The hard work of animal rights welfare groups and politicians have paid off, with the Alor Setar City Council today extending the eviction notice to the shelter run by Muhammad Azmi Ismail.

NONE Alor Setar MP Gooi Hsiao Leung ( left ) said the demolition of the shelter for abandoned dogs and cats, which was to take place today, was postponed.

"I had a meeting with the city council today and they have decided to extend the date to some time in December. They will send us an official letter soon," Gooi told Malaysiakini .

"At least it will give us some more time to find land for the animals," he added.

"We thank all those who joined us in the campaign to save the lives of the animals."

Last Saturday, members of two NGOs and Gooi had a press conference with Pak Mie and his wife to urge the city council to spare the lives of the 700 dogs and 100 cats under Pak Mie's care.

The accompanying NGOs were the Malaysian Animal Welfare Society and Save Our Strays (SOS) Penang.

The group started a petition to save the animals on Facebook, which has now received some 2,000 Likes.

Pak Mie has been turned away from another piece of land he had acquired in Kuala Nerang, after being accused of illegal breeding of the animals.