ANIMAL welfare awareness took centre stage at Kian Kok Middle School on Sept 21, when the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Kota Kinabalu (SPCAKK) held an awareness talk and charity sale for the school community.
The programme, which ran from 7.10am to 4pm, featured SPCAKK Vice President Faridah Malai, who spoke to students about responsible pet ownership and the importance of sterilising pets.
SPCAKK expressed its appreciation to Principal Goh Teck Seng for supporting animal welfare and giving the organisation an opportunity to share the message with the school community.
The organisation stressed that irresponsible pet ownership remains one of the root causes of the stray animal problem.
Being a responsible pet owner, it said, goes beyond providing food, shelter and basic care.
It also means taking responsibility for preventing unwanted litters by having pets sterilised.
SPCAKK also thanked Vice Principal Ong King Loong for coordinating arrangements for the awareness talk, as well as Teacher Teh Poh Suan for helping to organise and set up a poster exhibition.
The exhibition gave students an opportunity to learn more about SPCAKK’s work and the importance of animal welfare.
Teachers, students and school support staff also supported the charity sale by purchasing SPCAKK merchandise, helping to raise RM2,140 for the organisation.
The funds will be used to support the care and maintenance of animals at the SPCAKK shelter, including food, sterilisation and medical treatment.
For some students, however, the day’s programme was about more than simply buying merchandise or attending a talk.
Many said it was their first time learning about SPCAKK and discovering that an organisation exists specifically to care for animals in need.
Some students even enthusiastically asked SPCAKK to return to the school next year.
Such responses, the organisation said, were particularly encouraging as they showed that young people were interested in learning about animal welfare and wanted to help animals.
Schools can play an important role in shaping that attitude.
While academic education prepares students for their future, lessons about compassion, responsibility and respect for life can also influence how they treat vulnerable animals and the communities around them.
Responsible pet ownership begins with understanding that taking an animal home is a long-term commitment.
Providing food and shelter is only part of that responsibility. Owners must also ensure their pets receive proper medical care, are safely contained and are sterilised to help prevent unwanted births.
When more owners take responsibility for their animals, fewer unwanted pets are likely to end up abandoned or roaming the streets.
SPCAKK said it hoped continued cooperation with schools would help nurture greater awareness among younger generations.
Its message remains simple: protecting animals begins with responsible choices by the people who care for them.
Let us continue to work together to protect vulnerable lives with compassion and give more animals the opportunity to live safely, with dignity and hope.
