GEORGE TOWN, May 22 — The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) is planning to introduce a trap-neuter-release (TNR) programme to curb the growing stray cat population on the island...
Penang Island City Council plans to expand its animal welfare efforts with a proposed trap-neuter-release programme for stray cats and new animal sanctuaries. — AFP file pic!
Plus, enjoy an additional FREE RM10 when you sign up using code VERSAMM10 with a min. cash-in of RM100 today. T&Cs apply. GEORGE TOWN, May 22 — The Penang Island City Council is planning to introduce a trap-neuter-release programme to curb the growing stray cat population on the island following the success of a similar initiative for stray dogs.
MBPP Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the move is necessary as the number of stray cats has been increasing, especially around wet markets and public eateries.
“We can see them in these places, people are simply releasing their cats,” he told reporters after the signing of a memorandum of understanding with IAPWA to extend the collaboration for another five years at the Town Hall here today. He said another way to combat the abandonment of pets, both cats and dogs, which has contributed to the rise in stray animals, is through the introduction of mandatory microchipping for pets.
“This is because we see a lot of owners would just release their pets and we do not want this to happen, so those who sell pets, they have to make sure the animals are chipped so that we can identify the owners if these pets are found in the streets,” he said. He said the move is not meant to be punitive but aimed at encouraging greater responsibility among pet owners.
“We do not want to go after them, we want them to be more responsible and to reduce the strays in the streets,” he said. At the same time, Rajendran said the city council will open a cat sanctuary on a 1.2ha site in Batu Ferringhi. He said there is currently a private cat sanctuary in the area that has drawn complaints because it is located near residential neighbourhoods.
“So, we are setting one up which will be fully run by volunteers and we also plan to set up a veterinary clinic that is fully operated by volunteers so that the fees are lower,” he said. He said one reason pets are abandoned is the high cost of veterinary treatment, adding that an affordable clinic could help reduce abandonment cases.
The cat sanctuary is expected to open by the end of the year, while plans for the clinic are still underway. Meanwhile, MBPP has also identified a 0.8ha site in Paya Terubong to be developed into a dog sanctuary.
“We realised that some dogs taken in under the TNR programme are too wild to be released so we needed a place to house them,” he said. He said aggressive or feral dogs would be housed at the sanctuary to prevent them from posing a danger to the public.
“We will be able to house about 2,000 dogs in the sanctuary so this will significantly reduce the number of stray dogs in the streets,” he said. He added that MBPP hopes to drastically reduce the stray population over the next five to 10 years, with the long-term aim of achieving zero strays.
“Our only problem now are the dogs in the hills and plantations in the hills that were not neutered,” he said. He said the terrain made it difficult to trap the dogs and urged plantation owners to help bring them in for neutering. Earlier, MBPP signed a new memorandum of understanding with the Independent Aid for Protection and Welfare of Animals Penang to continue its TNR programme for stray dogs.
Almost 8,500 stray dogs have been neutered under the programme since 2018, with the city council maintaining a zero-kill policy since then.
Penang Island Trap-Neuter-Release Datuk A. Rajendran Cat Sanctuary IAPWA Penang
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Penang Achieves 85% Progress in Implementing Age-Friendly City InitiativePenang Island has recorded an overall progress of 85% implemention progams and projects under the Age-Friendly City Penang Island (AFCPI) Strategic Action Plan as of the end of 2025, stated Penang State Assembly member Lim Siew Khim. The progress measured against WHO framework covers eight key domains which are aimed at creating a more inclusive and accessible city for the elderly. The domains include outdoor spaces and buildings, transport, housing, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and information, and community support and health services. Various initiatives such as community programmes, workshops, senior citizen centres and job opportunities have contributed to the progress in these domains. The state has also achieved completion of the WHO Cycle one under the AFC initiative. The progress will play a crucial role in introducing new regulations to enforce un registered childcare centres and care homes starting from March 1, 2027. The Penang Women's Development Corporation will continue to monitor the progess and provide recommendations to improve the implementation of the initiative.
Read more »
Penang LRT deal thoroughly vetted despite single-source RFP, says govtTransport ministry tells why SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd was awarded the project's Package 1 contract through a 'single-source request for proposal'.
Read more »
MOT defends single‑sourcing RFP for Penang Mutiara Line LRT, cites legal and technical reasonsPUTRAJAYA, May 21 — Every decision regarding the Penang Mutiara Line LRT project is made based on careful technical, legal and fiscal considerations to ensure that the people of...
Read more »
Police: Nearly two million vehicles expected to flood Penang during long May 27 to June 2 breakGEORGE TOWN, May 22 — Penang is expected to see approximately 1.9 million vehicles enter and pass through the state during the back-to-back public holidays from May 27 to June...
Read more »