Langkawi Pet Sanctuary Urgently Appeals For Donations As It Must Vacate By Year-End
WOOFF needs RM380,000 by December this year to secure a new property.
By Tamara Jayne — 18 Nov 2024, 11:46 AM
WOOFF, a sanctuary that has rescued abused and abandoned animals in Langkawi for 17 years, urgently needs to relocate
The land they are on is being sold, and they must vacate by December, putting 160 dogs and 17 cats at risk of being left homeless.
To continue their lifesaving work, WOOFF needs to raise RM380,000 to secure a new property. So far, only RM100,000 has been collected, and without more support, the animals could be forced back onto the streets.
Jeffrey Tan is an experienced and qualified animal behaviourist who recognises the urgent needs of stray dogs and cats in Langkawi.
Image via WOOFF Langkawi"This fundraising is critical," said WOOFF spokesperson Sam Lambert, according to The Star.
"Failing to meet the goal will not only impact the current animals in our care but also affect future strays and rescues on the island."
For nearly two decades, WOOFF has played a vital role in the community, housing over 1,000 animals and running a successful trap-neuter-release programme to control the stray population
They work hard to rehabilitate animals for adoption, with many finding homes around the world, including the US, UK, and Malaysia.
The sanctuary is entirely donation-based, with founder Jeffrey Tan and dedicated volunteers, managing daily operations.
The sanctuary can't afford to hire full-time staff, relying entirely on donations to cover food, medicine, and other operational costs
"Although we would love to hire a permanent worker, we simply can't afford full-time salaries," Lambert said.
Local officials, including Kedah's local government committee chairman Major (Rtd) Mansor Zakaria, have recognised WOOFF's impact and encouraged seeking state and federal assistance. He also suggested using temporary land until funds are secured.
"The operator can consult the Langkawi District Office and the Land Office, which may be willing to offer temporary use of vacant land," Mansor said, applauding the NGO's dedication to animal welfare.
