Stray dogs roaming at papan landfill..(10th December 2024)--RONNIE CHIN/THE STAR
KLANG: Animal activists are not giving up on their push for the trap-neuter-release (TNR) method for managing stray animals, saying the authorities’ proposal to trap and rehome strays is unworkable.
Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better coordinator Kavitah Ganasan said it was unrealistic to expect the public to readily adopt street dogs that have been trapped and neutered.
Independent Aid for Protection and Welfare of Animals Penang president Choong Koon Yean said there was no large-scale, peer-reviewed evidence locally or globally that supported trap and rehome as a more effective or sustainable solution compared with trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR).
“While rehoming is always ideal, the reality is that it is simply not possible in a country overwhelmed by stray numbers, limited shelter space and low adoption rates.’’
She added that many of the animals were semi-feral or unsuitable for adoption.
They were responding to Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Kurup’s remark that the government preferred the trap and rehome method (TNRM) over TNR, as it was more effective.
While most countries practise TNVR, animal rescuers and activists say Malaysia needs trap-neuter-vaccinate-release-manage (TNVRM) instead.
Kavitah said dogs, especially, are looked upon with much disgust and disdain by certain quarters, so it is best for activists and feeders to manage these animals after they are neutered and released. She said rescuers and feeders have been managing colonies of neutered dogs for years.
Choong said TNVR has a proven track record as an effective tool to counter stray animal population growth.
“TNVR is globally recognised by the World Health Organisation, the World Organisation for Animal Health and numerous governments globally as the most humane and sustainable method for managing free-roaming animals.’’
She added that countries such as Singapore, Thailand and parts of the United States have adopted the method successfully, showing measurable reductions in stray populations, animal suffering and public complaints.
She said in Penang, her organisation is working with the state government on a TNVRM programme and it is showing results.
Recently, Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung, when debating Budget 2026 in Parliament, said the Housing and Local Government Ministry, which oversees the local councils that manage stray populations, has yet to answer if it supports trap-neuter-release-manage (TNRM).
Lee said the ongoing catch and cull method, used for decades, has failed.
“Does the ministry support the TNRM policy to reciprocate the urging of thousands of animal lovers in the country?’’ he asked.
He said there was a need for the ministry to develop a proper framework with guidelines that would apply across all local councils nationwide for uniform implementation.
