CAT In Selayang Today To Check On Dogs

Dogs at the pound

 PETPOSITIVE BARKING NEWS! 

A FIRST-EVER MBPJ CAT COMMITTEE MEETING IS TAKING PLACE IN MPS THIS MORNING.

DATELINE: MAJLIS PERBANDARAN SELAYANG, SELANGOR.
IT HAS NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE.

THIS MORNING, MEMBERS OF THE VERY FIRST CANINE ADVISORY TEAM (CAT) IN THE COUNTRY ARE HAVING THEIR OFFICIAL MEETING HERE.

AND EVERYONE IS LITERALLY PROUDLY MEOWING ABOUT IT!

MBPJ CAT with other councils in MBPJ HQ

THE MOVE IS PART OF A STRATEGIC ATTEMPT TO COORDINATE ALL ACTIVITIES RELATED TO ANIMALS BY LOCAL COUNCILS TO WORK TOGETHER IN SELANGOR. 

The Canine Advisory Team or CAT which was mooted by Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Councillor Anthony SB Thanasayan has plans to make this a first of more meetings to be held monthly at the various councils in Selangor. 

"CAT is very concerned about the humane treatment of animals that are under the care of the local councils," said Thanasayan to PET+BLOGSPOT yesterday.

"We want to make sure that every animal, particularly dogs, are treated in the best possible way from the moment they are caught by the council all the way right up until they are adopted and even put to sleep," he said. 

MBPJ CAT visiting MPS pound with Gunarajah George

"That is why we have actively included the Department of Veterinary Services in our work as well as animal welfare groups like the SPCA and others."

The treatment of animals by local councils, in particular canines, have always come under fire by animal rights and welfare groups.

"Many of these complaints are justified," Thanasayan said. However, he pointed out that it is better to work with local councils than to fight them. 

"The biggest weakness of local councils are their ignorance about canines and this is understandable as most of them have never owned dogs.

"This is where CAT comes in to try and educate them - and, at the same time, pet owners who are irresponsible with their pets." 

Dr Xavier saying "hello" to a furry friend during MBPJ operations

CAT was formed in MBPJ in 2008. That was soon after Thanasayan became a councillor and insisted that such a committee be set up.

NGOs like PAWS, SPCA and PETPOSITIVE were immediately roped into the committee where CAT now meets once a month. 

Half a year later, CAT decided to invite the rest of the 11 local councils from Selangor to sit in their meetings.

MPK CAT team during a meeting

The move proved to be an excellent learning point for all the councils. 

The Majlis Perbandaran Klang (MPK) was the second council to form a CAT Committee after MBPJ. 

MBPJ's educational dog forum with YB Ronnie Liu

Both MBPJ and MPK have started numerous education projects realising that the real problem came from irresponsible owners than dogs or cats. 

The MPS came under strong attacks recently from animal groups including SPCA Selangor. 

However an investigation partly through CAT discovered that it was lack of know-how and access to professionals that were the causes of cruelty in the pound.

MBPJ's check on dog licenses and care for the animal

Ever since then CAT has been pushing for the setting up of a Canine Committee like MPK and MBPJ in Selayang. 

However, we have not heard of the formation of such a group yet and can only hope that one will be set up as fast as possible.

"This issue will certainly be brought up at (today's) meeting in MPS," said Thanasayan. 

The meeting will also include a visit to the MPS pound in Rawang. 

MBPJ's Education Exercise With Ipoh City Council

CAT Chairman Thanasayan has requested that MPS Councillor Gunarajah George also be present during the visit. 

Both MBPJ CAT and MPK CAT are strongly supported by Selangor Executive Councillors, YBs Dr A Xavier Jayakumar (Health) and Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew (Head of Local Councils).    

A follow up report on this morning's session will be featured soon. 
   
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