Chin said local authorities must be empowered with the tools and knowledge to create caring and compassionate communities.
CONTROL of stray and feral dogs and cats is a perennial problem.
As such, animal activists and welfare organisations have been promoting responsible pet ownership and the trap-neuter-release- manage (TNRM) approach among others.
However, these efforts have been fragmented and produce minimal results in terms of controlling the stray population.
Realising the complex nature of the issue, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Selangor has been trying to get all stakeholders to look into a holistic solution for decades but failed due to many factors including lack of interest and awareness on the matter.
In light of the discovery of some 100 emaciated dogs at the Kuala Langat Municipal Council pound earlier this month, SPCA Selangor’s effort in finding a solution to the problem is gaining traction.
Its chairman Christine Chin said the organisation would take the lead in establishing a training programme for council staff on proper dog catching techniques, animal husbandry and shelter management to prevent unnecessary suffering of the animals.
It has been in discussion with the Selangor government to empower the local authorities with the tools and knowledge to help create caring and compassionate communities to address the problem holistically.
However, putting the responsibility of controlling the population of stray animals solely on local authorities was inadequate, she added.
“The responsibility is parked under the vector and pest control unit at the municipal or city councils, where the staff are not trained to handle dogs and cats, or manage an animal pound.
“Due to the lack of knowledge and funds, these pounds cannot be expected to rehabilitate and rehome the animals in their care,” said Chin.
“Therefore, the animals are often euthanised to keep the pound manageable, much to the anger of the people.
“However, euthanasia is expensive too,” she said, adding that the method was also non-sustainable and heartbreaking.
Many factors contributed to the stray animal population, which needed to be addressed too, she added.
“Some are feral, while others are dumped by irresponsible pet owners.
“Some pet owners allow their dogs and cats that are not sterilised to roam freely.
“Many guard dogs at factories and construction sites are not neutered and left to roam freely, adding to its population.
“Kind people who feed the stray animals without spaying or neutering them are also exacerbating the problem by keeping the animals healthy enough to mate,” she said.
Chin said the Animal Welfare Board should play an important role in working with the local authorities to improve the management of stray animals and comply with the universal five freedoms of animals namely, freedom from hunger and thirst; from discomfort (environment); from pain, injury and disease; to express normal behaviour; and from fear and distress.
SPCA Selangor, which is a non-profit organisation, she said, was already running Stray Free Selangor programme with a vision to provide a home for every stray animal by focusing on high volume of spaying and neutering exercise and lobbying for humane, effective and sustainable ways to curb stray populations since 2017.
“Every local authority must have a subcommittee or unit to oversee the welfare of stray animals in their area of jurisdiction.
“Similarly, every residents association (RA) should have a subcommittee comprising animal lovers to look into the problem of stray animals in their neighbourhood.
“The animal welfare subcommittee in the local or city councils can reach out to animal rescuers or the RA subcommittee in their area of jurisdiction to help spay or neuter stray animals, rehome and promote responsible pet ownership.
“For instance, if there are strays in a neighbourhood, its RA subcommittee can look into the matter and work hand-in-hand with the local authority to address the problem.
“If the animals fail to be rehomed and there is no option other than for it to be euthanised, there must be a guideline to make sure that it is done in a humane manner,” she said.
For help with funding, Chin said the Local Government Development Ministry could look into imposing a fee on property developers to manage strays.
