was to provide the treatment for the horses as well as give supplementary feed to recondition them,” said the source.

However, he said they had no immediate plans to investigate the owner for alleged cruelty to animals as the owner had claimed that the horses were fed regularly but their conditions did not improve.

“We will look at the aspect of (alleged) cruelty at a later stage,” he said, adding that horses did not usually come under the ambit of the state veterinary department services as most horse owners used private veterinarians.

He said that there would also talk to the private veterinarian treating the horses in the due course of their investigations.

JILL ROBINSON ON ASTRO'S ANIMAL PLANET

2007-11-03T11:48:00.000+08:00
Jill Robinson, founder of Animals Asia Foundation (AAF) which launched the Dr. Dog Programme in Malaysia, is being featured in a documentary called Moon Bears Journey To Freedom on ASTRO's Animal Planet on Channel 556.

Despite her incredibly busy schedule, Jill came down to Malaysia to personally launch the Dr. Dog Programme. Her humility, dedication to making this world a better place and tenacity surely inspired everyone of us who came in contact with her.

RSC and FFF are so proud to be part of the Dr. Dog Programme that she started with one dog, Eddie, she rescued from China's wet market, about to be killed for food.

Screening Times For Nov 2007 of Moon Bears Journey to Freedom on Animal Planet Channel 556 ASTRO:

Thurs Nov 1 - 8pm
Fri Nov 2 - 6am
Sat Nov 3 - 1 pm
Thurs Nov 8 - 2 pm

Sorry couldn't send alert earlier. Just found out on Thursday.

DR DOG EXAMINATIONS ON NOVEMBER 10

2007-11-01T21:05:00.000+08:00
Take note that the second round of the Dr. Dog Examinations will be held on November 10, at Pet Safari Pet Safari, 1 Utama Shopping Centre. The first round of examinations in June this year was done by world famous Jill Robinson, founder of Animals Asia Foundation (AAF). In one lifetime she has done so much for the Moon Bears and Dogs and all other animals that she is truly a great inspiration to all of us.

This second round of exams will be done by Paul Choong, director of the Dr. Dog Programme for Furry Friends Farm, which is AAF's representative here in Malaysia.

This exam is only for those who have signed up prior to the date of examination. Those who would like to sign up for the future, may also drop by to fill up forms for future exams.

Malaysian Wildlife Dept Sells Endangered Species For Food

2007-11-01T20:56:00.000+08:00
Have you all seen this letter in MalaysiaKini below? It is shocking! It informs us that the Wildlife Dept (Perhilitan) which is supposed to protect Malaysia's endangered animals have spent 1.5 million to open a breeding centre to breed them for food.

The very people who are supposed to catch poachers, first, allow our monkeys to be exported to restaurants in China so ppl can eat monkey's brains while the monkeys are still alive! Now they are opening their own " meat factory" to export endangered species.

So what is the difference between them and poachers?? Utterly shocking and so morally bankrupt to take advantage of the helpless like this.

Click on link to read letter:
http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/73944

Read Story 'Ranch Of Rescued Dreams' In STAR WEEKENDER

2007-10-22T08:42:00.000+08:00

Do check out this cover page story in the STAR WEEKENDER, last Saturday. It is a great testimony of what one woman filled with LOVE can achieve by the Grace of God:

http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2007/10/20/lifefocus/19121634&sec=lifefocus

"To sin by silence when we should protest makes cowards of people" - Emily Cox

Participating In A Worthy Cause While Having A Great Time

2007-10-16T18:19:00.000+08:00
The Operafest Children's Choir performed to a full house at the Lake Club on September 29. RSC and Furry Friends Farm thanks all those who bought tickets to support the show and raise funds for the Furry Friends Farm. Please read news clipping below for more details.

World Animal Day is celebrated every year on Oct 4 in honour of St. Francis Assisi who was so in tune with nature he could communicate with animals.

It was Francis Assisi who started the world's first live nativity scene in the forest complete with the manger and shepherds, Joseph and Mary, and all the animals around the crib of baby Jesus.
This reminded Christians that it was the animals that welcomed baby Jesus into this world before any human being did. FFF cut a huge cake after the show at Lake Club to celebrate World Animal Day.(photo on the right).

RSC thanks Ronald McDonalds Children's Charities for sponsoring tickets and meals for the underprivileged children and Operafest kids. RSC volunteers handing out the meals and kids having a good time.

The Operafest kids posing with Sabrina Yeap, founder of Furry Friends Farm and Operafest founder Mrs Kam Sun-Yoke, after the show.

Happy World Animal Day to all the animals! All animals are born free and our prayer is that they will continue to live free all their lives.

Golden Retriever Nurses Stray Kitten

2007-10-09T18:58:00.000+08:00
STEPHENS CITY, Va. - A stray kitten has found a new mother in a golden retriever, who began producing milk for the little feline after hearing its cries. Honey hadn't given birth in 18 months, but after her owner, Jimmy Martin, brought home the kitten, she suddenly found herself playing mom.

"She started licking her and loving her. Within a couple of days, Honey started naturally lactating," said Kathy Martin, Jimmy's wife. "The kitten took right to her, and she started nursing her.

Jimmy Martin noticed the kitten, whom the family dubbed "Precious," about six weeks ago, when she ran in front of his concrete truck. After following her and realizing there was no mother cat in sight, he took her home.

