PENANG Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow reaffirmed the state’s commitment to animal welfare, calling on all parties to turn compassion into action during a fundraising dinner organised by the Independent Aid for Protection and Welfare of Animals (IAPWA) Penang at SJKC Shang Wu in George Town this evening.
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 feeling 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, feeders, veterinarians, and foster families, describing them as the backbone of the movement.
“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 locally and abroad,” he said.
He noted that this approach allowed Penang Island to move away from culling, a milestone both moral and practical.
“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.
Touching on recent incidents, Chow recalled the disturbing cases on Penang Hill in July, where animals were found dead under suspicious circumstances, as well as the tragic case of Hero, the stray dog trapped on a rooftop in August.
“While Hero’s rescue ended in sorrow, the immediate response from volunteers, rescue teams, and citizens revealed our best instincts, which is to act swiftly and decisively,” he said, stressing the need for better enforcement, preparedness, and rescue coordination.
Chow also commended IAPWA’s bold step in offering a RM50,000 reward for credible tip-offs leading to the prosecution of animal abusers.
He said this initiative empowered the public and reinforced the message that cruelty would not be tolerated.
“Under the Penal Code and the Animal Welfare Act 2015, offenders face strict penalties. But laws are only effective when cases are reported, investigated, and prosecuted. Public vigilance remains essential,” he added.
Chow also further 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 said.
He also urged the public to contribute in whatever ways they could, whether by donating, volunteering, fostering, adopting, or reporting abuse.
“Each donation, each hour of service, each credible tip brings us closer to a safer, kinder Penang,” he said.
Chow also thanked IAPWA Penang for its leadership and the community for standing with the voiceless.
“Together, we can strengthen laws with education, pair compassion with capacity, and make the vision of a culling-free, compassionate Penang a reality,” he said.
Also present were Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng Soon Siang, Seri Delima assemblyman Connie Tan Hooi Peng and IAPWA Penang president Choong Koon Yean.
Meanwhile, Choong said IAPWA Penang was established on Oct 24, 2017.
“In March 2018, our Trap-Neuter-Release/Rehome programme was launched via a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Penang Island City Council (MBPP), and since then, not a single free-roaming dog has been killed by our city council.
“Over the past 7.5 years, more than 7,700 dogs have been neutered and over 1,000 rehomed into loving families.
“These are not just numbers. They are lives saved, suffering prevented, and second chances given. They are proof of what is possible when a community chooses compassion over cruelty.
“This journey has only been possible because MBPP dared to lead with courage, because our supporters believed in us, and because our small but tireless team gave their all. To each of you, I offer my deepest gratitude,” she said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Alissala Thian