KUCHING, JUNE 9: A more humane method may be implemented to curb the population of strays in Sarawak soon.
This, after several animal rights groups here are pushing for the no-kill policy to emulate Penang which became the first state to do so.
If successful, Sarawak will become the second state in the country to adopt the policy.
S.O.S President, Kitty Chin revealed that the initiative was actually almost implemented in Sarawak via the Catch, Neuter, Vaccine and Release (CNVR) programme in Kuching to reduce the number of strays.
“However the outbreak of rabies had disrupted its implementation.
“Some 1000 to 1500 dogs had already been vaccinated and neutered where they were fixed with a double collar through the S.O.S CNVR programme.
“In 2017, the programme was already under a test run phase but then rabies broke out and we had to curb the disease first,” she told TVS.
She explained that it was a collaborative effort by The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA), Save Our Strays (S.O.S) and Kuching South City Commission (MBKS).
She expressed hope that the relevant authorities here could reconsider the strategy in emulating many countries that been using the method in reducing the number of strays.
“In this instance priority should be on vaccination to first control rabies before moving to the no-kill policy,” she added.
Meanwhile, SSPCA President, Datin Dona Drury-Wee agreed that spaying is more effective in controlling the population of strays.
She revealed that the SSPCA, three ministries namely the Local Government and Housing ministry, the Modernisation of Agriculture minitry and the Native Land and Regional Development ministry had planned to establish a low-cost spay and neuter clinic to help subsidise dog owners in spaying their pets.
“However first we need to tackle the issue of rabies before introducing the CNVR method.
“All the strays if vaccinated and neutered have to be kept for 28 days before release, to ensure they are not infected,” she said.
She said that through spaying, the numbers of strays could be reduced even though she admitted that it requires time.
“We will try to persuade the government to implement the “No Kill Policy” as it has been proven to be affective with proper manpower,” she added.
For MBKS Councillor Patrick Song, the no-kill policy has always been the goal.
“Penang had a rabies outbreak years ago but after the disease was successfully eradicated, CNVR managed to be implemented so the same can also be done here.
“It is not impossible for Sarawak to do the same as government here is already considering its implementation,” said Song.
He also revealed that the move has received support from the Sarawak government which is giving it consideration.
Song expressed support for the plan as he believes that dog-culling is not the only solution in controlling the population of strays in the state.
