MissionHELP @ SPCA

Meeting with Dato' Tang and the YDP of MPS

2008-01-12T01:59:00.002+08:00

Finally, on the 10th of December 2007, the SPCA had a chance to have a meeting with the very busy Dato' Tang See Hang, State Assemblyman for Rawang, and the Yang DiPertua of the Majlis Perbandaran Selayang, Tuan Zainal Abidin Azim.

Both of them patiently listened to SPCA's proposal for stray control in MPS. And, GOOD NEWS, they both agreed to the bulk of our proposal!! This is indeed a great Christmas gift to the dogs in MPS and to the advancement of animal welfare in our country. If carried out successfully, MPS can very well lead the pack in stray contol for other municipals to follow.

So, in 2008, you can expect the following in MPS:

A new animal pound in Rawang! And MPS has agreed to allow SPCA access to the pound for management advice. New pound will be due in Jan 08.

A permanent Klinik Kembiri in Rawang. In its initial stages, SPCA will set up and manage the clinic. This clinic is due by March 08.

A big RPO seminar for all MPS area, called on by Dato' Tang himself. This is suppose to be done around the end of Jan 08.

Kempen Kembiri in JPH clinic before the permanent Klinik Kembiri is set up.

Dog Catching Workshop, organised by the SPCA for all dog catchers and contractors of MPS. This will be focused on using the net poles and humane handling of dogs.

A renewed dog licensing plan. All neutered dogs will get a big discount on their yearly licence fees - only RM10! Also, licensing will be more accessible to the public through vet clinics and pet shops.

More focus on public education - watch out for regular seminars and distribution of informative leaflets and posters.

Stay tuned!

If you wish to write and thank Dato' Tang or Tuan Zainal Abidin for their commendable approach for animal welfare, please contact us for their addresses and contact details!

Kempen Kembiri in Rawang

2008-01-12T01:39:00.002+08:00

A Kempen Kembiri was held on the 1st of December 2007 in Rawang, an area under the Majlis Perbandaran Selayang. This time round, a total of 14 animals were spayed/neutered at the Klinik Jabatan Perkhidmatan Haiwan in Rawang.

The hectic situation in the clinic

A vet student volunteer prepping a dog for surgery

A pet owner and their dog awaiting the surgery

Meeting at MPS with RSPCA and WSPA

2008-01-12T01:15:00.001+08:00

A meeting with MPS and SPCA with special guests from RSPCA and WSPA was held on 20th November 2007 in MPS building. The main aim of the meeting was for MPS to share their views on the stray problem and for SPCA to share the concepts of humane stray control along with the successful stories from accross the globe.

From left to right: Dr Natasha (SPCA), Dr Razif (Director of Health, MPS) and En Zulkifli (Health inspector, MPS).

Dr Kate Blaszak from WSPA gave some of her views on humane dog catching and some excellent examples of successful programs around Asia, including Singapore and Australia. Mr Brian Faulkner representing the RPSCA talked about the various humane methods that can be successfully implemented to catch dogs in our city environment. He suggests that the net pole method will be best suited for MPS. Other examples where this method was employed was Sri Lanka and Indonesia. He also mentions that Dubai has recently adopted a more humane approach to catching dogs, a huge change from the shooting that was going on previously. Goes to show that muslim countries can change to more humane methods of stray dog control.

Mr Brian Faulkner, RSPCA and Dr Kate Blaszak, WSPA

Dog catching using net poles in Bali, Indonesia

Kempen Kembiri, Bentong II

2007-11-26T02:33:00.001+08:00

IVSA and UPM vet students

Kempen Kembiri was held in JPH Clinic, Bentong on the 24th of November 2007. This time round, 9 dogs and 5 cats were spayed on this day. This campaign was made extra special, by having volunteers from international vet students, who were also here for the IVSA Symposium (International Veterinary Students' Association) organised by the students in UPM.

One of the vet students taking the heart rate of a dog

The vet students helped to examine the animals before the surgery, and monitor the condition of the animals until it recovered from the surgery. It was definitely is an eye opener for them so see the need for veterinary services in a small town such as this. They definitely enjoyed the interaction between the local vets and local pet owners.

Pet owners listening intensely to the RPO seminar by Pris

The pet owners were also given a small talk on Responsible Pet Ownership (RPO) by our very capable SPCA staff, Priscilla. Each pet owner also took back with them goody bags of pet food and treats sponsored by Pedigree and Eukanuba.

