KUALA LUMPUR: Every day, 67-year-old lorry driver Viriya Raman spends about RM200 of his own money to feed around 200 stray dogs and cats for three hours after work.
In this animal lover's view, hunger is not the biggest problem facing Malaysia's stray animals.
"The real issue is that people abandon their pets," he said when met recently, adding that he frequently receives calls from owners asking if they can leave behind dogs they no longer want after moving house or into condominiums.
His experience echoes concerns raised by Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM) president R. Kalaivanan, who said irresponsible pet ownership remains the main driver behind the country's growing stray population.
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"The biggest challenge is the pet owners themselves. Many do not neuter their pets, and when the animals become difficult to manage, they simply let them loose.
"They end up breeding on the streets, and the stray population keeps growing," he said.
Kalaivanan said feeding stray animals alone is not enough, stressing that population control requires neutering, vaccination and responsible adoption.
He said capturing stray animals without addressing breeding would only provide a temporary solution, as the remaining animals would continue reproducing.
To promote responsible pet ownership, SAFM and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) launched The Stray Love Project: Stray Animal Management Campaign at RiverCity, Jalan Ipoh, here on Sunday (July 5).
The campaign features pet adoption drives, vaccination, neutering awareness, pet licensing assistance and education on reporting animal cruelty.
Kalaivanan said adopters are also monitored after taking home an animal to ensure it is neutered, vaccinated and properly cared for.
"We don't want people to adopt today and abandon the animal tomorrow. Responsible ownership starts from the day they bring the animal home," he said.
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Launching the campaign, Batu MP P. Prabakaran said the initiative aims to give rescued strays a second chance at finding permanent homes.
"This association works with DBKL to rescue strays. They vaccinate them and organise adoption programmes to give these animals a second chance with a loving family," he said.
To encourage adoption, Prabakaran said he would sponsor the adoption fees for all dogs and cats rehomed during the event.
He also urged Malaysians to think carefully before keeping pets and not abandon them when circumstances change.
"Sometimes people keep dogs to guard their homes or factories, but later leave them to roam the streets. That's why programmes like this are important," he said.
Meanwhile, Viriya said he would continue feeding strays for as long as he is able, hoping more Malaysians would treat pets as lifelong responsibilities rather than temporary companions.
