State local government, town and country planning committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye said while no decision has been made yet, the land currently occupied by 4PAWS is under lease until 2030.

The organisation is currently working to raise funds to purchase the site.

“In February and March, 4PAWS, through its manager Yan Naung Thet, also known as Murugan, approached the state government and the Penang Island City Council to seek aid to extend his stay in Malaysia, allowing him to continue volunteering at the shelter.

“At that time, 4PAWS founder Barbara Janssen was unwell, and discussions centred solely on ensuring continuity of shelter operations, not on the lease issue,” Bernama quoted him as saying.

H’ng was responding to SAFM’s call for the state government to intervene and help resolve the land dispute affecting the shelter

Earlier, Murugan told FMT that the shelter houses more than 700 dogs from all over Penang island as well as from the mainland. Many are sick or hurt from accidents, or were abandoned or dumped by their owners.

The organisation has been given until the end of this month to decide whether it can purchase the land at the price of RM2.2 million.

SAFM has appealed to chief minister Chow Kon Yeow to urgently allocate permanent land to ensure the shelter’s continued operations.

H’ng said 4PAWS is a non-governmental organisation providing sanctuary to stray dogs in Teluk Bahang.

The shelter has also contributed to MBPP’s efforts to manage the stray dog population by caring for animals that have been vaccinated, neutered and made available for adoption.

“4PAWS is not registered with the local authorities as the registration of animal shelters falls under the jurisdiction of the veterinary services department and animal welfare board,” he said.