Mayor orders 'cat hotel' to cease operations

By Nadirah H. Rodzi, Koi Kye Lee and Michael Murthy

KUALA LUMPUR - Petknode Cat Boarding centre in Damansara Damai has been ordered to stop operating with immediate effect for allegedly starving more than 200 cats at its premises.

Petaling Jaya City Council mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman said the council would not hesitate to blacklist the two male owners of the centre.

"They have been operating without permit since January last year as their permit expired on Dec 31, 2009. Even when they had one, it was meant only to sell cat food.

"We are investigating the matter and will not hesitate to ban them from applying for a permit as the offence committed is serious. Adequate action will be taken against them."

Selangor Veterinary Services Department director Dr Abdul Latiff Borhan, when contacted, said a dead kitten had been found in a chiller inside the centre's premises when two officers went for inspection.

"We are conducting a post-mortem on the kitten and a cat to determine the cause of death. The results could lead us to something.

"We are also looking at a maximum sentence so that the owners will not be able to operate any more. Right now, we are focusing on gathering information and proof so that we can drag them to court," Latiff said.

On Sunday, after failing to get in touch with the owners, more than 20 pet owners broke into the centre and found 12 cats dead after the animals were left there for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Merdeka Day break.

The group also rescued some 100 cats and a dog at the centre, and another 100 cats were found at a location in Sungai Buloh on the same day.

In Putrajaya, Veterinary Services Department director-general Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin said the Animal Welfare Act was set to be introduced next year.

"We have been working with animal activists under the Malaysia Animal Welfare Council and are in the process of drafting the bill.

"It is important for the public to be aware of the rights and welfare of animals," he said at a press conference yesterday.

Aziz said under the act, any individuals found to have committed an offence would be fined not more than RM100,000 or jailed for six months, or both.

He also said the department would work closely with the local councils.

"Premises housing pets will be checked regularly every three to four months and officers will be sent for these inspections."

Meanwhile, some 500 people gathered at a press conference organised by PAWS Malaysia and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals yesterday to express their frustration.

Founder of Save a Stray, Jacqueline Tsang, 57, said one of the main mistakes made by pet owners is not checking out the pet boarding facilities beforehand.