Move for responsible pet ownership

IT is clearly stated in the United Nations Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDG) 2030 that “We envisage a world... in which humanity lives in harmony with nature and in which... living creatures are protected.” Thus, ensuring the well-being of animals is a significant part of sustainable development.

However, there are many irresponsible pet owners who abandon their cats or dogs in public parks or remote areas without remorse or concern over the cruel fate awaiting these animals.

Left to fend for themselves, they would die due to starvation, crashes with moving vehicles, or diseases. Those that survive would be a nuisance to the humans living among them, unless the latter are caring people who would take care of them.

One of the greatest bane of having stray animals in human-populated areas is their unregulated breeding. The long term-solution for this would be to spay (females) or castrate (males) the animals.

It is also recommended for pet owners to get their animals neutered to prevent the births of unwanted litters.

Neutering is the most common surgical procedure performed on animals, particularly pet dogs and cats. It has tremendous health and behavioural benefits on these animals, but for some strange reason, this option is not discussed often or openly.

Animal rights groups worldwide are now advising owners to neuter their pets to ensure their well-being. The Humane Society of the United States, for instance, noted that spayed canines have a 23% longer lifespan compared to non-spayed ones while castrated canines have an 18% longer lifespan.

People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) has often pointed out that one non-spayed feline and her offspring can produce up to 370,000 kittens a year!

A study on neutering practices by Veterinary Practice, an online knowledge and information hub for veterinary professionals, noted that Britain has one of the highest canine neutering rates in the world with over 80% for both male and female dogs.

The same study highlighted that in the US, neutering is commonly done at eight weeks of the pet’s life.

However, there are mixed reactions in some countries in Europe for calls to make neutering of pets mandatory. It is mandatory in Belgium, however.

Mandatory pet neutering is fodder for thought in Malaysia. To make this initiative work, local veterinarians should be asked to pitch in by offering their services at a minimal cost. They could even set up mobile services to housing areas to make it convenient for owners to get their pets neutered.

The government could help by engaging local councils to work with the veterinarians. Providing tax incentives to veterinarians who perform the neutering procedures would be an added boost.

In the long run, the pet neutering drive could circumvent the running of animal shelters, which is not cost-effective because of various factors, including the need for resources like land and money to pay for manpower, buildings, utility bills and food.

Surgical neutering should therefore be considered as a necessary part of responsible pet ownership, as the benefits far outweigh the costs in the long run.

DR THANASEELAN RAJASAKRAN

Assistant professor

Faculty of Creative Industries

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman