I’ve often avoided these publicity functions unless I can contribute in some useful ways, so when Wani and KTAJ invited me to be present for the press conference this evening, I asked in what way my presence would be useful. Wani said it was to show support and solidarity of the many animal welfare NGOs.
Alright, for that purpose, I’ll go.
The reporters were there.
It was a full hall.
Many of the pet-owners whose pets had been victims of this scam were present. Others were concerned animal lovers who had come to offer support.
The representatives of the invited NGOs were seated in front.
(for target practice?!!)
When KTAJ’s Bella narrated the whole rescue mission and how some cats and kittens were found dead, many members of the audience wept. It was really, really sad and tragic.
I had earlier on spoken to this lady in black. Her cats were boarded at this place too, but she had not sent the cats to the vet. I urged her to do it as soon as possible. Apparently, many of the owners had not sent their cats to the vet yet. Many reported that their cats were still very traumatised. Well, who wouldn’t be if you were kept in a small carrier or cage for 7-9 days without food and water and you were made to sit in your pee and poo, and worse of all, you were trapped and had no way of escaping?
The pet owners were told to make a police report, not for animal cruelty, but for cheating, ie. they were cheated by this pet boarding house. Animal cruelty would be under the DVS. Cheating would make it a police case. The penalty for the latter might well be heavier. Sad if you think about it, that cheating is considered more serious than cruelty which has caused death (and why? Because it’s just an animal, or in this case, 300 over animals?).
The SPCA suggested that instead of the RM200 fine, why not push for a RM60,000 fine (300 X RM200). Great suggestion there, but is that possible? Is this considered as one crime or 300 crimes? This would depend on how the law works.
Many of the pet-owners and animal lovers were grateful that the cats had been rescued. However, emotions ran high after awhile and a few people went on an accusatory tone, saying that the NGOs had not done much to help.
A man, whose pet was also a victim (but is now safe), accused the NGOs of having not done enough to help in this case. He said we were just here at the press conference for the glamour. I guess he did not know some of us were working at the scene while others were working behind the scenes, but all of us were working together in our capacities to help on that fateful day.
He then said animal abuse is not new in this country and asked why the NGOs had not done anything to curb it. I guess he did not know that NGOs are not the law makers nor even the law enforcers. Only the DVS and the government bodies can make laws and enforce them. He got very emotional, so I doubt any explanation would have been able to pacify him.
He then said animal abuse is not new in this country and asked why the NGOs had not done anything to curb it. I guess he did not know that NGOs are not the law makers nor even the law enforcers. Only the DVS and the government bodies can make laws and enforce them. He got very emotional, so I doubt any explanation would have been able to pacify him.
NGOs can only help in their own capacities.
For example, AnimalCare is a medical fund for stray animals. In this boarding house tragedy, the first thing I did when contacted by KTAJ was to offer medical aid for all the sick cats. I told the rescuers to send the cats to the nearest possible vet or the vet in PJ and Kinrara (who were open on Sundays). The rescuers said they were short of funds and I assured them we will subsidise and take care of the bill first while they try to locate the owners. I even spoke to one of the nearby vets whom they had initially wanted to send the cats to. I also made arrangements with the vet at Kinrara to receive the cats. Finally, it was decided the rescuers would send the sick cats to the vet in PJ since it had the facilities for emergencies.
I was right there when the first 6 cats came to the vet and I was helping inside the examination room itself. Then, when KTAJ said another cat needed medical attention, I had already arranged for our panel vet to be on standby at night and I was there again at the vet’s to wait for their arrival. The offer for medical aid for all the sick cats was made the moment I was alerted of the incident, because that is what we can do.
All day I was blogging the unfolding of the events, asking for help and volunteers and giving out information…until almost 2am. Fosterers started writing in to volunteer and I directed them to KTAJ.
That is our role, as a medical fund and an education channel for cultivating compassion towards animals, and we helped in that capacity.
That is our role, as a medical fund and an education channel for cultivating compassion towards animals, and we helped in that capacity.
