KUCHING: The relentless downpour which started on Thursday evening and continued until the following day resulted in floods affecting not only people residing in low-lying areas but animals as well.
Sarawak Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) centre at 7th Mile was not spared the effects of the torrential rain.
Flood water had started to rise at the animal shelter at around 6.30am today and inundated the area not long after.
SSCPA president Datin Dona Drury-Wee said prior to this year, the shelter had not experienced floods since 2013.
“We thought those days were over because the drains had been properly built with all the development around us, our land is now below the road level and therefore this causes problems with the water all rushing into this ‘valley’,” she said when contacted today.
She hoped that in view of this dire situation, the authorities would help by speeding up the approval of plans for SSPCA’s new Animal Village so that works could finally commence.
“We are also appealing to the public for funds to help us build our new Animal Village,” she said.
She said contributions could be channelled to SSPCA’s CIMB account (8005274525), and donors may put a note stating ‘For Animal Village’.
It was earlier reported that the new Animal Village, estimated to cost RM5 million, would be constructed on a 0.8-hectare site in Sungai Tapang and will be equipped with a vet clinic, boarding facilities, and a pet-grooming centre.
A Facebook Live session by SSPCA at around 8.45am today showed the heart-wrenching scene at the centre following the overnight deluge.
Dogs seek refuge on higher surfaces during the flood. 
The flood at SSPCA.
In the video, SSPCA members were on site and wading through the thigh-high floodwaters to help the animals however they could.
Dogs were seen paddling around and seeking refuge in huddles on shelves, tables, pallets, and any higher surfaces they could get to in an attempt to stay dry.
The distress and fear of the animals was apparent from the sounds of barking, whimpering, and howling which filled the air.
Fortunately, Dona said that no animals had drowned.
In an update via another Facebook Live session by SSPCA at around 1.50pm this afternoon, the floodwaters appeared to have subsided and the centre had managed to carry out clean-up efforts.
In January, the SSPCA shelter experienced a bout of flooding as well, to which the public were quick to respond with donations and support.
A distressed dog during the flood at SSPCA. (Photo: A screenshot from SSPCA’s Facebook Live session) 
Desperate to seek refuge from the flood, dogs can be seen trying to reach higher surfaces.
