CONTROLLING stray dog populations requires more than getting animals off the streets; sterilisation, vaccination and responsible pet ownership play equally important roles in addressing the problem.
Social Hero Foundation trustee Datuk Seri Teo Shiok Fu said the foundation was pleased to continue working with Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) on its stray dog management initiative which began in 2024.
He said the latest programme involving 200 stray dogs was the sixth instalment of the initiative, following five previous programmes that saw 932 dogs sterilised and handed over to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for adoption.
Teo said the programme involved trapping, neutering and rehoming the animals, alongside health checks and treatment.
“The dogs are also given core vaccinations, including rabies vaccines, as well as treatment against ticks and fleas before being offered for adoption.
“This is important because people adopting dogs would otherwise have to spend between RM200 and RM300 for vaccinations and other treatments,” he told StarMetro.
He said the programme was funded by MBJB, with the foundation invited to help implement it together with participating veterinary practitioners and volunteers.
Teo described it as a well-planned initiative that addressed both animal welfare and community safety, adding that reducing stray populations helped lower the risk of diseases and public complaints.
“Since we started the programme, the number of stray dogs captured within MBJB jurisdiction has decreased, which shows that our effort is getting better for both strays and the public,” he added.
Teo expressed hope that the initiative could be expanded to other local authorities in Johor, particularly through a coordinated approach involving urban, village and Orang Asli communities.
He added that the foundation welcomed the state government’s efforts to develop a comprehensive management plan and standard operating procedures for stray animal operations.
Meanwhile, veterinarian Dr Daniel Wilfred said prospective pet owners must conduct proper research before deciding to bring an animal into their homes.
“They must know what they are getting into and understand the responsibilities involved in keeping a pet,” he said.
He said owners who failed to vaccinate their pets or allowed them to roam freely exposed the animals and surrounding communities to various health risks.
Dr Daniel added that diseases and parasites, including those spread through ticks and fleas, could affect animal health and potentially create problems for people living nearby.
He also highlighted the problem of dogs being abandoned by construction companies after projects end.
He said some companies took in dogs to guard construction sites but left them behind once work concluded, contributing to the stray animal population.
Another veterinarian Dr Daryl Lum said sterilisation was important in preventing unwanted litters, which were among the main reasons pets end up abandoned.
He said responsible ownership also involved ensuring that dogs are properly managed and behave appropriately when taken into public areas.
“Dog owners must be responsible and practise proper dog etiquette, particularly when bringing their pets into public spaces,” he said.
Both veterinarians agreed that responsible pet ownership, along with sustained sterilisation and vaccination efforts, were essential in reducing stray numbers and creating safer communities.
