Speaking to FMT, shelter manager Edward Lim said PAWS had recently been given a piece of land by the state’s land office.

He thanked Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali, Selangor exco Ean Yong Hian Wah and Petaling Jaya city councilor Sean Oon for the shelter finally getting a permanent location.

“I just met them a few days ago and the state has verbally agreed to give us a piece of land, also in Ara Damansara, near our present site.

“We are now just waiting for an official letter,” he said.

The piece of land to be granted to PAWS is 1.116 acres, estimated to be 50% bigger than its present 0.875 acres that it is occupying along the road to the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang airport).

PAWS’ present location is on a piece of land gazetted as a road reserve.

“Should the government decide to widen the road, it would take up the entire shelter.

“We are thankful that the state government has allowed us to stay here until we find a permanent place to relocate. Now, we’ve finally found that spot,” said Lim.

In November 2014, PAWS was faced with an eviction notice that almost got all its animals thrown out with nowhere to go.

The Selangor menteri besar intervened and suspended the eviction notice issued by the Petaling Jaya district land office, which had instructed the animal welfare society to move out within six days.

PAWS can currently provide shelter to 500 animals. At its new premises, it hopes to provide a more conducive environment for the animals.

“We will definitely be able to provide a more comfortable living space for the animals.

“Since we do not own the present land, we cannot build any additional permanent structures.

“Whatever we have now was built 30 years ago. We cannot knock it down to put up a new structure. Because the structure is old, maintenance is also very high.

“At the same time, we are sitting on what used to be an oil palm estate, so the water and sewage system are not proper.

“It just isn’t practical for us to dig up anything or redo the place,” he said.

PAWS hopes to build a multi-storey premises to house both animals and the facilities the animals may need at the new location.

“Although the new place is bigger than our current space, it still isn’t very big.

“With limited space, a multi-storey building is what we have in mind, just like the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) in Hong Kong.

“They had to build upwards due to land scarcity. So I believe we too can do what they have done,” he said.

As for building funds, Lim hopes to approach construction giants such as Sime Darby and YTL. He is also seeking generous contributions from the public.

An in-house crematorium for pets and parking lots are part of his future plans.

“As for the crematorium, we hope to work with the Petaling Jaya City Council for them to build or finance it and for us to manage it.”

“We are also hoping to have a clinic operating at our new premises.

“With an in-house clinic, we can save a lot on transportation time and the animals will not have to go through the stress of being transported to another location for treatment when the need arises.”

PAWS was founded in 1987 by a group of local and expatriate volunteers and was maintained through donations from various corporations, generous members of the public as well as from proceeds of merchandise sold at occasional animal-related or community events, organised by and for animal lovers.

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2014/11/19/azmin-ali-steps-in-to-stop-eviction-of-paws/