According to Jacqueline Vincent, president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Kajang (SPCA Kajang), Ladybird was found hiding at a rubbish dump beside some bushes. She was very timid.
Feeling pity for her, Vincent took her in. A familiar red insect spotted on her fur inspired her name. Today, Ladybird lives at the SPCA Kajang shelter, a sanctuary for once-stray and abandoned dogs in the outskirts of Sungai Long.
For the past few years, Vincent and the shelter’s hardworking team have laboured tirelessly to look after these animals. Maintenance issues and rising costs, however, are almost crippling their noble efforts.
SPCA Kajang is about two to three acres wide and stands in the middle of thick jungle overgrowth, atop an old rugged hill. Its utilities are scarce: lights are provided by solar panels, and water obtained through makeshift pipes connected to a nearby waterfall.
According to Vincent, the shelter area previously belonged to an ‘Uncle Wu’, who also used it as a refuge for stray dogs. After his death, she took over, building up the shelter and formally registering it under SPCA Kajang in 2016.
The dogs here live in about 50 rooms around the shelter, each measuring about 3m x 3m. It’s already crowded now: with new additions arriving regularly.
“A lot of the dogs here are either left here as puppies, or as old dogs, who have become harder to care for. Some people think of shelters like ours as a dumping ground, where you can just abandon dogs when you don’t want them anymore. It’s sad. Dogs are like humans, they can suffer depression too,” said Vincent, a retired administrative secretary.
“I once saw a dog who was abandoned at a bus stop. And he waited there faithfully, hoping that his master would come back for him. At first, I didn’t want to take him in, hoping someone would return. But after some time, I knew it wasn’t going to happen. It was heartbreaking.”
Vincent and her team do their absolute best to ensure these dogs are cared for. They are fed twice a day, and vaccinated every year. All females are spayed, which can cost RM400-500 per dog, while males are neutered if they are too aggressive. The shelter also operates on a no-kill policy.
Every dog here has a story, and Vincent knows them all by name. There’s Mona, for instance, who was accidentally caught in a boar trap, and so only has three legs.
There’s Michael, previously abused and trapped in a factory. And Happy and Maddy, rescued by a kind lady who later joined their society.
The atmosphere here is mostly pleasant but finances are tight: according to Vincent, their monthly costs are about RM20,000, including rent and the employment of four workers. Most of their proceeds go toward a local veterinarian, who has been providing his services to them on credit.
Donations from SPCA Kajang’s friends and family only cover about RM3,000-RM4,000 monthly. The shelter does not receive funding from other SPCA branches, which are all set up and run independently from each other.
Previously, interest from Vincent’s investments, including her EPF savings, were enough to cover costs. Recent changes, however, including a downturn in the economy, mean these options are no longer viable.
The shortfall is currently covered by contributions from SPCA Kajang’s leaders, but it will not be long before this source also dries up.
The shelter is appealing for monetary donations now. Gifts of food, such as rice, chicken, kibble and eggs are also welcome: the shelter uses about 25 kg of rice every day to feed its resident dogs.
A further five kg of rice, together with other ingredients, are distributed daily to another 200 dogs, who live all around the area. The shelter does not have enough room to house them all.
Much of the shelter is also in disrepair. Heavy rain often leads to a buildup of mud, which clogs pipes and interrupts the water supply.
Vincent has long term dreams of a place where her dogs can live in peace, and prays to find a Good Samaritan willing to donate or provide a suitable piece of land for an animal sanctuary.
She also hopes to someday set up a foundation for animal rescuers nationwide. It will be named after her first dog Stribe, who inspired her great love of animals.
“Sadly, there is very little welfare out there taking care of stray dogs. And we need all the help we can get,” she said.
Donations for SPCA Kajang:
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Kajang (SPCA KAJANG)
AmBank Msia Bhd: 8881014237978
Contact: Jacqueline Vincent @ 019-2501708