Dec Newsletter2005

ISSUE: Dec 2005

Administrator’s Notes

Greetings to all! It is so fast that we are now in December. Imagine how time flies!! I remember when I started my new year in January 05, I really scratched my head and thought hard if ever I would be able to run another Children’s camp this year as I was having a hard time looking for an Organising Chairman. Many, I have approached were not willing to stand in but would volunteer to sit in. Without any choice I had to do it again.

The camp has to go on as it is a continuing education. I am glad that over the last three years since the inception of our education camp, some parents have been sensible and willing to send their kids to learn more on responsible pet ownership rather than indulging into adopting or buying a pet on and impulse.

And here, our Hon. Sec. Dr. G.S.Gill was planning for a big fundraiser Charity Food Fair. I told him, you better search for a Secretary otherwise, I would not be able to cope with you as we have so many things going on. His threatening words were `I will not do it, if you are not in’. Reluctantly, I agreed but dragged my feet on forming a committee. Somehow, it was great. We managed to raise RM76,000 plus. This is the largest amount we have ever raised in history.

Thanks to all the lovely animal friends, who helped us in many, many ways.

We have introduced a section ‘Confessions of a Dog Owner’ for SPCA Animal Adoptees. If you would like to contribute by sharing with us your experience and joy you have or have had with your beloved pet, do write in. Also please provide us a photo of your pet and family.

LENG LILY

SPCA PENANG Office Bearers 2005 – 2006

CHAIRMAN

Dr Choong Sim Poey DJN, KMN, JP

VICE CHAIRMAN

Mr M. Ramanathan

HON. SECRETARY

Dr Gurdev Singh Gill PJK

HON. TREASURER

Mr Wong Wah Soon PJM

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Mrs Molly Kwong PJK

Ms Cynthia Ng

Mrs Diana E. Khoo

Mr John Shebat de Silva

Ms Agnes Cheah

Basic Training Classes

SPCA Member/Volunteer Rebecca Wickman would be starting a Basic Training classes beginning February 6^th, 2006 for dogs and their owners. These classes will be conducted in two sessions “Puppy Pre-School” for pups aged 8 – 16 weeks & “Puppy School” for pups aged 16 weeks – 6 months. Fees charged will be on a donation basis with proceeds going to the SPCA. For more information you can email Rebecca: mannersformutts@yahoo.com.au

March 2005: Mdm Molly Kwong presenting the trophy to Miss Neoh Siew Peng, Champion of the1^st Elocution Contest

June 2005: The Kids and their foster mummy at the Canine Station at the 3^rd Children’s Education Camp at Youth Park

January 2005: Launch of the ‘Paws 4 Thought’ Animal Awareness Campaign (Guang Ming Daily article)

August 2005: Youth Division ACPU One members at the launch of the Observation for Animals in Distress

October 2005: ACPU One at the World Animal Day Forum, “Animal Welfare from Religious Perspectives & the Law”

July 2005: Establishment of the SPCA Penang Youth Division

(Article from The Star)

The “Paws 4 Thought” Animal Awareness Campaign was officially launched on 22.01.05 by our Hon. Secretary Dr. G.S. Gill at The Actors Studio Greenhall, Light Street. This campaign was carried out for a duration of 3 months.

For the P4T Campaign, miscellaneous road shows were held. Booths were set up at the Mega Pavilion Cinema in Prangin Mall and the Weekend Bazaar at Gurney Plaza. We sold SPCA merchandise and most importantly provided useful tips and advise on animal welfare to the public. A team of volunteers and our Administrator also conducted several talks at selected primary schools. Response was particularly good from SK Convent Green Lane.

As part of the P4T Campaign, we organised our very first English Language Elocution Contest with lots of help from INTI International College Penang.

The P4T Campaign was officially closed. We organised a Fellowship Nite cum Buffet Dinner at the City Bayview Hotel. Some dances, songs and a comedy sketch performed by Mr. Daniel Boon, Mark Beau and his team entertained the guests.

We organised our 3rd Children’s Education Camp at the MPPP Youth Park with 200 children participating. It rained at mid-day but the kids had a great time.

We officially established our Youth Division as a branch of the Society to “keep in touch” with the young ones. So far, one unit has been opened in IPG College and they have organised some Observations for Animals in Distress, set up an editiorial team for our newsletter “Paw Penned Thoughts” and had several mini fund raising activities.

Our Hon. Secretary chaired our Charity Food Fair that was held at Uplands International School, Jalan Kelawei. This event was highly successful as the Society managed to rake RM76,000. We thank everyone involved for the tremendous efforts put in.

The Youth Division organised a public forum at the YMCA in conjunction with World Animal Day. The panel of speakers featured Dr. Talhah Md. Idrus (Islam), Rev. Palande Suseela Thero (Buddhism), Mr Hoe (Enforcement Unit of the State Vet. Dept.) and ASP Vijay representing the Police Force. Together with the audience, we discussed the topic “Animal Welfare from Religious Perspectives and the Law”

A Matter of Sugar, Spice and Salt – Confessions of a Dog Owner

By Rajpal Singh

I am Oxygen’s Daddy. Oxygen is my pet dog, which I adopted from the SPCA or rather from the RSPCA, as it was then known. However, the decision to keep a pet dog was not an easy one for me. The first thing was clarifying our motives for wanting to keep a dog, or rather my motives as Oxygen’s future Mummy was dead against the whole idea. Before she married Oxygen’s Daddy, she had gone through several dogs in her own family and knew in practical terms what a big responsibility pet ownership entailed.

On the other hand, my understanding of responsibility for pets was mainly theoretical, as I had never really kept a pet before. So, while I thought in terms of play, companionship and a security alarm, my wife gave me the cold facts. In fact, she smothered my enthusiasm with a pretty wet towel! She lectured me that dogs are not all sugar and spice. They need care, and they need caring.