The kitten refused to drink from a bottle, and Jimmy's mother, Ruth Martin, feared Precious would die.

The family initially tried to keep Precious and Honey apart, fearing the dog would play too rough with the little gray-striped kitten. But Honey was elated at Precious' presence, wagging her tail and prancing all over the house trying to sneak a peak at her.

Eventually, the family let Honey approach Precious, and the dog immediately took to her."The Martins said they told a veterinarian about Honey and Precious, and learned that interspecies nursing does happen on rare occasion.

Precious now sometimes plays with dog bones, and Honey lets Precious gnaw on her like a puppy would.

"She thinks she's a dog," Kathy Martin said. "She's really fit right in."
- from the Associated Press

Body Shop No Longer Cruelty Free

2007-10-09T10:19:00.000+08:00
Please note that Anita Roddick the founder of Body Shop died in September this year and before her death the company was sold to L'Oreal, a company that has a terrible track record in animal testing.

As Body Shop is now owned by L'Oreal there is no longer any measures taken to ensure that Body Shop products are cruelty free or not tested on animals.

Body Shop literature claiming cruelty free products are out-dated and no longer true.

Sadly Dame Roddick's vision and compassion has died with her. Please read Nature Watch's Press Release issued on this matter on 17 March 2006 at this link: http://www.naturewatch.org/shoppingguide/loreal_bodyshop_press_release.pdf

Remembering Sheena

Animals have rights too

KTMB’s Odd Explanation For Dog Abuse On Its Premises

Thousands March To Protest Bullfighting In Spain

Ahmad Suhaimi DVS No. 2 suggest Malaysians start eating dogs from the pound

Dog Tied To A Grill And Wood Stuck Down Its Throat

Don't Buy Kentucky Fried Chicken

Their Excuse For Starving Dogs? No Bowls

Peta Exposes What Really Goes On At Kentucky Fried Chicken in Malaysia

Orang Asli Attacked Tiger First Probably For the Lucrative Trade In Exotic Animals' Body Parts

BLAME MANKIND, NOT THE TIGERS

Rimbunan Hijau At It Again

RED ALERT FROM MDDB

Shame On Sunway For Supporting Dolphin and Sea Lion Show

Woof Meow Charity Carnival - Dec 12

Farewell Tribute To Hitam From Malay Mail!

Zoo Negara - A Torture Chamber For Animals

Hitam's Memorial Service Was Held On Oct 24

Hitam's Memorial - Date Should Be Nov 4th

Be Careful Where You Board Your Pets

Celebrate World Animal Day with Furry Friends Farm!

Dog Lover Needs More Time To Set Up Animal Sanctuary

SAM Wants Probe Into Zoo Negara's Mismanagement

Stop the Construction of Primate Testing Facilities in Malaysia!

PETA EVENT IN KUALA LUMPUR - NEED YOUR HELP

Sid's Pub No Longer Allows Dogs

Doggie Vacation In September 09

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

Sabotaged Once Again

Woof Meow Charity Car Wash Postponed

Charity Car Wash & More At 3C Complex Subang Jaya

Pulau Ketam Dogs Rescue In The Star Weekender Today

Malaysia Dog Day 2009

Vet Killed My Cat

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

Letter From A Shelter Manager (The Sad Truth)

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

Baby Orang Utan Kisses Soldier

Successful Adoption Drive

The wonderful work being done by Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better

Help Ramin Find Arjun

Watch Nick Josh Karean's Awesome Video!

Video of Protest Outside DBKL Pound, Setapak

Foie Gras - A Delicacy of Despair

Can We Ever Hope To See A Pix Like This Involving Malaysian Authorities?

How To Get To The DBKL Pound Tomorrow

TV3 Expose featured in The Star

Protest Outside DBKL Setapak on Saturday

Good Show Yesterday!

Watch 360 on TV3 tonight at 9 pm

IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE TIME AND LOVE TO GIVE TO YOUR PETS, DON'T OWN ONE!

My Cover Page Stories In The Star Weekender

A Hugely Successful Event At Sid's Pub

Event At Sid's Place On Dec 13 Listed In TimeOut Magazine

Sponsored Tickets - Remembering The Homeless Strays For Christmas

Remembering The Homeless Strays At Sid's Pub

Malaysia's Shame Is Known Around The World

Our Cherating Holiday Story In The Star

Historic Victory For Wildlife

We Are Now On YouTube!

FFF WAD Celebrations At Bangsar Village

When Is Change Ever Going To Come To Malaysia?

KARE to open shelter for strays in Kuantan

Thieves Target Pedigree Pets In The Klang Valley

Lost Dog

Choose Your Vet Carefully

Our Cherating Holiday

Join Us On World Animal Day At Bangsar Village

In Loving Memory Of My Baby, Giddy Boy

Sarah Palin - A Dirty Politician Who Has Destroyed Much Of The Natural Beauty of Alaska

Dogs' Dream Vacation At Cherating

Sunway College Lecturers Teach Students To Love And Respect Animals

Dr. Dog's Third Examination

First Time In The Country An Entire Residents' Association Makes A Commitment To Animal Welfare

P.I. Bala Abandoned His Dogs

Foreign Workers In Malaysia Eating Puppies

Macaque monkey in captivity at Ming Tien foodcourt

World Animal Day October 4

Christian, The Lion Who Lived At Chelsea

Ugly, The Tomcat