Vet surgeon neutering a cat, looked on by vet students

A couple of volunteer vets and a couple more from UPM did the anaesthesia and neutering. They also guided some of the students on examination and monitoring. Lots of thanks to them for making this trip possible! Transferring a dog to the recovery area
Vet students monitoring the recovery of a cat

Kempen Kembiri

2007-11-18T00:37:00.001+08:00

Upcoming Kempen Kembiri's:

1. Bentong, Pahang - 24th November 2007 - JPH clinic
Since the last Kempen Kembiri in Bentong, there has been a good response, and now more people will get a chance to have their pets spayed/neutered! We're coming back!

2. Rawang, Selangor - 1st December 2007 - JPH clinic
The first Kempen Kembiri under the Majlis Perbandaran Selayang area. This will be a good chance to show that you care for your pets by getting them neutered!

To register your pet for the Kempen Kembiri, please call the SPCA at 012-6040760.

We're also looking for volunteers for the campaign in Rawang. Call the number above if you're interested. Meanwhile, help us by spreading the good news!

Pet Care Day in Rawang

2007-11-18T00:27:00.000+08:00

Pet Care Day was held on the 10th of November 2007 in Taman Jati, Rawang. This event was co-organised by SPCA and Majlis Perbandaran Selayang (MPS).

Dr Susan

On this day Dr Susan Wan from Pedigree talked about pet nutrition, En Zulkifli from MPS to talk about dog licencing and regulations, and of course, our very own Pris from SPCA to talk about responsible pet ownership.

Pris

Yummy goody bags of pet food were distributed to those who came to the event. Several people registered for our upcoming Kempen Kembiri to have their pets neutered.

Dr Lim handing out some souvenir for En Zul

Map to PetCare Day in Rawang

2007-11-08T10:49:00.001+08:00

Map to Rawang from KL.

Easier to use the MRR2. If you're coming from Ampang/SPCA, head towards Batu Caves. After Batu Caves, turn off at the junction with signboard towards Ipoh. You'll come to a roundabout, turn at 3 o'clock, and follow the signs toward Ipoh.

Map in Rawang.

If you're coming from the MRR2, as soon as you reach Rawang, there'll be many shop lots on the left and right of the road (but before you reach the main town). Keep left, there'll be a Petronas on the left. After the Petronas, turn left. There's a big MCA building at the junction and a small signboard (not very obvious) saying "Taman Jati". Go straight in until you come to a field and turn left. You'll reach the Dewan Serbaguna Batu 17.

If you get lost, just ask around for directions to Taman Jati or the MCA.

Pet Care Day aka RPO Day

2007-11-05T23:25:00.000+08:00

RPO Day in Rawang

2007-11-05T00:49:00.000+08:00

The first RPO DAY will be held in Rawang, under the Majlis Perbandaran Selayang.

Date: 10th November 2007 (Saturday)
Time: 10am to 3pm
Venue: Dewan Batu 17, Taman Jati, Rawang

There will be talks on pet care and nutrition, also on dog licencing and dog by-laws. There are tons of door gifts and prizes to be won too! Also, there will be an on-going registration for the Spay Campaign that will be held soon. Be the first few to register, and get some more discounts!

Spread the news!! SPCA is coming to town!

Those interested to volunteer during this day, please contact us via email.

Pound Puppies

2007-10-03T01:58:00.001+08:00

On another trip to the pound, we were heartbroken to see some very young puppies in the kennels mixed amongst the other dogs caught by MPS. These 6 puppies could easily squeeze through the bars of the cages. Luckily for them, we came just in time to take them from the pound. They're now at a foster home and will be ready for adoption once they're deemed fit for adoption.
Mr Spock (black/white) and Rocky (black/tan) both males, 2 months.
Vanessa (female) and Cuba (male), 2 months.

Theresa (female) and Romy (male), 2 months.

Pound Dogs for Adoption

2007-10-03T01:45:00.001+08:00

On our visit to the MPS pound, we took out 3 dogs that will be rehabilitated at the SPCA's animal shelter in Ampang, in our efforts to convert the MPS pound into an adoption centre in the future. Meanwhile, these lucky dogs are over at the SPCA and are looking forward to visitors.

Polo (male), 2 years old, labrador cross. He's just been adopted!

Chanelle (female), 1 year +, labrador cross. Very sweet temperament.

Jazz (male), 1 year +, Picardy Shepherd cross. He's still quite shy.

They're looking for a good home.

Euthanasia at MPS Pound

2007-10-03T01:19:00.001+08:00

On the 21st September 2007, SPCA representatives were at the Selayang pound to witness euthanasia of the dogs that were due. However, we only manage to watch a demonstration of euthanasia performed on ONE dog from the pound. The euthanasia was done by Dr Bakry of Vet-Fine (the contractor for MPS) by means of lethal injection through the heart.

