Welfare groups urge owners to prepare pets for floods

Yeoh urges owners not to leave their pets behind during a flood, thinking they can get them later.

PET owners are urged to prepare emergency kits and keep digital records ahead of the monsoon season to ensure their pets are not abandoned during floods.

Animal welfare groups said preparation was key – from stocking up on essential supplies to keeping digital records that aid rescuers in identifying missing pets.

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Selangor general manager Kelvin Cheah advised owners to prepare at least three to seven days’ worth of food, drinking water and medication as well as essentials such as leashes and carriers.

“Keeping digital records, including recent photos of yourself with your pets, showing their identifiable markings, is another good precaution.

“Such records are easily accessible and help rescuers identify your pets if they get lost,” he said.

Cheah also stressed the importance of training pets to accept handling by strangers – a practice known as cooperative husbandry training.

Cheah advises pet owners to prepare basic supplies in advance.

“This is vital during rescue operations.

“An animal that is usually friendly may react differently during a disaster, hence complicating rescue efforts.”

Cheah also cautioned owners against leaving pets chained or confined, as the animals could become trapped when floodwaters rise.

“Always consider how they might escape if you are not around.

“Also, never force your pets to swim through floodwaters as this can be dangerous.”

PAWS Animal Welfare Society senior coordinator Jonathan Yeoh echoed similar advice, warning owners against leaving their pets behind on the assumption that they could return for them later.

“Access may be blocked and you may not be able to retrieve them.

“Instead, keep a ready-to-go emergency kit containing essential pet supplies so you can evacuate quickly,” he said.

Yeoh said cats tend to seek shelter in dark, confined spaces, putting them at risk of drowning during floods.

“Many dogs can swim but they are vulnerable to exhaustion and hypothermia.

“Once floodwaters recede, look out for water-borne infections and physical injuries on the animals.”

Meanwhile, Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better Canine Welfare Society president Wani Muthiah urged owners to ensure their pets’ microchip details were up to date.

She also urged owners to put collars with their contact details on pets so they could be identified and returned if lost.