NEWSFLASH! Pet Lovers Laud Change; Having High Hopes for Dogs in Selayang and Rawang

PETPOSITIVE NEWSFLASH!

DATELINE PETALING JAYA: 

PET LOVERS are hailing yesterday's Newsflash in PET+BLOGSPOT (BIG CHANGE SOON IN DOG CARE IN SELAYANG) about a significant shift of approach towards animals by the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS).

In a meeting chaired by MPS Head Yang DiPertua Dato Zainal Abidin Azim, the promise that the local council will see to it that the treatment of all animals within the municipality will be done with care and respect is being seen by animal lovers and veterinarians alike as a major breakthrough in the area of animal rights and welfare concerns.
 
Leading the list of delighted readers is Erica Chum.

Chum, an individual pet rescuer, was the first to highlight the poor conditions of the dog pound in Selayang to animal welfare groups and blogs last month.

In fact, she told PET+BLOGSPOT that she has been concerned about the pound (which was located elsewhere previously) for several years. 

"I used to wake up at 6am every weekends to cook food for the dogs," she said. "I would then carry 8 kilograms of rice and dog kibble together with canned food and travel a good way to MPS to feed the pound dogs," she added. 

"I also use to bail out injured dogs and puppies and rush them to the veterinary clinic using my own hard-earned money to pay for their expenses.

"I am so happy that the MPS President has stepped in to resolve the issue. My thanks also go out to all the councillors involved in yesterday's meeting."

Former MPS Councillor for Zone 16 Gurdip Kaur was also ecstatic by the news. 

"I certainly think that MPS has made a very commendable move by wanting to set up a canine committee to look into animal rights and welfare issues - as well as concerns by non pet-lovers in the constituency," she said whilst being interviewed on the telephone. 

Gurdip, who is also instrumental in setting up an OKU committee in MPS says it is now up the the council to keep up to its word to carry out its promise.

"Having served and worked with the local council for a year, I have no doubt that MPS will carry out what it says under the leadership of the Dato YDP," concluded Gurdip who has a service dog by the name of Dusty.

A resident from Selayang who wishes only to be identified as Kitty Kat, emailed us at petpositive@yahoo.com to congratulate members of the Canine Advisory Team (CAT) and YB Dr Xavier Jayakumar, the Selangor state executive director of Health for initiating the latest victory:

"I have been following some of the blogs and postings that have been condemning CAT and you Mr Thanasayan for your excellent efforts in diplomacy and dialogue - all to bring a better quality of care for the hapless animals at the pound.

"They must all be eating humble pie with the latest news. Serves them right too. 

"I hope that by your perseverance, politeness and respect for both animals and humans, CAT will continue to make a difference for all animals - both the two-legged and four-legged - at the local councils.

"CAT has been able to do what even the SPCA, MDDB, SAS could not do recently or over the years. Keep on meowing all the way to greater victories to you and your intrepid team!" Concluded Kitty Kat. 


Yesterday's meeting decided to focus on several urgent matters.

They include ensuring the dogs at the pound were fed properly and animals that are sick are put down promptly by the DVS or a veterinarian. 


Meanwhile CAT Chairman Anthony Thanasayan cautions that yesterday was only a first meeting. 

"Please don't expect instant changes," he says. 

"It would take several more weeks and months before everything is put in place properly," he adds.      

"The fact that the YDP is now involved fully in matters regarding the pound; the Department of Veterinary Services - both in Gombak and Putrajaya's - professional guidance is being sought together with regular spot-checks conducted; the MPS councillors are heading the committee and YB Dr Xavier is being briefed on the latest developments is plenty reason enough for all of us to remain highly optimistic that the changes that we are looking for will definitely come about.

"And what a great day that will be for MPS itself, when it does!" Thanasayan concluded.
          
YOUR FEEDBACK PLEASE: What do you think about the above story?
Do you think that the MPS move is a good one? Will they stick to their word? Is this a better way to work with local councils? Can MPS become the best pound in Selangor? 

Tell us your views in the comments section. Please remember to keep your feedback polite and constructive. Thank you! 

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