Government Lobbying

SPCA meets regularly with the DVS to lobby for effective animal welfare legislation, building more Klinik Kembiris and humane stray animal control and management of Municipal Pounds. SPCA Selangor also actively lobbied and succeeded in keeping the trade-ban on macaques firmly in place, when the government announced plans to export the animals for consumption and bio-medical research overseas. Currently, SPCA is also lobbying for a ban on cat and dog meat consumption in Malaysia.

Petition To The Prime Minister

In January 2007, SPCA submitted over 83,032 petition signatures to our Prime Minister calling for harsher penalties for flouting animal cruelty laws and for the government to promote kindness to animals. The PM’s Department has been in contact with the DVS and we are hopeful the penalty will be significantly changed in 2009! Currently, perpetrators of animal cruelty can only be fined a maximum of RM200, with jail time not exceeding 6 months. We hope raising the fine to a substantial RM10,000 would serve as an effective deterrent and make people think twice before they abuse or neglect their pet or stray animals.

The signatures were collected in two phases over a period of 3 years. We thank everyone who has supported this petition campaign, you have spoken for those who are starved, beaten, trodden upon and deprived of their basic needs. We hope to report a breakthrough soon in 2009 - for the animals, and the people who love them.

Humane Stray Animal Control

SPCA has, over the years, been hammering on DVS’ doors the urgency of humane stray dog control that encompasses humane dog catching, housing and euthanasia, RPO and KK. In Oct 2007, SPCA handed a substantive set of proposals on Humane Guidelines on Stray Animal Control to the DVS. Thankfully in May 2008, DVS came out with their own guidelines, which have been issued specifically to all Municipals in Malaysia - highlighting the 5 Freedoms For Animals in humane stray dog control. SPCA had in November 2008 sponsored a seminar and workshop in Labuan where over 40 participants from various Municipals turned up to learn humane animal control. Dog lovers in Malaysia are ecstatic with this groundbreaking initiative. SPCA will continue to monitor and contribute constructively in this area.

MBPJ & MPS Klinik Kembiri

Newly appointed MBPJ Councillor, Anthony Thanasayan (PetPositive) has certainly been active in promoting RPO and the importance of spay/neutering of companion animals to prevent the huge numbers of unwanted animals on the streets. His perseverance and determination has paid off when he convinced MBPJ’s Director of Health, Dr Sadiah, to set up KK in PJ. SPCA has visited the proposed premises and after minor renovations MBPJ-SPCA KK will be ready for operation in the first quarter of 2009! Also, after the dog-catching competition fiasco in Sept 2007, SPCA has been actively in dialogue with MPS Director of Health Dr Razif to implement RPO and establish a KK. After much negotiation, it has been agreed that SPCA will play a substantive role in the new and improved MPS Pound where humane practices, the rehoming of companion animals and another KK will take place.

Urban Macaque-Human Conflict

After succeeding in reinstating the ban on exporting our macaques for food and experimentation in 2007, SPCA proposed workable solutions. After discussions, the Wildlife Department has given the green light to SPCA to embark on a pilot project where urban macaques are sterilised and translocated. Dr Karthi, a Malaysian vet with HK RSPCA, with extensive experience in HK, Singapore and Indonesia is the person behind this endeavor - instrumental in persuading the Wildlife Dept to partake in this project. SPCA will also lobby State governments to impose on developers a Wildlife Fund to fund the displacement of wildlife in the process of clearing their natural habitat.

DVS Animal Welfare Council

Another groundbreaking initiative is the formation of an Animal Welfare Council to be spearheaded by DVS. Set to take off early 2009, the mission of this Council is to set policies on the humane treatment of all animals. Members of the Council will be NGOs, the Farmers Association and DVS. SPCA Selangor will have a seat on this council, and we will make sure the voice of the animals is heard loud and clear.