SERIAN, April 8: A total of 44 pet cats and dogs were neutered on Wednesday (April 6) at SJK Chung Hua Serian school hall in a subsidised neutering campaign organised by the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS) together with Sarawak Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA), the Immune Belt Enforcement Team (IBET) and Serian Council.
The neutering campaign was a continuation of the mass anti-rabies vaccination, microchipping and dog licensing programme held last Saturday at the Serian community hall and DVSS headquarters which saw over 300 dogs being vaccinated against rabies.
SSPCA president Datin Dona Drury Wee emphasised that vaccination and neutering are the humane methods for the eradication of rabies.
“As we move to the endemic stage now, SSPCA hopes to be able to partner with more local councils to reintroduce the subsidised neutering campaigns.
“We were very happy to engage with the responsible pet owners of Serian, who understand the need to prevent unplanned pet pregnancies,” she said in a statement today following the neutering programme at SJK Chung Hua Serian.
Sarawak Veterinary Association (SVA) president Dr Kelvin Chai Chung Yan added that pet ownership is about responsibility towards the animal, including their offspring.
“Neutering can help to solve not just your problem, but also helps to prevent your pet from potential life threatening diseases like pyometra and tumours,” he said.
Dr Chai together with four vets from Kuching had volunteered their time and expertise to perform the subsidised neutering procedures from 9am to 5pm during the programme.
Mona Manap, chief executive officer (CEO) of Place Borneo Sdn Bhd, the co-organiser of Rabies in Borneo Conference 2022, pointed out that the benefits of neutering and vaccinating pets against rabies still needs awareness amongst the communities in Sarawak.
“That is why we have created the Rabies in Borneo Conference together with DVS Sarawak. We hope to continue educating the public and to volunteer in more neutering and vaccination programmes by the government and DVS Sarawak,” she said.
DVS Sarawak plans to organise and run several more anti-rabies programmes and neutering programmes throughout this year, to provide the public with easy access to vaccination, dog-licensing, microchipping and neutering. — DayakDaily
