PUTRA HEIGHTS – The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Selangor has been on the ground since the early stages of the gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights, coordinating efforts to rescue and care for animals affected by the disaster.
SPCA General Manager Kelvin Cheah said today marked the third day of their on-site operations.
“On the first day, our priority was to gather reports from pet owners who contacted us directly about animals left behind in their homes. These cases became our immediate focus,” he explained.
“By the second day, we began extracting animals in more critical condition to ensure they received urgent medical attention.”
However, challenges arose on the third day when clearance and permit issues temporarily delayed their work.
“We had to reregister everyone involved in the rescue operation. We’re now going house-to-house based on reports we’ve received, treating injured animals and feeding those that managed to escape but are still roaming nearby,” Kelvin said.
When asked about his experience entering the affected area, Kelvin described the conditions as extremely distressing.
“The animals we found were in one of two conditions: either physically unharmed but suffering from severe dehydration or already dead due to the intense heat and explosion. It was a flash fire — swift and violent,” he said.
He estimated that over 100 animals may have been in the affected area during the explosion. “In the first two hours alone, we found two animals that had already died. Some animals might remain trapped or buried under debris.
So far, SPCA and its partners have successfully rescued over 30 cats, five dogs, and two snakes. Owners have already claimed most of these, leaving three dogs and three cats unclaimed.
“If your pets are still inside your home or missing in the area, please let us know how many and what type of animals. Such information will help us send our team to check their condition and get them the help they need,” he added.
Kelvin urged pet owners who have yet to report missing animals to reach out immediately. -MalayaDailyToday