In her inimitable long-winded way, she waxed hysterical – they need time, exercise, medical care, regular meals, annual dog licences, routine visits to the vet, they have to be kenneled during holidays, they need regular baths, they mean more expenses…the list was a mile long. I swore that I would do all that but of course she knew me better than to trust my promises! The crux of her argument was that I lacked the discipline and staying power to maintain any sort of long-term relationship! My enthusiasm would just fizzle out she said.

Anyway, to cut a long story short – though man disposes, what God proposes will prevail. My wife, soon to be Oxy’s Mummy agreed! The way I look at it, Oxygen was fated for us and nothing is willed by the gods without a way already prepared for it. In retrospect, I think our squabbles were actually a blessing in disguise as we were able to talk through the issues with regards to keeping a pet.

The next thing we had to decide was the breed, the gender, the age and from where to source the dog. Stubborn as usual, the wife was sure she wanted a female dog which she claimed were more homely or protective of the hearth, besides being more discreet and environment–friendly when doing their toiletries. To me she was just trying to tilt the balance of power against me in the house. Anyway, gender politics aside, a female dog was okay by me and the added expense of neutering was not an issue. Lose the battle, win the war!

Next, we both wanted a mongrel. We were sure we did not want a pedigree dog as being simple folks ourselves we thought it wouldn’t do to saddle ourselves with a creature way above our own station in life! Also, our pre-conception was that mixed-breed dogs are a hardier lot. Perhaps, they were not so prone to ailments. Then too, we thought it wise to take in a puppy so that we wouldn’t have to reckon with an older dog with pre-conceived ideas. Best to start with a clean slate!

Finally, we wanted a dog from the RSPCA and from no where else because their dogs needed a home. We knew that the RSPCA’s dogs are screened for their fitness for adoption, and that they come with a signed responsibility to care or else…! I did not balk at the challenge but welcomed it, including the spot check that RSPCA Inspectors would make on the welfare of the pet. Little did we know then that we were in for infinitely more than we could imagine! But more of that later.

We made several trips to the RSPCA over a period of about 2-3 months. At that time the SPCA was located in Fettes Park. Our intention was not to return home with a pet but to see for ourselves what was on offer and to consult with the Administrator regarding terms and procedures. Having already resolved to keep a pet dog, we kept the actual adoption on the back burner. In between visits, we read up on dog books, particularly on caring for puppies, vaccinations, booster doses, toilet training, how to settle in a dog in a new environment and how to properly take a puppy back to its new home in the car. We must have done a pretty good job of it as Oxygen’s biggest passion in life is car rides!

One fine day, we visited the pound to take another look at a litter of pups we had seen on a previous visit. One of them in that kennel stood out from the rest, full of spirit, clamoring for attention and nominating herself for adoption! The feelings were mutual. The wife seconded the nomination and the rest is family history. It was love at last after many visits to the RSPCA.

Though all dogs are worthy of love, I believe that fate had a hand in our choice. I call it karma. As it turned out, this one was meant for us. I signed the adoption papers, paid the fee and listened to the advise from the Administrator. With formalities over, we packed the two month old pup in the back seat with her new Mummy keeping an eye on her adopted daughter who behaved herself all the way home. I named her Oxygen for her zest and spirit. It is now 13 years since that fateful day. Oxygen has aged gracefully over the years and (touch wood) is still sprightly at the age of 13. She is our best friend and confidante.

Oxygen has enriched our lives with her love, empathy and friendship. On our part, through cultivating understanding, close interaction and respect for her, we have forged a bond with Oxygen that we cherish as among the most precious experiences in our lives. We had not reckoned that our small intention of keeping a pet would be reciprocated in such big measure. Happily, we were in for more than we had imagined.

She has given us insights, awed us with her prescience, amused us with her quirks, touched us with her patience and humbled us with her intelligence. It is a relationship that cannot be adequately communicated through words but one that has to be experienced to be appreciated. And we know that there are so many dog lovers out there who have their own wonderful testimonies to relate of their own beloved four-footed friends.

In that respect, though Oxygen is very special to us, she is by no means unique. Many dog owners who share a caring relationship with their pets would tell you of the blessings that the canines have brought into their homes and lives. As for me, Oxygen is my inspiration for which I thank God. And I also give thanks for the SPCA, other animal welfare organizations as well as concerned individuals around the world who are doing their bit to care for all creatures, big and small.

We wish to remind the following to renew their membership. Your contribution will indeed help us carry on and provide whatever needed for the animals in the state.

Selling merchandise is one way of raising funds to keep us going. If you are keen to contribute in designing our T-shirts, please keep us in touch.

We are again gearing up to set up an organising committee for our next children’s camp. Come and have fun and help us organise it. Email or call us if you like to serve in this committee. Any proposals and suggestions are much welcome!

Field Inspector - Matured person with minimum qualification: From Five. Must have the ability to handle animals and has interest in animal welfare. Preferably with a driving licence.

Admin Assistant - Minimum qualification: Form Five. Diploma and Degree holders are encouraged to apply. Must have interest in animal welfare and the ability to handle animals as well.

We have been flooded with demands to receive unwanted animals daily. Unfortunately, the Shelter is self-limiting.We need land and money to be able to move to a purpose built shelter. We are looking around for a philanthropist who could provide us land for at least an acre.

We have started reconstructing our large cattery which is costing us approximately RM30,000. This cattery will contain 12 units cattery of various sizes and we are looking for sponsors to donate RM2,000 for each unit. For each unit sponsored a plaque would be made. The donor would be allowed to display either the following:

For more details, kindly contact us. We hope to hear from all animal friends. Thank you.