KUCHING: ‘Spin for Paws’ encourages the public to stay healthy through indoor workout during the current haze period while contributing to Save Our Strays (SOS) Kuching’s efforts in rescuing stray animals.
The event organised by SOS Kuching and Oscar Cycling from Sept 21 to 22 was held at Oscar Cycling in Saradise Kuching.
Founded in 2013, SOS Kuching aims to trap, neuter, vaccinate and release or re-home strays to reduce and manage stray dog population.
However due to the rabies outbreak in 2017, the organisation has set up a temporary emergency shelter (TES) that houses more than 400 dogs. Funding is required to sustain the shelter.
The monthly expense to rescue, re-home, spay/neuter and vaccinate strays in the region is approximately RM35,000 per month while the TES operations need RM20,000 per month.
The organisation solely relies on donations from the public in the form of money or in kind, and through fund-raising organisations.
Oscar Cycling instructor, Shanx, hoped that through Spin for Paws they could support SOS Kuching to take care of the welfare of the animals.
“It is not easy to be committed to helping animals that cannot help themselves. In Oscar Cycling, we promote healthy lifestyle in Kuching and at the same time help create awareness of the great things that SOS Kuching is doing.”
SOS Kuching president, Kitty Chin, stated that rabies is a serious issue and abandonment of animals is increasing. Many people have the perception that when they get rid of their pets, they are getting rid of their risk to getting infected by rabies.
“What many people do not realise is that they are contributing to the risk of spreading the deadly virus to other people. Therefore, we urge Kuchingites to work together to prevent the virus from spreading.
“We hope to make the public vaccinate and neuter their pets and not to dump their animals as they could be caught by the councils and put to sleep or worse being bitten by rabid dogs or cats,” she said.
She opined that owning a pet is just like having another family member.
“Don’t let them roam freely without supervision even for a few minutes. Other unvaccinated animal outside of your house compound might attack your pet.”
In addition to the two-day event, SOS Kuching is also selling open tickets at RM20 each and valid until December 31.
The organisation aims to raise a total of RM9,000 through this collaboration. The open tickets are available for sale at Animal World Kingdom, Oscar Cycling or directly message SOS Kuching FB Page https://web.facebook.com/s.o.skuching/