I hope the public understands that animal welfare NGOs cannot make or enforce new laws. We have no power to do that. We can only help in whatever ways we can and each of us play a certain role. Some are rescuers, some are shelters, some are medical funds (like us). None of us can make or enforce any law – that would be the government’s job.
More so, if we are a registered society bound by a constitution. There are boundaries we cannot cross because it would be against the law.
Sometimes I hear the public lambasting existing shelters for not carrying out rescue work. Shelters are shelters. They do not provide rescue aid or pick-up services for strays. But the public doesn’t understand this. They think animal welfare NGOs must do everything for animal welfare.
In running AnimalCare, I receive requests every single day, and it covers everything from picking up stray animals, looking for homes, asking for medical aid, to even transporting animals to designated destinations. I have to redirect some requests which we cannot fulfil, to the proper channels. For those that have no where to be redirected to, I blog for help.
In the area of initiating change in legislation, NGOs can only write petitions and letters to the authorities, as many do. On this, we need the support of the public because there is greater strength in numbers.
So, we continue to help in every way possible.
More so, if we are a registered society bound by a constitution. There are boundaries we cannot cross because it would be against the law.
Sometimes I hear the public lambasting existing shelters for not carrying out rescue work. Shelters are shelters. They do not provide rescue aid or pick-up services for strays. But the public doesn’t understand this. They think animal welfare NGOs must do everything for animal welfare.
In running AnimalCare, I receive requests every single day, and it covers everything from picking up stray animals, looking for homes, asking for medical aid, to even transporting animals to designated destinations. I have to redirect some requests which we cannot fulfil, to the proper channels. For those that have no where to be redirected to, I blog for help.
In the area of initiating change in legislation, NGOs can only write petitions and letters to the authorities, as many do. On this, we need the support of the public because there is greater strength in numbers.
So, we continue to help in every way possible.
But it is typical of humans to conveniently point fingers when things go wrong.
What’s important is that we each know what we have done to help in this tragedy, in our own capacity, as best we can.
This lady was very sweet and diplomatic.
The reporters wanted our contacts.
I just hope they report the facts accurately. I’ve been misquoted before in the press, and I’ve learnt that sometimes, it might be better to keep quiet at these press conferences and say my piece in my own blog lest you be misquoted and misunderstood!
Speak, only when useful. Otherwise, it’s better to DO.
I’m still looking for the owners of the 3 cats boarded at the PJ vet. I hope they turn up and claim their cats real soon. The 3 cats must miss them very much. I asked Bella and she said no one has asked for those cats yet.
Meanwhile, we shall continue helping in whatever ways we can.
Note: Many thanks to Koo, for the photos.
Comments
9 responses to “The press conference (Cruelty at the boarding house)”
bless you Dr for your compassion and kindness to all sentient beings. especially the helpless.the least I can do is send you a small cheque for your selfless work and will do that ASAP.may all beings be free from suffering.
shanti,
angie
'Sometimes I hear the public lambasting existing shelters for not carrying out rescue work. Shelters are shelters. They do not provide rescue aid or pick-up services for strays. But the public doesn't understand this. They think animal welfare NGOs must do everything for animal welfare.'
I really like this quote of yours. People who sit in front of the computer typing and pointing fingers at NGOs saying they did nothing should probably start to understand that most, if not all who work with NGOs are volunteers. Meaning, they use their spare time (after working hours like everyone of us) doing all the labour and emotional intensive work with no pay. The only compensation they get is when an animal is being saved and people appreciate their work. Is it so hard to understand that?
I've only volunteered for several months, not even doing the first hand rescue work, but I'm starting to feel that I'm emotionally drained off. Seeing the suffering and worries (of the rescuers) on an almost daily basis makes me very sad – I know this when I realise I'm starting to talk a lot because that's how I remove my stress. Volunteers have feelings too. It's so easy to point and say NGOs are not doing the job – with the fact that they are already trying their best. Ask yourself, what have you done?
P/S: Tweeting, Facebook-ing, sending an email, etc really doesn't make anyone a 'rescuer'. A rescuer rescues, from the beginning until the end.
