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An uncle who has been taking care of 59 dogs for eight years has put out a cry for help on Facebook after testing positive for COVID-19
Thinking that he may not survive due to his advanced age, the man — only known as the owner of Facebook page Erlang’s Dog — hopes someone will take over his independently run dog shelter if he passes away.
“If I’m not around anymore, I hope my children, my 59 dogs, will have someone to take care of them. I’ve done so for eight years,” he wrote.
Image via Erlang’s Dog (Facebook)
The elderly man said he started the shelter in 2012 after deciding to rescue strays that he used to feed on the streets
He has saved as many as he can, from dogs who were sick and injured to stranded puppies that have lost their mothers to road accidents.
However, despite his love for them, the uncle said housing 59 dogs has always been a struggle. He shared that he has been chased out of many homes over the years due to the smell and noise of raising so many dogs.
So, although rental at the current house is RM3,200 a month, he said the space is large enough for the dogs, and they are far enough from his neighbours.
“When I’m no longer here, I hope nobody will take my children away from this place,” he said.
Image via Erlang’s Dog (Facebook)
Until March last year, he has managed to pay for all of the shelter’s expenses on his own, and without the need for donations
However, when the pandemic hit, he said his business went bankrupt and he has had to juggle two jobs since to continue taking care of his dogs.
In addition to the RM3,200 house rental, he said the cost of feeding 59 dogs comes up to about RM5,600 every month.
In addition to that, he has a caretaker whom he pays RM1,500 monthly to help feed the dogs and clean and manage the house while he is at work.
Image via Erlang’s Dog (Facebook)
The uncle said he has not revealed his shelter’s address because he is afraid people will dump more puppies at the house
However, he said if he passes away, he has given his caretaker permission to publish the address on his Facebook page.
But for now, he needs immediate help to pay for the shelter’s rent and for the dogs’ food.
“I’m begging for help for two of these things,” he said.
He added, “Each one of these dogs are like my children. I’ve lived this long just for them.”
Image via Erlang’s Dog (Facebook)
If you would like to help, you can contribute to:
Erlang’s Dog
8604609518 (CIMB)