SPCA
has a vision, a vision that owners will take more responsibility
for their companion animals and that less and less animals
will be surrendered and less strays will be brought to the
SPCA Animal Home in Ampang Jaya. In order for this vision
to become a reality the public have a large role to play,
within their own homes and places of work we need the public
to recognize their responsibilities to the animals around
them.
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No
kill in an ideal world would be never to euthanase an unwanted
animal. In practical terms SPCA will probably never achieve
this, however we feel that it is necessary to aim for this,
and at this point we need to use strong language to get our
message across to the public. |
A
Shift in Direction:
However SPCA does aim to drastically reduce the number of
animals we euthanase through a change of direction –
in order to work effectively as a Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals, it is necessary to focus more heavily
on the Inspectorate work and following up cases to fruition
– a prosecution. The Animal Home in Ampang Jaya would
then, be used to rescue the cruelty case animals and our veterinary
surgeons would be able to use their veterinary medicine to
rehabilitate these animals back to full health ready to be
rehomed.
SPCA would still take in special case
stray animals and would of course still rehome animals from
the animal home. So where will all the animals go to?
SPCA feels it is necessary to put the responsibility back
on the public for euthanasia. At present it is just too easy
to drop off the dog and walk away. These people soon buy another
dog and repeat the process. We feel it is time that the public
took the responsibility that our Vets and other Staff have
been burdened with for so long. So when people bring their
animals to SPCA we will advise that they take their animal
to a contract vet to hold him or her while the euthanasia
is administered. This experience will make the public think
twice when ‘dumping’ their animal anywhere.
However we understand sometimes the public feels they have
no choice but to surrender their dog. In these cases each
municipality should provide a shelter, which acts exactly
as the SPCA Animal Home at present. It should collect and
catch injured and stray animals, provide shelter, food and
veterinary care, offer rehoming to the public – be a
place where owners can find their lost animals and claim them
(fine for being irresponsible), and administer euthanasia
for thousands of unwanted animals per year – humanely.
SPCA will be involved in creation of new municipal shelters
– from design to management to supervision and protocol
and routines.
Steps ahead……
SPCA will aim to provide all the necessary infrastructure
to enable responsible Pet Ownership. We will lobby for differential
licensing for neutered animals and for microchipping, set
up more Klinik Kembiri in municipal areas so that neutering
is available and accessible, offer behavioural advice and
most of all we will act as an education service for the public
before they decide what type of animal to get as a family
companion depending on their needs and circumstances. SPCA
will work in schools to educate youngsters and through animal
welfare syllabus in Veterinary Universities.
SPCA will also lobby for animal protection and animal control
laws including licensing of breeding establishments and pet
shops, stiffer penalties for animal abuse and will work hand
in hand with Enforcement Division of the DVS to ensure prosecutions
for animal cruelty in any form. SPCA will work with Pet Industry
to develop animal welfare within the roots of the business.
SPCA will rescue and rehabilitate animals and educate the
public on cruelty to animals and how to care for a companion
animal.
Ineffective……
SPCA have existed for almost 50 years, in this time
the number of animals euthanased annually has only ever increased.
Using Law and Enforcement has not been part of SPCA’s
work up until the last 8 years – and still little resources
or priority has gone into to this aspect. It is time for a
change in Malaysia. We have found that through having an Animal
Home, SPCA energy and efforts are all centered around this
– fundraising to feed the hundreds of animals per month.
It is a sad fact, little has changed within the human society’s
attitude to animals throughout the existence of the SPCA Selangor,
cruelty photos taken 10 and 20 years ago can still be found
within the routine inspections carried out today.
If the SPCA is to change anything we must work with the authorities,
the municipalities, the Government, DVS, UPM and other animal
protection NGO’s to look at this problem and create
humane solutions, which we can realistically apply. The over
population of companion animals is a social problem –
not simply an animal welfare issue.
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