Thats right the police report should cite cheating and fraud, coz if the cat(s) owner(s) later want to commence a civil suit, they can then go against the operators of Petknode as well as the company (assuming Petknode is a company). Else going just against the company wont be much help as the operators will and can just let the company be wound up.
My wife was one of the volunteers that showed up at Petknode last night to feed, clean, and calm some of the cats. She was at the press conference earlier this afternoon and was so upset by the pet owner who questioned where the volunteers were before last night. Such a selfish, selfish man! They saved his cat yet he wasn't grateful at all. The volunteers even took up a collection to buy food and water for the cats. Volunteer means to give of one's time and resources without expectation of repayment. The answer to people like this fellow is to prepare an invoice for him on the spot and to charge him not just for the material aid provided to his animal, but for all of the inconvenience caused to the volunteer, as well as all of the tears cried over his animal and the cost to mend the volunteer's broken heart over the animal's pain and suffering. These last two would be priceless and the volunteer would be forced to take the animal from the owner since there is no way in the world that he could pay the debt owed. Maybe that would have been the best possible outcome for the cat belonging to this particular selfish owner…?
This brainless, selfish cat owner should ask himself the BIG question why he was negligent to do his homework before surrendering his precious cat to these scoundrels, i.e. why did he not check up on actual testimonials, investigate the place to see for himself where and how his cat would be boarded and cared for by observing the conditions in the actual place, including the cages, the food and water bowls (what food given, how clean or stale and dirty the contents of the water/food bowls), the smell of poo and urine in the area, the overall hygiene, etc, and also the way the quality of the boarding workers and owners, their attitudes, how clean they themselves are (look at their dressing and own cleanliness) as well as how they conduct themselves. Observe carefully the condition of the animals there and how many there are per square metre. How well ventilated is the place?
Brainless and selfish cat owner, be thankful your cat is alive, appreciate the help and kindness of others towards your cat.
Use your brain before opening your mouth!
KTAJ, AnimalCare, all volunteers and vets, thank you and God bless you all!
I think many of the cat owners have not sent their sick pets to the vets because they cannot afford it. I suspect many (not all) of these cat owners are actually not well off, that is why they were attracted by the cheap rates offered. Also, I think many of them are not well-educated and well-informed people, that is why they never bothered to investigate the place and conditions and were so trusting of the sweet words. Read how this company was introduced by well-meaning members at the Petfinder forum threads and how easily people picked them up and supported their services in a gullible way, offering all sorts of kind advices to the scoundrels and encouraging them in their business. So very trusting and member-member-like, without even knowing what kind of people they really are, the forumers cheered them on for 2 years … and now the great tragedy. Go read the Petknode threads at Petfinder forum.
Thank you to all those who had helped the poor babies. I did not sent my cats to the "hotel" but was there at the PC. Yes, the event was highly charged and for some of us, the emotions got the better of us. The gentleman who lambasted the NGOs were out of order IMHO but I believe he just could not hold his emotion/anger and had to lash out and the panel was the easier target being in front of him. So please don't judge him too harshly. Another question which was a bit insensitive (IMHO again) is when someone asked why people sent their cats for boarding and did not check. I believe, some of them did check and some had been return customers so maybe there is some truth that the workers bolted and left the cats high and dry. I don't know. I am more concerned about the health of the surviving cats and whether there are others kept elsewhere.
While many are putting all the effort possible for all these innocent victims (cats), I'm surprise and do not understand why some of these cats are still not claimed by owners who should have more concern about their cats than anyone else. All cats should have been claimed by now unless one was unable to do so physically, even then can approach relevant parties by email sms or calls, with everyone at least having a mobile phone with them .It makes me wonder does one actually check on their cats when they send for boarding.I pet sit my friend's dogs and cats when she goes away , but we communicate with each other on the updates about her pets, which one ate which one was around, which one refuse to eat and so on. A day do not go by without the updates about her pets. All pet owners should have the same concern about their pets when they are away.
Thank you for all volunteers & NGOs for the great job! It's really sad this could happened… :((