Adopt a pet to reduce strays, says pet enthusiast

KUALA LUMPUR: Pet lovers are encouraged to adopt a pet from various animal shelters to help reduce the number of strays, especially through non-governmental organisation pet adoption kiosks at the Pet World Malaysia 2016 exhibition.

Fairs & Events Management Sdn Bhd (FEMSB) Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Kan said adoption of pets through NGOs would start from RM50 depending on the type of pet chosen.

"If you adopt a pet, you only pay RM50 to RM60 to an NGO and by doing so, you help reduce the number of strays in the country.

"We also hope this yearly pet exhibition will help instil kindness toward animals in the Malaysian society as pets do become part of the family unit," Kan, an animal lover himself, told Bernama.

He was asked to comment about the high cost of pet trade and exploitation of pets by traders and breeders in the country in recent years.

Meanwhile, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Education and Events Officer, Arief Fauzy said when one adopt a pet at its shelter, they are also paying for vaccination and neutering fees.

"The adoption process requires the pet to be vaccinated and neutered before they are adopted, this we believe can educate the people of the best humane way possible to reduce the number of strays," he said.

Arief when met during the Pet World Malaysia exhibition said the shelter did this as a matter of protecting the possibility of having more strays.

He also added that SPCA would evaluate the lifestyle of those who wished to adopt a pet to decide whether a cat or dog would be the best choice.

"People come in with a specific idea in mind over what kind of pet they desired, therefore we (SPCA) will interview them to determine their lifestyle and try to associate them with the most appropriate pet.

"Sometimes people may come with a choice of dog they want but realise that it may not suit their way of life," he added.

The 9th Pet World Malaysia exhibition is organised by FEMSB and held from June 10 to 12 at the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre with an entrance fee of RM15. — Bernama