It is a sad sight indeed, and not the kind of procedure we look forward to, ever. But this is what happens when there's just too many strays out there. Where does all the stray come from? What else could we do to prevent this from being a common sight? Well, the SPCA feels strongly that the all councils should target the SOURCE of the strays. And one huge source of the strays are from irresponsible pet owners! But this is a whole other story...

Meanwhile, we will still have strays on our streets. And with the strays still around, euthanasia rates are ever so high. And SPCA hopes that the council will hear the cries of caring Malaysians, and treat those strays in a humane manner, even if its due for euthanasia.

Visit to Selayang Pound

2007-10-01T02:00:00.000+08:00

SPCA representatives visited the Selayang Pound on 18th and 21st September 2007. We find the overall conditions acceptable, if you're judging by third-world standards. However, there are much that need to be done to reach acceptable levels by first-world standards.

Although there were 7 kennels available, only 6 was used to keep dogs. The last one was used to keep dog food and other equipments. Some of the kennels were overcrowded, but some were acceptable. SPCA recommends that the number per kennel should be kept at a max of 5 dogs.

Generally, the pound was clean. The floor was washed regularly. Unfortunately, the dogs were also sprayed with water, and we find that the dogs are constantly wet. Some dogs had skin problems and ticks, but otherwise, none of the dogs seem to need any immediate euthanasia to end their suffering.

Some young puppies were found in the kennels. They are kept together with adult dogs, or in a kennel by itself. The puppies were actually able to go through the bars of the kennels. These very young puppies should actually be put into separate cages from the other dogs, cages in which they cannot come out from.

Anyway, bottom line is that we're here to help guide them towards better pound management. Now, will they accept our ideas?

This dog is now available for rehoming. SPCA has taken this dog to our animal shelter.
The constant spraying of water on the dogs, kept the dogs wet all the time.
Some little pups kept in the kennel. They're eating soaked dog food from the floor.
This kennel is obviously overcrowded.
This kennel has the right number of dogs for this kennel size.

MissionHELP: Bentong

2007-10-01T01:23:00.000+08:00

Volunteers for MissionHELP: Bentong

Mission Help: Bentong was held successfully on 19th August 2007 in the premise of the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Bentong. Staffs of DVS Bentong were keen to have this event right from the start. They have been getting many requests for veterinary services, much more than they could handle. In the end, they were amazed at the outcome of the day.

The main aim of MissionHELP is to create awareness amongst pet owners all about being a responsible pet owner. During the day-long program, an exhibition and talks on pet ownership were held. There were even many one-on-one discussions on pet care issues amongst SPCA volunteers and pet owners.

A small spay campaign were held during the day for dogs and cats. A total of 17 pets were spayed safely by SPCA vets and volunteer vets. This service was crucial to the residents of Bentong, as the only veterinary services available in this town were the basic one provided by DVS Bentong. The nearest place to get pets neutered was a 1.5 hour drive to Kuala Lumpur.

A crucial ally for this mission was charitable pet rescuers who helped identify pet owners who needed the vet services and also to help keep the pet owners up to date on pet healthcare. An enthusiastic team of vet students and vets from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UPM also lend a hand for the mission. SPCA feels very grateful for their time.

SPCA hopes that these new seed of knowledge on pet ownership and the benefits of spay/neuter will propagate throughout the town of Bentong. Through MissionHELP, the obvious benefits go to the pet owners and ultimately to the pets.
Vet students and pet owner having a chat

Happy pet owners waiting for their dog to recover from surgery.

Recovering dogs.

Lots of activity at the SPCA booth.

Helping People Help Animals

2007-09-26T12:28:00.000+08:00

MissionHELP by SPCA Selangor is all about helping people to help animals.

Since the scrapping of the thoughtless dog catching competition by Majlis Perbandaran Selayang (MPS), SPCA has launched MissionHELP: Selayang. Although the competition was scrapped, the problems of stray dogs are still a real issue in Selayang. And that’s where SPCA comes in. We are here to help them with their stray dogs problem, in a much more humane way.

Our main aims are to introduce a more humane way of catching dogs and managing their animal pound. Besides that, SPCA will push for more long-term solutions such as promoting spaying/neutering, public education campaigns on responsible pet ownership, and more effective legislations such as microchipping, differential licensing for neutered and unneutered pets, and heavier fines for pet abandonment.

Those wishing to volunteer their time and efforts for MissionHELP: Selayang, can email us at missionhelp@gmail.com