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THE Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) will embark on a trap, neuter, release, and manage (TNRM) pilot programme with Setia Alam dog rescuers to reduce the number of strays in the city.
Following a meeting with animal welfare groups and rescuers on Tuesday, Shah Alam Mayor Cheremi Tarman has also agreed to work with them on the the Creating Caring and Compassionate Communities with Municipal Councils (CCCC) project.
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Selangor chairman Christine Chin said the meeting was held after the uproar arising over by the council’s latest exercise to catch and kill strays.
"Municipal councils in Malaysia have for decades used the same catch-and-kill method to control all strays. Catch and kill is an abhorrent, cruel and ineffective method that has incurred the wrath of animal carers and rescuers,” Chin said.
"SPCA Selangor has long proposed a humane, compassionate and sustainable way to address the stray problem. It comprises a multi-pronged approach with various stakeholders from public and private sources.
"Under the guidance and support of Tengku Permaisuri Selangor, who is the royal patron of Stray Free Selangor under SPCA Selangor, Tengku and SPCA Selangor proposed the CCCC project.”
She also thanked Cheremi for bringing together the NGOs and animal rescuers together to address the problem of strays.
"The vision of CCCC is to reduce the stray population by working with NGOs, residents, animal rescuers, and various government stakeholders by promoting responsible pet ownership, massive subsidised spay and neuter projects and home via humane adoption,” said Chin.
"We aim to change municipal pounds into an education, spay and neuter clinic, a rehoming centre where residents can gather and work together within their communities and enjoy other animal activities, much like a mini SPCA," she said.
Chin said the mayor had also agreed to amend the text in municipal bylaws to eliminate the word “disposal” when referring to the reduction of strays.
"Animals which are ear-tipped after being spayed or neutered will not be caught and instead be cared for under this project,” said Chin.
"However, we are mindful that there are areas where this project will not be accepted and the TNRM project will only be conducted in areas the community accepts it.” – The Vibes, April 4, 2024