Mahatma Ghandi once said, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." By this yardstick, many countries will still have a long way to go before achieving the status of a great nation.

The 4th of October is World Animal Day. It was started in 1931 at a convention of Ecologists in Florence, Italy to high light the plight of endangered species. Over the years, animal lovers around the world have used this opportunity to highlight the plight of unnecessary suffering in all animals. It is a time for the human race to reflect on the welfare of all our animal friends and how we can work towards a harmonious coexistence.

In Kota Kinabalu, members of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Kota Kinabalu (SPCA KK) have been busy coordinating a neutering and responsible pet ownership campaign in conjunction with this world event. SPCA KK is an NGO formed three years ago to help the general public to be responsible Pet Owners, promote the advantages of pet neutering, respond to public report on animal cruelty, run pet adoption program and lobbying the government towards more effective legislation and humane enforcement.

Their President, Mohammad Iskandar Shah Ali who is an Environmental Scientist by training lamented on the immense problems of strays and irresponsible pet ownership in many societies including ours. There are no exact figures on the number of strays in Kota Kinabalu but a rough estimate by various sources have put the figure at around 100,000. (Stray is defined as one that is not currently under direct control or is currently not restricted by a physical barrier.)

The large population of stray cats and dogs is the direct result of uncontrolled births. There are simply not enough homes for these pets and that is how they end up on the streets as strays.

Mohammad Iskandar Ali went on to highlight how quickly these pets can multiply if left unchecked.

If two cats and their offspring are allowed to reproduce freely, there will be 12 kittens (3 litters) after one year; 144 kittens and cats after two years; 1728 after three years and 20,736 after 4 years!

For dogs, if two are to reproduce freely, there will be 16 puppies (2 litters) after one year, 128 puppies and dogs after two years, 512 after three years and 2048 after 4 years!

At this rate of reproduction, it is therefore not surprising that countless of these animals are abandoned and destined to a life of suffering and misery.

The sufferings they have to endure are many. These include malnutrition, diseases, injury through traffic accidents, and injury through fighting and abusive treatment by humans. Attempts to control the population may also present significant welfare problems, including inhumane methods of killing, cruel methods of catching and poorly equipped and managed holding facilities. Millions have to be euthanized each year because animal shelters around the world are simply overwhelmed by the large numbers of unwanted pets.

The mass killing of stray dogs and cats through inhumane methods is unfortunately often used as an attempt to control the overpopulation. Mohammad Iskandar said that, this approach has been shown in many countries to be ineffective because it does not address the source of the problem and yet this cruel, unethical and ineffective method is being used repeatedly on an indefinite basis.

He pointed out that the most effective way to this problem is to alter the human mentality and behaviour towards how they treat and control the breeding of their pets through education.

The creation of awareness and acceptance of neutering and spaying of pets is accepted worldwide to be the most effective way in countering pet overpopulation. The SPCA KK under the stewardship of Mohammad Iskandar Ali is fully committed to this role.

Spaying (for females) and neutering (for males) are surgical procedures used to prevent pets from reproducing. These procedures are done under anaesthesia and only last for about 30 to 45 minutes. Thereafter these animals are usually discharged the same day and are back to their usual lifestyle within one to two days.

The idea of neutering and spaying of pets amongst the ill informed public have always been met with some degree of resistance because of the myths associated with these procedures.

One of these misconceptions is the belief that a neutered dog will not be a good protector of their home and family. This is not true. Dogs have a basic instinct to guard and protect their loved ones and this instinct is not altered by neutering. In fact, a good consequence following such an operation is that they are less irritable, more likely to stay home and not get into fights when there are bitches in heat.

There is also the misconception that pets will become lazy and fat after the procedure. In fact, proper nutrition and exercise are what will keep ones pet at a healthy weight and level of fitness.

Many owners are reluctant to spay or neuter their loved pets because they are afraid that they may take away a part of their pets' fulfilment in life. Actually, there is no evidence whatsoever to support this belief. Cats and dogs are people orientated. They seek human companionship and look to their owners for happiness and personal fulfilment. This can be vouched for by many owners who have neutered and spayed their pets.

The Humane Society International, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Kennel Club and many other international animal welfare organisations have agreed that spaying and neutering of pets are safe and desirable.

Neutering in fact has a number of health benefits. It eliminates the risk of testicular tumours, transmissible venereal tumours (TVT) and greatly reduces the risk of prostate enlargement and perianal adenomas.

Spaying prevents the bitch from coming into season and eliminates the problems of cystic ovaries, false pregnancies, pyometra (Infection inside womb), uterine cancer, irregular heat cycles, and the inconvenience in keeping her confined during estrus. It also reduces mammary tumours by seven fold.

During their campaign on the 4th and 11th October 2009, SPCA KK will be giving free counselling and advice to the general public on Responsible Pet Ownership, spaying and neutering. Discount vouchers will be given out to pet owners who are interested to neuter or spay their animals. These vouchers will be valid for 90 days. This campaign is supported by all the private local Veterinarians. Each Veterinary practice will be allocated a quota and cases will be accepted on a first come first serve basis. The campaign will be held over two Sundays. On the 4th October 2009, members of SPCA KK will be stationed at the Atrium of City Mall from 10am to 4pm and on the 11th October 2009; they will be at Gaya Street from 7am to 12noon. SPCA KK will also be having a membership drive, fund raising and promoting adoption of recued animals on those two occasions.

SPCA KK is the youngest animal welfare society in Malaysia and it is lacking in many facilities and resources to function effectively. Mohammad Iskandar reiterated that the society is currently without a vital shelter for the injured and rescued animals. A shelter, amongst other functions is a place for healing and screening of rescued animals to prepare them for adoption and a better future. Dedicated members of SPCA KK are presently stretching themselves every day to care for the sick and abandoned animals at different parts of the city. It is very labour intensive and not resource efficient. A shelter will help to minimise these laborious tasks and also act as a centre to coordinate the various necessary activities of the Society.

SPCA KK will be grateful for any form of assistance from the general public to help realise the Society's goal of setting up such a shelter and to help propel our country to the status of a great nation.

Posted by webmaster on 30 Sep 2009, Wed