Flood-hit canine centre almost fully restored a year later

 

K-9 Cottage owner Salehin Ibrahim has restored the canine centre and beautified it with a variety of greenery. (Salehin pic)

PETALING JAYA: A year on, dog sanctuary K-9 Cottage in Hulu Langat, Selangor, is on its way to being fully operational after it was devastated by massive flooding in December 2021.

The rebuilding process and the recovery time to get things back to normal has been long and stressful but Salehin Ibrahim, who runs K-9 Cottage, says the centre is almost up and running.

“It’s about 80% done but not open to the public just yet because of the rainy season. Hopefully, after January, I will be able to open it,” he told FMT.

K-9 Cottage, a therapeutic sanctuary for dogs and people, was badly damaged after the incessant rains and floods swept away much of the facility.

A month after the floods, Salehin appealed for help to build a fence around the perimeter to ensure the safety of his beloved dogs.

Thanks to public donations, he was able to spend about RM100,000 on repairs and to beautify the area again with plants to replace those that were destroyed.

“I have also moved back into my home after living in a tent in my car park for the past five months,” a cheerful Salehin said.

The large stream by the centre took a month to deepen for better flow during heavy rain. (Salehin pic)

However, he is still concerned that the large stream by his house would overflow this monsoon season and cause another severe flood.

“I am worried every time it rains heavily. I sit outside and monitor if the water is rising,” he said.

He is also worried about a landslide occurring, similar to the one in Batang Kali, saying it was heartbreaking reading about the lives lost and furry friends that had perished.

“It made me realise anything can happen and it has made me extra vigilant. I can’t imagine losing my dogs,” he said.

Salehin said once K-9 Cottage is fully operational, he wants to host an appreciation event for all the dogs and team members of the Batang Kali search and rescue operation.

“They worked tirelessly and should be acknowledged for their efforts,” he said.

K-9 Cottage provides therapeutic services for people to play with dogs in a natural, open-air environment. It also houses an animal-assisted therapy programme for the elderly, physically disabled and mentally impaired. - FMT