Abd Hamid (right) and Azmi showing this year’s dog tags.
Opting to adopt a dog over getting one from a pet shop contributes to responsible pet ownership, Klang mayor Datuk Abd Hamid Hussain says.
“Klang Royal City Council’s (MBDK) Canine Control Unit, under the Health Department’s purview, is encouraging people to adopt a dog from our shelter.
“It would give an animal that once roamed the streets a second chance and a safe, loving home,” Abd Hamid said after the Dog Licensing Programme held at Dewan Ambang Botanic 2, Bandar Botanic.
MBDK Health Department director Azmi Muji said MBDK’s animal shelter had dogs of all ages that had been picked up from the streets based on public complaints.
“We have veterinarians conducting checks on all dogs brought to the shelter at Bandar Sultan Suleiman, Port Klang.
“With so many dogs in the shelter, there is a good chance you will find the one that fits your family.
“After spending time at the shelter, you may also find that the pet you fall in love with is completely different from the one you thought you wanted.”
He said 90 dogs which had been relocated from the streets were now housed at the shelter.
Azmi said 10 dogs, mix-breed and mongrels, were adopted last year.
“We hope this Chinese New Year, people will adopt dogs from the city council’s shelter,” he added.
Azmi said adopting an adult dog could also be preferable as the animal was likely to know some basic commands or be house trained, which made life a lot easier once taken home.
At the dog licensing event, 95 owners each paid RM10 to have their dogs licensed while 32 canines were vaccinated.
MBDK issues licences for dogs three months or older.
The city council recorded details of each dog and offered owners advice on responsible pet ownership, vaccinations and deworming.
Azmi said the tags were important in differentiating licensed dogs from unlicensed ones.
“Owners bringing their dogs to be licensed have to show proof that their pets were vaccinated, by producing vaccination cards,” he said, adding that the dog tags are coloured red this year.
Meanwhile, Abd Hamid said it was cruel of pet owners to dump their dogs once the canines were no longer cute puppies or when they grew old.
He said some dog owners abandoned their pets due to reasons such as moving from a house into an apartment or that the pet food had become too expensive for them.
For details on dog licensing or adoption from the MBDK animal shelter, call 03-3375 5555 ext 7310.
