13 cats die, 300 cats abused by starvation and dehydration in Petknode cattery, Damansara Damai, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Looking into the history of Petknode, we found out that they were running an online pet store since 2009 with an emphasis of cat foods (kedai makanan kuching), home delivery and cat boarding. Their catchphrase said: Keeping you cat happy is no longer a chore."

Petknode Cat Boarding is the 24 hours care cat-only boarding center that offers privacy, safe and clean environment for your cat stay. Our center is suitable for cat owners (or lovers) who are looking for alternatives to home pet sitting and affordable boarding service. We do not offer every possible luxury amenity for your cat but we as the passionate cat lovers understand the needs of your cat and are committed to keep your cat comfortable and content when you are away.

Our rate RM13, for each of the first 5 days, RM10 for every next day.

As of today, their website has been taken offline and about 300 animals have been found left abandoned: some locked up in cages starving to death, some left on their own mingling with other cats in a garden, 13 cats passed away due to starvation or dehydration (the petfood provided by the owners was not even opened, although some boarded their cats 9 days earlier) and some cats escaped.

Although the owners of the cattery have been brought in for questioning, according to the Malaysian Animal Welfare Society, justice most likely wont be done.

For one, how do you compensate an owner whose cat has been starved to death? According to the Animal Act 1953 (2006 Amendment), cruelty to animals can lead to a RM200 fine or a 6 month jail term or both.

However a recent case a few months ago showed CCTV footage where a woman kicked and stamped on 3 kittens, only to be fined RM400 without jail term.

Disturbing CCTV picture of a woman that walks over to a kitten and kicks it.

But in a case like this of 300 animals, boarded at RM13 each, that’s making RM3900 a day only to be fined a one time maximum RM200? This clearly states that the law is not at all suited to take this kind of animal cruelty seriously.

The cats were all boarded over the festive Hari Raya weekend: the cattery managers were all in for the money but just couldn’t keep up with the demand.

If you want to help a hand an take in cats or kittens that are still waiting for their owners to be collected, or want to attend the press conference about the Petknode massacre, do visit the NGO Kucing Terbiar & Anjing Jalanan Facebook page for updates.