Jessica Low, a new volunteer with Petpositive represented the Society at the CAT special session. Less than 24-hours later she sent an email to our President Anthony SB Thanasayan to give her feedback.
A brief part of her comment was featured in our special Weekend View feature on Saturday and Sunday. Today we publish her email in full.
Petpositive appreciates volunteers especially like Jessica who are so bubbly in their approach and love for all the things that we do especially in the lives of animals, the disabled and the elderly.
Thank you Jess for writing in. We look forward to working with you very closely.
PET+BLOGSPOT
Dear Mr. President,
Whether our fellow dog-lovers see it or not, change is happening. And change at the very core is taking place because of CAT. The committee which seats the head of health council, vets of the state veterinary department, ngos, independent rescuers right down to the man who patrols the street to "safe-dogs", everyone is learning from each other. The key word here is that teamwork makes the dream work*. And the very initiative of being able to fill a room of people whom each of us thought had issues, they left prejudice and religious debates at the door and came in with a open heart to listen to one another.
Whether our fellow dog-lovers see it or not, change is happening. And change at the very core is taking place because of CAT. The committee which seats the head of health council, vets of the state veterinary department, ngos, independent rescuers right down to the man who patrols the street to "safe-dogs", everyone is learning from each other. The key word here is that teamwork makes the dream work*. And the very initiative of being able to fill a room of people whom each of us thought had issues, they left prejudice and religious debates at the door and came in with a open heart to listen to one another.
"The key word is teamwork" - Jessica Low
CAT's meeting today was about dog-catching. I have to say a few things that striked a chord with me here which are mostly notes from Dr Thiba :
1) Dogs being dragged or being threatened just don't know what to do. They are like a 10 year old kid. You don't shout at them or terrify them for being naughty. Instead, speak gently. Be gentle and patient with them. Dogs are like that too. They just need to be encouraged. After all, you know that once they are caught, this is their death sentence. So let it be one of the happier days before they are put to sleep.
2) They know it. Once you breathe fear or you show anger, a dog picks up your feelings and react to you as the only way he know it, which is to bite. It's not that they want to bite but that is all they know how to express themselves in such fearful situations of being rounded up and caught by the dog-catcher.
3) There are 5 freedoms that any living being is entitled to. Dogs or Humans alike, there are laws that protect the rights of these animals and anyone infringing can be sued apparently. So, for general information they are:
1) Dogs being dragged or being threatened just don't know what to do. They are like a 10 year old kid. You don't shout at them or terrify them for being naughty. Instead, speak gently. Be gentle and patient with them. Dogs are like that too. They just need to be encouraged. After all, you know that once they are caught, this is their death sentence. So let it be one of the happier days before they are put to sleep.
2) They know it. Once you breathe fear or you show anger, a dog picks up your feelings and react to you as the only way he know it, which is to bite. It's not that they want to bite but that is all they know how to express themselves in such fearful situations of being rounded up and caught by the dog-catcher.
3) There are 5 freedoms that any living being is entitled to. Dogs or Humans alike, there are laws that protect the rights of these animals and anyone infringing can be sued apparently. So, for general information they are:
- Freedom from hunger and thirst
- Freedom from discomfort
- Freedom from pain, injury and disease
- Freedom to express normal behaviour
- Freedom from fear and distress
I'd have to say this people, but dog catching is necessary. Like panadol, this is a sympthom suppresor for the problem at hand but another initiave is necessary : Dog spaying AND neutering awareness. It only takes 1 male and 1 female dog to make a colony of 30 dogs in 1 year. Imagine that!
Don't like to see dog-catching or that its sad to put a dog to sleep? You think you are saving your neighbourhood strays by feeding them? Think twice. Then remember to tell your friends and neighbours and other pet owners to spay / neuter their dogs starting age of 4months. Ask a local vet, its only RM150. If not, call a local NGO and get sponsorship to spay your dog. Do it, it will save lives and tomorrow, there will be no stray dogs in your streets.
Kudos CAT, tackle it one at a time.
Yours lovingly,
Jessica Low.
PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive). Our contents are ACCURATE, RELIABLE and THE LATEST. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then is 40,000 hits and counting. PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my
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