Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 30 October 2023 – Every year in the month of October, Animal Welfare organisations all over the world celebrate World Animal Day as a day of advocating animal welfare and respecting the existence of animals. This year on 28 October 2023, SPCA Selangor organised their World Animal Day comeback at its premises at Jalan Kerja Ayer Lama, Ampang. The theme of the year is “Creating Caring and Compassionate Communities (CCCC)”.

CCCC is a dedicated initiative that fosters empathy, kindness and compassion as well as bridges communications and actionable gaps so that the council, residents, animal rescuers and relevant stakeholders will be able to work harmoniously to reduce stray animals and encourage adoption. One of the many efforts includes proposals for Municipal Councils with regard to the management of stray animals and implementation of animal freedom; freedom from hunger/thirst, discomfort, pain/injury/disease, fear/distress as well as freedom to express normal behaviour. CCCC also takes a strong stand in encouraging Municipal Pounds to provide education, spay/neuter and rehoming programs as opposed to the catch and kill approach.

With this in mind, CCCC strives to prioritise the following pillars of implementation:

1. Take the lead in establishing training workshops to train personnel to be responsible with proper dog-catching techniques and prevent unnecessary suffering.
2. Work with animal rescuers within Municipalities to assist in spaying/neuter and rehoming as well as being a vigilante within their residential community.
3. Continue efforts for the Stray Free Selangor (SFS) program with Royal Patron, DYMM Tengku Permaisuri Selangor.
4. Promote Responsible Pet Ownership (RPO) amongst pet owners and provide proper shelter management for Municipal Council’s workers.
5. Create community shelters within Tamans.
6. Work with relevant communities to allow Tap-Neuter-Return (TNR) stray animals with acceptable SOP whereby rescuers can continue to feed, treat and manage them.
7. Encourage commercial enterprises to be responsible and spay/neuter stray animals that they keep within or surrounding their commercial compound.

World Animal Day at SPCA Selangor also commemorates Potong Royong, a large-scale on-ground project that implements spay and neutering of stray animals. The aim is to reduce the number of stray animals, enhance public health and safety as well as foster responsibility among pet owners. As of October 2023, a total of 1,349 animals have been spayed or neutered across locations such as Rawang, Hulu Langat and Klang. The project would not have been successful if it weren’t for the support of DYMM Tengku Permaisuri Selangor, like-minded organisations, team members and volunteers. During World Animal Day, the public could take a closer look and understand Potong Royong better at the exhibition area at SPCA Selangor.

World Animal Day at SPCA Selangor began with the arrival of VIPs, followed by the Royal Patron, DYMM Tengku Permaisuri Selangor alongside Tengku Permaisuri Hajah Norashikin.

The occasion was also supported by Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Berhad  (EXIM Bank Malaysia) and its Chief Strategy Officer, Dr Liza Mydin made a contribution of RM15,000, on behalf of the Bank, to SPCA Selangor and the World Animal Day. The volunteers from the Bank were present and lent a helping hand at the event.

Other showcases featured for the day include the Batang Kali Bomba Unit K9 and an Appreciation Ceremony for Potong Royong volunteers, Potong Royong sponsors, SPCA sponsors, Batang Kali Cadaver Dogs and the brave rescuers who saved a dog stuck on a cliff earlier this year. The Press Conference for CCCC and Potong Royong was also held with the presence of Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Ms Christine, Dr Natasha Lee, Dr Farina, and Dr Ima.

Other activities for the public included:

• MPAJ Licensing and neutering registration
• Pet merchandise for sale
• Potong Royong exhibition
• Games and fun activities
• Pet insurance registration booth
• Busker performance from 12pm – 4pm
• Dog Training Tips by Rubini Maruthian, ABCDT, Dog Gone Good Training

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For further information, please contact SPCA Selangor:

Kelvin           :        kelvin@spca.org.my

Cozanne      :        cozanne.estrella@spca.org.my

Address : SPCA Selangor, Jalan Kerja Ayer Lama, 68000 Ampang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan.

About EXIM Bank of Malaysia Berhad

The Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Berhad (EXIM Bank) was incorporated on 29 August 1995 and is wholly-owned by the Government of Malaysia. The Bank has assisted a diverse range of Malaysian business in various sectors in their global ventures.  EXIM Bank takes pride in meeting its mandated role of stimulating and enhancing the competitiveness of Malaysian industries for exports and investments globally via the provisioning of internationally and domestically competitive banking and insurance products and advisory services. The Bank also offers Shariah-compliant financing and Takaful instruments. For more information, visit www.exim.com.my.