PapanSouls seeks support for stray neutering programme

2026-03-05 - 23:23

As stray dogs often struggle to find their next meal, PapanSouls is on a mission to give them a better life. (PapanSouls pic) PETALING JAYA: Stray dogs are a common sight in many parts of Malaysia. For them, each day is a struggle to find food or shelter – or sometimes just to escape cruelty. For animal welfare groups such as PapanSouls, their lives matter. Based in Perak, this NGO feeds about 300 stray dogs daily at a landfill area close to Papan, and cares for another 120 at a nearby safe house. They also run trap-neuter-release (TNR) efforts. “Our neutering programme is aimed at reducing the stray dog population in Ipoh in a humane and sustainable way,” said PapanSouls vice-president Sarah Kennedy. Their initiative extends beyond the animals at the landfill and safe house. “We also work very closely with independent rescuers to identify areas with a high stray population, where neutering can have the greatest impact. “By neutering dogs within these communities, we can help prevent the birth of unwanted puppies and reduce the likelihood of them being caught by the local council,” the 31-year-old told FMT Lifestyle. PapanSouls collaborates with licensed veterinary clinics in Ipoh to carry out the procedures. “We prioritise the females. Sometimes, they are easier to catch – but more importantly, they are the ones that become pregnant and give birth to puppies.” The cost is approximately RM240 for a female dog, which covers the neutering procedure, a distemper test, tick prevention medication and vaccination. The cost for male dogs is RM10-RM20 lower. According to Kennedy, the team neutered 117 stray dogs in 2023, 133 in 2024 and 202 last year. They aim to reach between 250 and 350 dogs this year. Now, PapanSouls is inviting companies who wish to support its neutering programme as part of their corporate social responsibility efforts. The organisation is also appealing to individuals who wish to contribute. Sarah Kennedy and Keshturi Sivam are the vice-president and founder of PapanSouls, respectively. (PapanSouls pics) All contributions are tax-exempt. Additionally, companies will be recognised on PapanSouls’s social media platforms. A mission born in a landfill PapanSouls was founded in 2020 by Keshturi Sivam after she and a group of volunteers began feeding the strays at the landfill. Later that year, they set up a safe house for the more vulnerable animals – those that are elderly, disabled or ill. Sustaining this work, which relies heavily on public donations, hasn’t been easy. While neutering is their long-term solution to breaking the cycle of stray births, the team also needs financial support to cover monthly expenses of about RM50,000 for food, veterinary care and more. They are also working to establish the PapanSouls Sanctuary, a larger space that can house about 300 dogs. The plan is to eventually relocate the dogs at the safe house, as well as some from the landfill, to this new place. “We’re almost done – we’re currently finalising electrical installations and additional kennel work. That alone is going to cost us at least another RM100,000,” Kennedy shared. Despite the challenges, the team’s hard work has already changed the lives of many strays. Among them is Loki. Believed to have been abandoned at the landfill area, the PapanSouls team found him with his injured front limb wrapped with cloth, masking tape and rubber bands. Underneath, the wound was crawling with maggots. Life on the streets can be harsh for strays, so please consider supporting PapanSouls’s neutering programme. (PapanSouls pic) “We rushed him to a veterinary clinic. After weeks of care, he made a full recovery and today, he’s a very sweet and playful dog,” said Kennedy. Then there is Karupa. Also believed to have been abandoned, he was found extremely malnourished and painfully thin. His condition later deteriorated, and when he needed an immediate blood transfusion, Loki – who had fully recovered by then – became his donor. Stories like these remind the team why they continue their work – but they cannot do it alone. “We’re a very small group of volunteers who simply believe these dogs deserve compassion, dignity and a second chance at life,” Kennedy said. “Every donation, no matter how small, helps us continue feeding them, treating those that are sick, and neutering more dogs so fewer puppies are born into a life of suffering.” To support PapanSouls’s neutering programme, monthly operating costs or sanctuary project, donations can be made to: RHB Bank account 2580 4800 0123 71 under the name ‘Persatuan Prihatin Haiwan Terbiar Ipoh, Perak’ (PapanSouls’s registered name) PayPal: papansouls@gmail.com Email your transaction receipts to papansouls@gmail.com. For more information, contact 012-547 6324. Follow PapanSouls on Facebook and Instagram.