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CHIEF Minister Chow Kon Yeow has urged Penangites to be more compassionate in caring for strays as it is a collective effort to cope with the many canines and felines loitering around the state.
Chow said it is imperative that the residents here be driven with strong levels of compassion towards stray animals.
He said this at a fundraising dinner organised by the Independent Aid for Protection and Welfare of Animals (IAPWA) Penang at SJKC Shang Wu.
Chow said the presence of supporters at the dinner demonstrated that caring for animals in Penang was not a fringe concern but a shared responsibility.
“Compassion must go beyond feelings and become action. Your presence affirms that in Penang, caring for the voiceless is a collective duty,” he said.
Chow expressed his gratitude to IAPWA Penang’s staff, volunteers, veterinarians, and foster families, describing them as the backbone of the movement to care for the strays.
Since 2018, through its Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) and Rehome programme, IAPWA has helped over 7,800 dogs and successfully rehomed more than 1,000 household animals.
He noted that this approach allowed Penang to move away from culling.
“This proves that humane, science-based strategies can succeed when combined with expertise, empathy, and public will. Penang has shown what is possible when compassion is matched with strategy and commitment,” Chow said.
He also highlighted the plight of animal shelters, citing the 4PAWS shelter in Teluk Bahang, which houses hundreds of dogs but faces land-tenure uncertainty.
“Shelters are more than buildings; they are lifelines. Ensuring their continuity is both a moral duty and a practical necessity, and the state is working with stakeholders to address this."
He also urged the public to contribute in whatever ways they could, whether by donating, volunteering, fostering, adopting, or reporting abuse. - September 29, 2025.