K-9 COTTAGE, an animal therapy centre in Sungai Lui, Hulu Langat, Selangor, is expected to be up and running again in six months to a year.

Owner Salehin Ibrahim initially announced the closure of the centre citing poor health, but is now determined to restore the centre to its original state after it was destroyed by floods in December.

“My landlady came to visit me before she died and told me that I can live here for as long as I like,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“She was my colleague at Hong Leong Bank. After hearing about the problems I faced living in the city, she told me to live on the land.

“She looked after me until the end of her life.”

Sixty-year-old Salehin left his high-flying job as a banker after 25 years to set up the centre due to his love of dogs.

The floods completely damaged the centre. And even after three months of cleaning the debris, there is still much to be done.

Salehin said he owes it to his landlady to restore the land, on which he still has a 10-year lease.

Major repairs

Though he is optimistic that the centre will be ready within a year, Salehin admitted that there is still much to be done.

But he is up to the job, surrounded by his trusted canine companions Hitam, Koa, Patch, Putih and Stoner.

“I have some workers, who resumed work after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri break.

“I have to plant trees to provide shade as it is very hot. People are welcomed to donate plants that are suitable to be planted by the riverside.

“Next, I have to build a bridge to connect the land to the old campsite, which also needs to be rebuilt, along with the barbecue pit.

“I also need to replant my herbs and vegetable patch.

“Some trees need to be fell as they are near the dog kennel, but people are taking advantage of my situation, quoting me RM1,000 per tree.”

However, his most major repair project – straightening and deepening the river near his home – is successful.

“The fence is up, which is a relief as this will keep the dogs in and trespassers out.

“I bought the materials for the fence, while the Kota Kemuning Lakeside residents association helped me erect it.”

Salehin said electricity is now available thanks to newly installed solar panels.

Mercy Malaysia is also building a new house for Salehin.

“They recently started building the house. The roof is finished, it (the whole house) should be ready in two weeks.

“The house has one room, toilet, living room, kitchen and veranda. I have to furnish it myself.”

Dr Dog programme

Salehin said he is looking forward to restarting the Dr Dog animal assisted therapy programme, but added that this will take some time.

The programme has been on hiatus since 2019, mainly due to Covid-19.

“The programme in Kuala Lumpur is still on hold, but in Penang, we will start soon. We have 10 dogs in Kuala Lumpur and 15 in Penang.”

However, he expects resistance from locals once his centre reopens.

“People here seem to be under the assumption that I am training police dogs as the centre is called K-9 Cottage and after the Hugo incident.

“It is not that other people here do not have dogs, my last neighbour had 10 dogs. I do not understand (why they dislike me), am I that dirty?”

Following the floods, looters tried to steal from Salehin. His dog Hugo chased them away, but not before the canine was slashed on the head. – May 7, 2022.