Get a dog tag to avoid paw-blems

MBPP’s Veterinary Unit is located along River Road in Sungai Pinang, Penang.

Applying for a licence is so easy that owners should get their pets registered to keep them safe from trouble outdoors

SINCE my dog’s only goal in life is to stay indoors and laze in a corner, I never bothered to get her a licence.

However, did you know that in Malaysia, it’s a legal requirement to have licence to own dogs?

This applies even with the dog kept within a home compound.

Recently, I had to go to Kuala Lumpur for a week and was worried about leaving my dog Lakshmi at home, so I decided to take her along.

Aware of her status of being an unlicensed dog, I decided to get a licence for her.

Life can throw us all sorts of predicaments, and I did not want her to be regarded as a stray in the event we were separated while in Kuala Lumpur.

The idea of going to the Penang Island City Council’s (MBPP) Veterinary Unit on River Road to apply for the licence was daunting.

One may apply online for the licence but MBPP’s website indicated that I would be contacted to collect the tag in a week or so.

The writer’s dog Lakshmi wearing the tag issued by the city council.

Since I was pressed for time before my trip, I went to the Veterinary Unit.

MBPP’s website indicated to bring along my identification card, a photo of my dog pictured with me and a utility bill as proof that I live in a landed property.

Currently, the council won’t issue dog licences to high-rise residents.

When I last obtained a dog licence, I had to drive in circles, looking for parking near MBPP.

Driving in Penang, especially in George Town, requires advanced planning on where to park, so I expected to circle around when I headed to the Veterinary Unit.

Imagine my delight when I found ample free parking there.

After walking in, I didn’t realise that I needed to ring a bell for service and waited a while for a staffer.

A closeup of the clover-shaped dog tag.

I was handed a form to fill up and told to wait as they processed my application.

I paid the RM10 for the licence for one year.

Less than five minutes later, I was given the dog tag.

I had expected red tape. I had expected to be turned away and told to apply online. I had expected to be told to return later to collect the dog tag.

The whole process took only 15 minutes!

I was so impressed by the unit’s efficiency in processing my application that I would like to encourage all dog owners to get the licence too.

The process of affixing the green, clover-shaped tag on my dog took even longer than my application process.

She, however, seems to understand the tag is important and has been strutting around since I managed to put it on.

Nevertheless, even if your dog has a tag on, it doesn’t mean she is free to stray from home and roam outside.

Local authorities are entitled catch any dog found roaming around unsupervised, so never allow your dog to run off leash.