SPCA Penang
Welcome to our November 2023 Newsletter!

Dear Members & Friends,

Good greetings to all!

Dog Blood Donors

We often get SOS calls from pet owners requiring a donation of blood from our shelter dogs to help save their pet which is under treatment at a clinic and in need of blood urgently. Our shelter animals are here temporarily with the hope for rehoming and not meant to be utilized for such purpose.

With consultation from our Hon. Vet , we are given to understand that there are more than 12 blood groups in pet dogs, and each pet dog's red blood cells may carry a combination of any of these 12 blood groups.

Blood groups are determined by the presence or absence of certain antigens (proteins and sugars) on the red blood cell membrane. Normally dogs do not have antibodies against any of the antigens present on their own red blood cells or against other canine blood group antigens unless they have been previously exposed to them by transfusion. However, antibodies against antigens found in other dogs can occasionally be present without any prior exposure. More importantly within the 12 blood types is a specific type called Dog Erythrocyte Antigen (DEA) 1.1.

Approximately 40% of dogs are positive for DEA 1.1, meaning that they have that antigen on their red blood cells. If a dog is DEA 1.1-negative and is given DEA 1.1-positive blood, it may develop antibodies that rapidly destroy the red blood cells if a second DEA 1.1-positive transfusion is given. By selecting donor animals that lack DEA 1.1 or that match the recipient, the risk of sensitizing the recipient can be minimized. A DEA 1.1-positive dog may receive either positive or negative blood

The most serious risk of transfusion is acute destruction of red blood cells, usually caused by a previously formed antibody to DEA 1.1, or to another antigen. This acute destruction of red blood cells will be fatal to your pet dog that is receiving the donor blood if the blood has not been cross matched.

We understand that to be able to allow a dog to donate blood, it must be tested first before being allowed to donate. We have no blood group testing kits. Like with humans, if a wrong blood type is given to the dog it can be fatal as its immune system will destroy the new blood. So before a blood transfusion is carried out, a major crossmatch test is needed to ascertain compatibility of donor and the recipient. To be able to qualify as a dog donor, the dog needs to be healthy, free from any diseases/parasites and larger in size, also a full blood test of the donor dog has to be carried out routinely to ensure the donor dog does not have anemia nor any blood borne disease. Sadly, we are unable to conduct this as we do not prepare our dogs as blood donors.

However we are happy to make an appeal on our social media for a donor for your dog, so feel free to message us details on our facebook or instagram page. Please include the clinic where the dog is, plus a phone number for the clinic and the dog's name.

Adoption is a Promise

After a long journey, our dog Domino that was adopted and transported to Germany, reached his owner safely and is now in good hands. We are indeed happy to be updated with many photos of Domino (now named Charlie) having a good time with his owner. Thanks to all who helped make it possible!

In October, we had seven dogs and three cats adopted. As usual, our kennels are now filled up and requests for bringing in more dogs has to be stalled.

Here's Domino, now Charlie, in Germany with his owner:

Dalat International School Fun Day

Our volunteers from Dalat School had a fun time showcasing our pups at their school to create awareness on pet adoption.

Bella and Minnie at the event:

Activities & Happenings at the Shelter

Any contribution in service is always appreciated. We welcome any who would like to support in any form.

Things volunteers can do regularly:

1. Sweep the compound & clean drains in the exercise area.

2. Socialise with animals at the pound.

3. Sweep & clean outsude the SPCA compound.

4. Cattery: cleaning, change litter boix, clean walls & floor tiles.

5. Kennels: clean wall tiles.

6. Pull out weeds & plants at side walls & drains.

7. Help take photographs/videos of animals at the shelter.

8. Clean feeding bowls.

9. Clean windows of office building & animal ambulance.

Things volunteers can do occasionally if required:

1. Updating boards of animals.

2. Bring dogs inside to change collars, etc.

3. Dog bathing.

4. Clear leaved from gutters.

5. Painting - for adults only.

6. Grooming of animals - clean ears, etc.

Our thanks to all the students from the following educational institutions and staff of IdealVision who have served at the shelter in the last month.

Students from Segi College:

Thanks to UOWMKDU students for their fundraising event:

Visit from Wawasan Open University students:

One Academy students:

Ideal Vision employees on their CSR visit:

World Kindness Day - November 13

In conjunction with World Kindness Day, SPCA together with Teratak Spa outlet in Penang has collaborated to create awareness on the plight of abused and neglected animals. Let’s show kindness by encouraging all to consider adopting a cat or dog from shelters instead of buying. To adopt, please visit our adoption galleries of cats & dogs at: www.spca-penang.net

Teratak Spa will donate 2% of the proceeds from its Penang outlet sales through to November 23 to the SPCA. All members, supporters and friends of the SPCA are eligible to claim a RM50 spa cash voucher by scanning the QR Code provided below.

SPCA Digital Calendars 2024

We have decided not to print Desktop Calendars for 2024 due to an increase in printing costs and difficulty in marketing to the public.

But fear not, we have developed three designs of digital calendars. We can send to you electronically and you may distribute “as is” free of charge to friends/family/customers/etc, but for a minimum donation of RM50 for the single page designs and RM500 for the full 13 page design, we will customize the artwork using photos you provide. Text can be modified, but we will retain our logo and “SPCA Penang” on the artwork to help promote our shelter and create awareness. All funds received for donations for the calendar customization will be channeled to our neutering fund and a tax exempt receipt will be issued for all monetary donations.

Some thumbnails below but you can find full details here https://spca-penang.net/2024-digital-calendars/ - all enquiries to photos@spca-penang.net please.

We're happy to answer any of your questions.

SPCA Team

Volunteer Briefing

Our next volunteer briefing will be held on Saturday 18^th November. Time: 9.30 a.m. sharp at the SPCA premises.

Our Wish List

Our paws are indeed happy and appreciate the donations of pet food brought in. We say 'Thank you' for the noble deed. One will never go wrong in donating pet food items to the shelter as food is greatly needed daily to feed the animals.

Thank you

SPCA TEAM

Some recently donated foodstuffs:

OUR CONTACTS

Address: Jalan Jeti Jelutong 11600 Penang, Malaysia.
Tel: (604)2816559 (6016)4166559
Email: info@spca-penang.net
Web: www.spca-penang.net
We welcome visitors to the shelter.

OPENING HOURS

Monday - Friday: 10am - 12.30pm and 2pm - 4.30pm
Saturday: 10am - 12.30pm
We are closed on Sundays and some Public Holidays (please check website for details).

IMPORTANT INFO

Our phone is manned 7 days a week until 7pm. Emergency calls will only be handled during daylight hours.
Should you have a problem with stray dogs or cats, kindly contact the MBPP at 042592189/2592291/2810850/2812696 or MPSP at 045402566/5381598, the authorities in charge.

DONATION INFO

Monetary donations can be made via:

Transfer to our bank
Paypal
TouchNGo

Go here for details.