GOPENG: The Perak state government is planning to expand its subsidised neutering programmes to areas with limited access to veterinary services, says Sandrea Ng.
The state housing and local government committee chairman said the Perak Pawsitive Initiative, which started in 2024, would be expanded to areas including the Manjung and Kerian districts, where more communities could benefit from such services.
At the same time, she stressed that the state could not rely solely on awareness campaigns and subsidies to address the issue of stray animals.
“If we truly want to resolve the issue of stray animals, we must move forward through a combination of education, awareness, subsidies, policies and regulations.
“The state is reviewing several improvements to local authority dog licensing by-laws, including proposals to introduce different dog licence rates as an incentive for owners to neuter their pets,” she said on Sunday (May 24).
Ng said this in her speech at the Perak Pawsitive Initiative held at the Lawan Kuda multi-purpose hall here.
Ng said since 2024, a total of 1,651 dogs and cats have been neutered under the initiative.
She said the figure, recorded up to April this year, was achieved through collaboration between NGOs, local authorities, veterinary clinics and local communities under subsidised neutering campaigns statewide.
“During the same period, 1,220 dog licences were also issued by local authorities during these programmes.
“These figures are not merely statistics.
“Behind every number lies the effort, sacrifice and cooperation of many parties working together to reduce the number of stray animals in the future,” she added.
Ng said the issue of stray animals was more complex than commonly perceived, involving irresponsible pet owners abandoning animals, rapid breeding rates and low public awareness regarding pet neutering.
She added that the state also faced challenges such as limited veterinary services in rural areas, a shortage of neutering slots and costly treatment expenses borne by pet owners and animal rescuers.
“If we rely solely on catching stray animals, this problem will never truly be resolved.
“If we genuinely want to see lasting change, we must focus on addressing the root causes,” she said.
Ng also said the programme marked the 10th Perak Pawsitive Initiative event since its implementation and the state had successfully formed its own neutering team based on local expertise in Perak.
