Complaints on stray animals drop
Edward (fifth left) and Yeo (fifth right) with participants of the charity walk yesterday.
Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah, said this yesterday before flagging off the ‘Walk For Animals’ 2014 charity walk co-organized by DBKK and the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Kota Kinabalu (SPCAKK).
“The total number of complaints received in 2013 was 247 cases, compared to 291 cases that City Hall received in 2012,” he said.
Yong added that City Hall had been collaborating with the SPCAKK in the ‘Trap, Neuter and Release’ programme which is intended to neuter and spay stray animals, before releasing them into the streets as a preventive method to curb the proliferation of more strays.
“To date, the joint effort between SPCAKK and City Hall has seen the neutering of 32 dogs in the Tanjung Aru area and 28 dogs in other industrial and commercial areas,” he said.
Meanwhile, Yong said that ensuring the city is free from stray animals is one of the measures to maintain the safety and orderliness of a city.
Also present at the event was DBKK director-general Datuk Yeo Boon Hai.
Animal lovers from all walks of life gathered for the three-kilometre charity walk to support and raise awareness on animal welfare here yesterday at Tanjung Aru First Beach.
The charity walk was also aimed at raising funds for a project to relocate the current SPCAKK adoption centre, which has been severely affected by flash floods and mudslides.
“Relocating our animals to a dryer and safer place is now our urgent focus,” said SPCAKK’s eead of education, Dr Roslee Abbas, on behalf for its president, Henny Liew.
Faridah Malai, a lifetime SPCAKK member, lauded the efforts by the SPCA to educate the public on animal welfare through the charity walk.
“A lot of us still do not understand that animals are a lot like humans. It’s really important to show compassion to animals and I think this would reflect the goodness of our country,” she said.
Faridah feeds and houses about 50 stray cats and dogs on her own accord and expenses while owning four cats of her own.
“There are a lot of strays on the streets but I believe a way to solve this is through the trap and neuter program,” she said, adding that it is one of the ways to prevent more strays.
Meanwhile, another SPCAKK member, Ong En Oi, also joined the walk to support the cause with her sister, Nurmina Nawali and other family members.
Ong houses 17 cats, some of which are adopted and from people who have decided that they did not want them as pets anymore.
She said the cats, which she has kept since 2001, are kept in a separate house which she has built behind her residence.
Nurmina affectionately said that cats around the housing area seemed to know that her sister’s home is a refuge, while supporting her (Ong’s) efforts to spay and neuter all her cats.
Others such as Azizah Yusop, while not having pets of her own, still believes that the charity walk can help raise public awareness on animal rights issues.
Rozah Mahmud, meanwhile, hopes that increased education and awareness will help others develop empathy towards animals.
60 dogs in KK neutered to get rid of strays
Published on: Monday, April 14, 2014
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"Congratulations to SPCAKK and City Hall for organising this walk to mark the start of SPCAKK's public fund raising activities. City Hall has been providing very strong and effective support to SPCAKK programmes such as the TNR (Trap, Neuter and Release) programme."
In relation to this, he said that there is a decrease of 44 cases or 15 per cent of complaints on stray animals which is a good indicator that the stray animal problems are being taken care of by City Hall and SPCAKK.
He said City Hall received 247 complaints on stray animals last year and 291 cases in 2012.
He said in order for City Hall to maintain the safety and orderliness of a city, it does not necessarily mean having to deal only with the problem of people throwing rubbish, but also ensured that the city is free from stray animals.
Yong said it was imperative that City Hall maintain an orderly, safe and clean city in order to give a positive impression to tourists.
Yong also highlighted on the various stories pertaining to animal cruelty.
"They are counting on compassionate people like all of us.
It is heartbreaking as well as infuriating to know the extent of the abuse the animals have to suffer in the hands of human beings.
"And it is up to all of us to give these animals a voice by being their heroes."
This, according to Yong can be achieved by learning about the issues these animals are facing and taking the necessary action to help them.
"Each of us have the power to save these animals from being mistreated and to ensure that they have a proper home," reminded Yong.
He said among the urgent concerns is the relocation of the adoption centre in Lomunu which has been constantly experiencing flash floods and landslide, making it unsafe for the animals and the staff.
Yong pointed out that the fundraising effort was to finance the new centre and its day to day operation.
In relation to this, he urged members of the public to support SPCAKK as they are raising awareness in responsible pet ownership and cruelty to animals. They are also promoting kindness and respect to all animals and in particular, free them from sufferings, abuses and exploitations.
Margaret Tong, an SPCA member since 2006, said she felt very appreciative of participants who joined in the walk.
She hoped that more SPCA branches would be opened in the State.
"So far, there are only two - in KK and Sandakan. Apart from the registered societies, there are also individuals who are doing a lot on their ownÉthere are many unsung heroes out there."
Tina Lu Ting Chih, one of SPCAKK's staff who used to study in Japan, said that based on her observations in Japan, she saw no stray dogs in the streets.
Among those present at the event were City Hall's Director General Datuk Yeo Boon Hai, President of SPCAKK Henny Liew, and SPCAKK's Head of Education Dr. Rosleey Abbas.
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