CATS have been left stranded at several pet hotels in the Klang Valley, as their owners are afraid to break the movement control order (MCO) to pick them up, which could mean a heavy fine or jail sentence.

Several pet hotel operators told The Malaysian Insight that they, too, are guilty of breacing the MCO as they have to visit their premises to feed the stranded animals still under their care.

Some of the pets have been left at the shelters from March 13, when the school holidays began.

The MCO was enforced on March 18 to break the chain of coronavirus transmissions in the country and was initially supposed to end on March 31. However, it has since been extended to April 14 as the number of Covid-19 cases increased.

As of yesterday, 2,161 infections and 26 deaths due to Covid-19 were reported.

A pet hotel operator in Shah Alam told The Malaysian Insight that most people had sent their pets in early March during the school holidays.

“The cats left with us now are those sent much earlier during the school holidays. Due to the MCO, the owners couldn’t come and pick their cats up.

“As for the other cats, their owners managed to pick them up one day before the MCO came into effect,” said the pet hotel operator, who wished to remain anonymous.

Currently, the pet hotel shelters seven cats, even though it is not allowed to operate during the MCO.

The operator said he goes to the premise daily to make sure the felines have ample food and to clean their cages.

“We maintain constant communication with the owners. We usually give them updates on the cats’ situation by sending them photos or videos,” he said.

One concern that he has, however, is that the cats will be negatively affected if the MCO is extended further.

“On my side, there is no problem as most of the cats are used to being sheltered here so there is not much issue.

“But if the MCO is extended for too long, I fear that the pets will become depressed, which can lead to illnesses,” said the operator of the cat hotel, which began operations a year ago.

Kidkatz Petshop owner Mohammad Nazrie Abd Rahman is also facing the same situation, and has to open his premises in Ampang for two hours every day to feed the cats twice a day.

“In my case, there are only four left because most pet owners had picked up their cats last Sunday.

“I was only able to contact the owners through telephone and enquire when they will pick up their cats.

“It’s always the same answer: when the quarantine is over and when they can return safely to Kuala Lumpur,” he said.

Nazrie said although he will have to charge customers who have yet to pick up their cats extra, “we will probably give some sort of discount because we understand how complicated the current situation is”.

Safiyya Pet Shop owner Muhammad Habibul Ambia, meanwhile, said that only one owner has yet to pick up his cat due to the MCO.

The owner had gone to his home town before the MCO was enforced and is staying put there. “He requested that we extend our service,” said the Klang-based shop owner.

All three cat hotel operators are concerned about impact the MCO will have on their business.

Those that were forced to shut down operations are now depending on earnings from delivering pet food and items to customers. However, they say this is still insufficient.

Nazrie said he estimates that his business has suffered losses amounting to RM15,000.

As for the cat hotel operator in Shah Alam, the situation is not any better as he estimates that his losses are almost at 80%. He is also worried he may run out of cat food as there is no circulation of capital.

“My store is almost out of supplies and I am not able to replenish the stock as there is no revenue.

“Cat food suppliers also have their own problems, while we still have to pay for rent and other overhead costs,” he said. – March 28, 2020.