Don't Own A Dog If You Are Not Ready For The Responsiilities, Says DVS

PETPOSITIVE NEWSFLASH!



DATELINE KUALA LUMPUR

Dato Dr Aziz Jamaluddin

IF YOU WANT to keep a dog and are not quite ready for the responsibility of owning one; DON'T!

That's the message that  Director-General of the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Dato Dr Abdul Aziz Jamuluddin would like to urge wannabe dog owners.

Speaking to reporters after the launch of the Malaysian Kennel Association's (MKA) international dog competition in Jalan Dagang here last Saturday, DVS DG Dato' Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin said owning a dog was a huge responsibility.

Dr Aziz gesturing as MKA president Larry looks on

"Every potential pet owner should know this. Getting a dog is not like purchasing something from a supermarket," Dr Aziz cautioned. 

"It's not like getting a fish from an aquarium shop to rear at home. Don't be fooled by what a pet shop salesman tells you - listen to the dog you want to look after yourself!" Adds the DG.

Dr Aziz advises all would be dog owners to do some homework first. 

"Read all about the canine breed that you want to own first," he says. 

"If you haven't been to a seminar or dog show like those organised by the MKA and others, sign up for them first in order to give you a better idea of the responsibilities that your decision will involve.

"Don't make the fatal mistake like those who get a dog to protect their homes but end up having the animal a threat to the neighbourhood instead.

Dr Aziz stressed that local councils should also get into the act of educating pet owners about responsible pet keeping before they decide to own pets.

"The MKA's show (last Saturday) was world class. The NGO should do more to spread their excellent work to more members of the public as a means of education and awareness about responsible pet ownership," said Dr Aziz who owns two dogs himself.

Dr Aziz also encouraged PETPOSITIVE to involve more disabled and elderly persons to the benefits of animal-assisted therapy.

"This is especially timely as Malaysia moves into an ageing society," he concluded.

The MKA event witnessed the participation of more than 300 canines and 1,500 people. 
The canine championships were held over two days during the weekend. 

(For more, see Wheel Power in PET+BLOGSPOT tomorrw)

PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. 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 are now 150,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!