KUCHING: Kuching is the only city in the country where the local government has a formal agreement with an NGO (non-governmental organisation) to promote animal welfare.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said that through the arrangement, Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) took all abandoned, abused and unwanted animals collected by the local councils.
“Our partnership has included joint neutering programmes under SSPCA’s Capture, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return programme as a means to curb the population of stray animals.
“Most recently, the SSPCA has been working with the state government to address the rabies outbreak,” he said in his text of speech read out by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas when representing Abang Johari at SSPCA 55th Emerald Anniversary Charity Gala Dinner at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) last Monday.
Johari added the partnership that has been built with SSPCA must extend to include other sectors of society, including business, industry and civil society.
“I call upon the business and industry sectors in particular, to support and join our efforts to make Kuching and Sarawak a model state in terms of animal welfare,” he said.
According to Johari, since the onset of the rabies outbreak, SSPCA has been working with the state government, particularly in the affected areas, to provide advice to the public on rabies, and the do’s and don’ts to avoid the spread of the disease.
Hence, he said, they have much to do to strengthen animal welfare in Sarawak.
“Education is a key; we have to teach the younger generation to care for animals. I understand that SSPCA has been giving talks at schools and institutions of higher learning to educate the next generation on the need to care for the animals. I commend them for this.
“Enforcement is also a key; we are seeing more and more reports on animal abuse, and more pets being abandoned on the streets and markets in Kuching.
“As we move towards achieving a developed state status by 2030, we need to address these issues and nurture a culture of care and concern for animals,” he explained.
Johari added that it was good to know that SSPCA members come from all walks of life and share the same goal- to speak for the animals who share our home.
He also stressed that there was probably no action more noble than to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Also present were Mayor of Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai and President of SSPCA, Datin Dona Drury-Wee.
