Serious Dog Powwow In CAT MBPJ

PETPOSITIVE NEWS!

DATELINE PETALING JAYA:

Activists ready for battle: aNt, Pam, Shal & Yani (MPK)

MORE THAN TWO DOZEN persons gathered at the Petaling Jaya City Council's (MBPJ) headquarters yesterday to talk dog.  


Animal activists, local councils and veterinarians discussed canine issues from stray management to animal put downs and more at length in MBPJ's Canine Advisory Team or CAT meeting in a serious powwow session that lasted for almost three hours.

Local councils from Selangor such as Shah Alam, Klang, Subang Jaya, Sabak Bernam and Selayang joined in a lively debate with animal activists on how dogs should be treated and best cared for in their towns and cities.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) made its first appearance at CAT's meeting with a top representative answering questions and sharing his views on the matter.

The animal NGOs included PAWS, SPCA Selangor (below, right), Malaysia Independent Animal Rescue (MIAR) and PETPOSITIVE. 

Other groups included the Malaysian Kennel Association (above, left), the German Shepherd Club, and one of the newest animal NGO on the block called "Mission ImPAWsible".

SPCA jumps in

The Department of Veterinary Services was also present, along with the Malaysian Small Animal Veterinary Association as well as a veterinary officer employed by a local council. 

Two of the day's most fiery speakers came from the NGO side.

DVS representative

They were Shalinee Fernandez, vice president of MIAR who gave an impassioned plea for local councils to consider creating spaces for community dog areas where strays can be trapped, neutered, released and managed or TNRM. 

Shalinee: Give strays a fighting chance

Her suggestion was well received at the meeting even though some expressed their reservations about the project. 

The other outspoken NGO representative was Pamela Lim. Speaking for Petpositive and Mission ImPAWsible, Pamela underscored the vital need for councils to reach out to pet owners and educate them about responsible pet ownership in order for a better world where humans and animals can co-exist with one another in harmony. 

Pam: NGOs must act responsibly if they truly care for animals

At the same time the activist - together with Shalinee who are well-known for their rescue missions for the Pulau Ketam strays in Klang a few years ago - warned local councils to be wary of animal NGOs proclaiming to want to help unwanted animals but privately have hidden agendas on their plate. 

Hot issues such as the creation of dogs parks to withholding or cancelling licenses of pet shops that are cruel to animals and the importance of reducing the number of animal population through spaying campaigns was brought up at the meeting. 

The discussions also covered the recent controversy over the put down of search and rescue dogs by the Fire Department. There were those who were for it and others who thought that the dogs should have been re-homed. 

The CAT meeting concluded on a high and positive note - there was a great need for all bodies working with animals to work together for a better world for animals. 

As for MBPJ, it was clearly one of the best attended and lively meetings held by CAT since it was formed in 2008. 

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!